Okay, let’s dive into some kitchen comfort, friends! I’ll never forget the first time I made these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars. It was a chaotic Tuesday, school lunches were packed, and I was staring at the pantry wondering what on earth to make for a quick dessert that wouldn’t involve a box mix. I stumbled upon a bag of pecans and had a lightbulb moment. Could I make something that tasted like pecan pie, but in bar form? The answer, thankfully, was a resounding YES. My family devoured them, and they’ve been a requested treat ever since. These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are a dinnertime win for sure!

What really sealed the deal for me with these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars was how easy they were to adapt to everyone’s preferences. My youngest loves extra pecans, my oldest craves the salty-sweet combo, and my husband just wants something comforting after a long day. It’s a recipe that works for ALL of us!

This recipe is all about bringing family comfort without the stress. We busy moms have enough on our plates, so let’s keep our desserts simple and satisfying, shall we? I invite you to join me in creating these comforting Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars for your own family. They are an easy pecan pie bars recipe even your kids can help with.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Trust me, this Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! No worries if you don’t have maple syrup – I use brown sugar for extra comfort in my Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars. You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. This Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive, making it a budget-friendly dessert.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – This forms the base of our crust.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed – Cold butter is key for a flaky crust!
1/4 cup granulated sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
1/4 teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavors in the crust.
4-6 tablespoons ice water – Add gradually until the dough comes together.
1 cup packed light brown sugar – For that classic pecan pie sweetness.
1/2 cup maple syrup – Adds warmth and depth of flavor. I like to use a darker syrup for extra richness.
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted – Helps create a smooth and luscious filling.
2 large eggs – Binds the filling together.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a hint of warmth. My family gets extra comfort when I add a little more!
1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness.
2 cups pecan halves – The star of the show! You can use chopped pecans if you prefer.
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling – This really elevates the Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars!

Let’s Make it Happen!

First, let’s make the crust. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix!
Press the dough into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan.
Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Here’s where I used to struggle with my Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars – learn from my experience! Make sure the crust is lightly golden before adding the filling.
Now, let’s make the filling. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
Stir in the pecan halves.
Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust. Don’t worry if your Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars looks a little uneven at this point.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Your Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars should smell amazing by now.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving. This is the secret ingredient to truly delicious salted pecan bars.

In my busy kitchen, this comforting Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars usually takes about an hour from start to finish, including baking time. While your Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars is cooking, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch! Check out this salted maple pecan pie bars – Blue Bowl for more inspiration!

How We Love to Eat This!

The kids devour this comforting Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm bars and cold ice cream are a match made in heaven! It makes the pecan maple bars extra special.

These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast! They are also a hit at potlucks and gatherings. They are also great as a maple pecan dessert bars.

I love to make a batch of these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars on Sunday and have them for snacks throughout the week. They are great for packing in lunchboxes or enjoying with a cup of coffee in the afternoon. For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out these Halloween Oreo brownie bars.

Presentation-wise, I like to cut the bars into neat squares and arrange them on a platter. A sprinkle of extra flaky sea salt adds a touch of elegance. This comforting **Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars** reminds me of another family favorite… You can also drizzle some extra maple syrup over the top for an extra touch of sweetness.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Is this Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars really filling enough for growing kids? Absolutely! The pecans provide healthy fats and protein, and the crust adds some carbohydrates for energy. It’s a satisfying treat that will keep them going.
What if my picky eater won’t try this Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars? Try cutting the bars into smaller pieces and serving them with a dip, like whipped cream or chocolate sauce. Sometimes, a little extra fun can entice picky eaters to try something new. If your kids love this hearty recipe, they’ll go crazy for these Halloween Oreo brownie bars.
Can I meal prep this Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars for busy weeks ahead? Yes! These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I freeze these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars? Absolutely! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and they can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I use a different type of nut? While pecans are the traditional choice, you could also use walnuts or almonds. Just be sure to adjust the baking time as needed.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Be sure to check the label to ensure it contains xanthan gum, which will help bind the dough together.
What if I don’t have maple syrup? You can substitute it with corn syrup or honey. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars support my family’s comfort food goals because they are simple, satisfying, and made with wholesome ingredients. They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and the pecan pie filling is so incredibly delicious.

Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars Comfort Hacks

Use a food processor to quickly make the crust. It saves time and effort!
Toast the pecans before adding them to the filling. This enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch.
Don’t overbake the bars. They should be set but still slightly soft in the center.

Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars Variations

Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Bars: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the filling.
Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars: Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon to the filling.
Spiced Pecan Pie Bars: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the filling.

My youngest prefers the chocolate chip version, while my oldest loves the bourbon version. I encourage you to make this recipe your own and find your family’s favorite variations. Pinch of Yum has a great version as well.

I hope these Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars bring your family as much joy and comfort as they have brought mine. Remember, cooking for your family doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be a fun and rewarding experience! Give it a try and see how easy pecan pie bars can brighten up your day!

I hope you enjoy these satisfying Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars!

Recipe adapted from: Maple Pecan Pie Bars

Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars

Print Recipe

These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are a delightful twist on a classic dessert, combining the rich flavors of maple and pecans with a hint of salt. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing!

Author: Beatriz
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4-6 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups pecan halves, roughly chopped
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Press the dough into a 9×13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, pressing evenly across the bottom.
Pre-bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Make the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, and melted butter until smooth.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined. Stir in the salt and chopped pecans.
Pour the pecan filling over the pre-baked crust.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

Serve these bars slightly chilled or at room temperature. For an extra touch, drizzle with additional maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar.