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Perfect Crowd-Pleasing Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars

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These Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars are a happy accident turned into a crowd-pleasing dessert. With a buttery press-in crust, a rich maple-bourbon filling, and toasted pecans, they’re perfect for potlucks, holidays, and any gathering where you want to impress without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber preferred)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon (such as Bulleit or Maker’s Mark)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly spray the parchment with non-stick spray.
  2. Make the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Mix the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs until frothy and light yellow. Add maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  4. Assemble the bars: Spread pecan halves evenly over the warm crust. Pour the filling over the pecans, ensuring it seeps down around them. Gently shake the pan to distribute evenly.
  5. Bake on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but still has a slight jiggle in the center. The top should be golden brown and slightly crackly.
  6. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. Do not cut while warm.
  7. Use the parchment overhang to lift the block out of the pan. Place on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares (4 rows by 6 rows for 24 bars). Wipe the knife clean between cuts.

Notes

For clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe clean between each slice. The bars taste even better the next day as flavors meld. For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with 2 tablespoons apple cider or strong brewed coffee. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple bourbon pecan pie bars, pecan pie bars, maple bourbon dessert, crowd-pleasing dessert, potluck dessert, holiday bars, pecan bars

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/perfect-crowd-pleasing-maple-bourbon-pecan-pie-bars/