Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt
Dense and chewy blondie bars enriched with toasted pecans and sweet maple syrup, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for balance. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers (1 stick) unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, large eggs into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup, packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup, chopped toasted pecans
- 1 tsp, for topping flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: Melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup packed brown sugar until smooth.
- Step 3: Add 2 large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each, then stir in 2 tbsp pure maple syrup and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture gently until just combined, then fold in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans.
- Step 6: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt over the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 8: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out using the parchment overhang and cutting into 12 bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maple-Pecan Blondie Bars with Sea Salt?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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