Maple Pecan Brownie Bars with Sea Salt
Fudgy brownie bars enriched with toasted pecans and a hint of maple syrup, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty bite. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, granulated sugar 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 220 calories and feeds 16, 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 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup, chopped toasted pecans
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt 1 cup unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring occasionally until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar until combined.
- Step 4: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 6: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just combined.
- Step 7: Fold in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans and 2 tbsp pure maple syrup evenly.
- Step 8: Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 9: Sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the surface.
- Step 10: Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set but center is slightly fudgy; a toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs.
- Step 11: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple Pecan Brownie Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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 Brownie 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 Brownie 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 Brownie Bars with Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). 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 Brownie 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.
