Maple Pecan Bars are a type of pecan bar adapted from a recipe I originally found on Family Fun. This recipe is for an 8 inch pan, so if you want a 13x9 inch pan you can double it. There's a similar version for honey pecan bars, so if you don't have maple syrup you might consider the honey bars.
Recipe
Maple Pecan Bars
Pecan pie bars made with maple syrup
Ingredients
Crust
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter soft but cool
- 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup oats quick or old-fashioned
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon cold water
Filling
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- Tiny pinch of salt optional
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans toasted and coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch square metal pan with foil and spray the foil with cooking spray (or use non-stick).
- Mix the softened butter, sugar, and salt together with a wooden spoon. Stir in the oats. Add the flour and stir with the spoon until crumbly, finishing it off with your fingers if needed to make sure it’s mixed. Sprinkle in some water. Press crumbles into bottom of pan and bake on center rack for 15 minutes. Let cool.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in the tiny pinch of salt (if using) maple syrup, brown sugar and cream. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for no more than 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and pecans. Pour the maple pecan filling over the crust, spreading it evenly with a spoon.
- Bake the bars on the center oven rack for 15 minutes. Transfer the bars, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate the bars for 1 to 2 hours before slicing.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Ginny says
I absolutely love pecan pie, & bars (cut in smaller pieces), but this recipe sounds just as good & less hazardous to one's health! ;o) Looking forward to making it for Thanksgiving, IF I can wait that long! :o)
Anna says
Jen, that's a good question. Rebecca's bars are more like pecan pie. If I remember, they have more filling/topping. These bars have a higher nut to syrup ration and the stuff that surrounds the nuts is thicker and more caramel-like in consistency. There are no eggs to soften it up. I'd say it's more like the old "pecan triangle" recipe which uses honey, butter and (sometimes) cream.
Jen says
How do these compare to the Rebecca Rather Pecan Pie Bars?
Louise says
Don't these sound yummy. Thanks for sharing, Anna
KAnn says
Just love maple and nuts-these look fabulous!
Gloria says
These look mapleicious!!!!
Cheryl says
Yum! I love maple, and nuts = one to try!