🍁 The Easiest Way to Serve Pecan Pie This Thanksgiving

Love pecan pie, but not the mess of slicing it clean? These Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars give you all the gooey, buttery goodness of classic pecan pie in an easy-to-serve, make-ahead bar format.

No need for a pie dish. No complicated rolling. Just a rich maple pecan filling layered over a flaky crust, cut into squares, and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, need a pecan slab pie for a crowd, or want a pecan pie bar recipe with store-bought crust that’s still homemade-level delicious — this recipe delivers.

---

🧂 Ingredients for Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars

These bars are built with simple pantry staples and have that every-flavor Thanksgiving pie bar vibe in one bite: sweet, salty, nutty, buttery, and cozy.

For the Crust (Shortcut or Scratch):

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust (or homemade if preferred)
• OR 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt

For the Maple Pecan Filling:

• ¾ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
• Flaky sea salt for topping (optional but recommended)

---

👩‍🍳 How to Make Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars

This dessert is a no-fuss win for pecan desserts recipes, especially during the busy holiday season.

1. Prep the Oven and Pan
   Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for lifting.
2. Make the Crust
   • Using store-bought crust: Roll out the sheet to fit your pan. Press into the bottom and slightly up the sides.
   • From scratch: Combine flour, melted butter, powdered sugar, and salt. Press firmly into the pan base.
3. Blind Bake
   Bake crust for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and cool slightly.
4. Mix the Filling
   In a large bowl, whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and salt until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.
5. Assemble
   Pour the filling over the warm crust. Spread evenly.
6. Bake Again
   Bake 30–35 minutes until the filling is just set and the top is golden brown. A slight jiggle in the center is okay.
7. Cool & Chill
   Let bars cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.
8. Slice & Sprinkle
   Use the parchment to lift and slice into bars. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt right before serving.

✅ Pro tip: A chilled bar slices cleaner and keeps the filling firm for easier plating.

---

✨ Benefits of Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars

---

🍽️ Serving Ideas for Maple Pecan Pie Bars

These bars are rich, decadent, and made for showing off — here are some simple ways to serve them:

• Warm with vanilla ice cream for that hot-meets-cold wow factor
• Chilled with a drizzle of caramel for elegance and flavor
• Mini cuts on a dessert board for bite-sized nibbling
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery finish
• Stacked with parchment between layers for gifting or packing into boxes

You can even print a little pecan pie meme and tape it to the box if gifting. Bonus points if it says “I’m nuts for you.” 🥧

---

👩‍🍳 Why You Can Trust This Recipe

I’ve tested this pecan pie bar recipe with store-bought crust (and scratch versions) across multiple holidays — from Friendsgivings to full family Thanksgiving spreads.

Here’s why it works, every time:

• Tried with different crusts: I tested both store-bought pie dough and homemade shortbread-style crust to make sure you could choose what works best for your timeline.
• Balanced sweetness: Many pecan desserts can be overly sugary. This version uses real maple syrup to deepen the flavor without making it cloying.
• No soggy bottoms: Pre-baking the crust means it holds its shape, even after chilling — no mushy mess when slicing.
• Made for slicing and sharing: This is a real-world pecan dessert bar recipe made for real events — office potlucks, Thanksgiving tables, and dessert boards.

📌 I’m also baking with accessibility in mind:
These bars are easy to cut, serve, and scale, and can be prepped ahead for less stress during busy holiday weekends.

And yes — I’ve absolutely gifted them in a box with a pecan pie meme taped to the lid. It was a hit.

---

🙋‍♀️ FAQs About Pecan Pie Bars

Can I use corn syrup instead of maple?
You can, but maple syrup adds more depth and seasonal flavor.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend for the crust and filling.

How do I keep the bars from being too soft?
Be sure to chill them fully before slicing. This helps the filling set and keeps edges clean.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes — use a sheet pan for a pecan slab pie for a crowd style version and adjust bake time as needed.

How long do they keep?
Up to 5 days in the fridge. Store in an airtight container.

---

🍽️ Related Recipes You’ll Love

1. Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars

Creamy, spiced pumpkin cheesecake squares with a graham crust — perfect for fall parties and Thanksgiving.

2. Apple Crumble Cheesecake

A creamy baked cheesecake layered with cinnamon apples and buttery crumble topping.

3. Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Soft rolls filled with spiced apples and cinnamon sugar, topped with vanilla glaze.

4. Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip

A sweet, creamy, no-bake dip layered with caramel and crushed toffee — perfect for dipping apples or pretzels.

---

📌 “Sliceable, Stackable, and Seriously Addictive”

“If pecan pie and maple candy had a baby, it’d be these bars. Slice ‘em, chill ‘em, and pass the sea salt.”
👉 Follow our Pecan Desserts board on Pinterest

Print