Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars
Buttery blondie bars studded with toasted pecans and swirled with maple syrup, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrast. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (2 sticks) melted 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 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) melted unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp for topping flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup melted unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar until combined and glossy.
- Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs and 1 tbsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans.
- Step 6: Pour half of the blondie batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
- Step 7: Drizzle 1/4 cup pure maple syrup over the batter, then dollop the remaining batter on top and gently swirl with a knife for marbled effect.
- Step 8: Sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the top.
- Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 10: Let cool completely in pan before cutting into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars?
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 Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars?
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 Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars 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 Salted Maple Pecan Blondie Bars?
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.
