The Easiest Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars Recipe for Homemade Bliss

Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars blend rich, buttery textures with classic Southern comfort flavors that dance across your palate.

Sweet meets nutty in these delectable squares that transform traditional pie concepts into bite-sized indulgences.

Her signature approach elevates simple ingredients through precise culinary techniques and balanced proportions.

Each bar promises a symphony of caramelized sweetness and toasted nutty undertones that signal pure dessert magic.

Warm spices and golden-brown edges hint at deep, complex flavor profiles beyond ordinary bakery treats.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike appreciate how these bars simplify complex pie preparations without sacrificing authentic taste experiences.

Prepare to wow friends and family with a dessert that looks elegant yet feels wonderfully approachable:

Why Pecan Pie Bars Are So Addictive

• Craft a Delectable Dessert Shortcut: These pecan pie bars offer a simplified twist on the classic pie, making it easier to serve and enjoy without losing any of the traditional rich, buttery flavors.
• Elevate Texture with Layered Perfection: The recipe combines a crisp, tender shortbread-like crust with a gooey, caramelized pecan topping that creates a delightful contrast in every single bite.
• Maximize Flavor with Citrus Surprise: The unexpected addition of lemon and orange zest adds a bright, subtle complexity to the traditional sweet pecan filling, giving the bars a unique and sophisticated edge that sets them apart from ordinary desserts.

What’s in Ina’s Take on Pecan Bars

• Butter: Provides rich, tender base with smooth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create light, crisp crust.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and contributes to structural integrity.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• Flour: Fundamental dry ingredient for creating sturdy crust foundation.
• Baking Powder: Helps crust rise and achieve light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out deeper flavor profile.

• Butter: Creates smooth, rich caramel-like base for pecan mixture.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps bind ingredients.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like flavor and golden color.
• Lemon Zest, Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy undertones.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and helps create smooth texture.
• Pecans: Signature nut providing crunch and classic pie flavor.

• Plastic Wrap: Used for chilling and storing finished bars.

How to Bake Crisp and Buttery Bars

Step 1: Prepare Oven Space

Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Buttery Crust

• Unsalted butter (softened)
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture. Spread dough evenly across prepared baking sheet, creating slight raised edge. Lightly dust hands with flour to prevent sticking. Bake for 15 minutes until set but not browned. Allow crust to cool completely.

Step 3: Craft Decadent Pecan Topping

• Unsalted butter
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Lemon zest
• Orange zest
• Heavy cream
• Pecan halves

In heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, lemon and orange zests. Melt ingredients over low heat, stirring continuously. Increase heat and boil for 3 minutes, creating rich caramel. Remove from heat. Gently stir in heavy cream and pecans until evenly distributed.

Step 4: Final Baking and Cooling

Pour pecan mixture over cooled crust, spreading carefully to ensure even coverage. Bake for 25-30 minutes until topping sets and becomes golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up. Cut into rectangular bars using sharp knife. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Serving Tip: For clean cuts, wipe knife between slices and store bars in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Tips to Nail That Gooey Center

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Gently warm butter at room temperature until it's spreadable but not melty, ensuring a tender and flaky crust that crumbles beautifully.
• Flour-Dusting Technique: Lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour to prevent sticky dough, using just enough to keep things smooth without making the crust tough.
• Bake Crust with Care: Monitor the crust closely while baking, aiming for a set texture without over-browning, which prevents a hard, dry base for your pecan pie bars.
• Topping Distribution Matters: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the pecan filling evenly, guaranteeing consistent flavor and texture in every delectable bite.
• Chill for Clean Cuts: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing, creating clean edges and a perfectly set filling that holds its shape.

Keeping Pecan Pie Bars Firm and Fresh

• Counter Storage: Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2 days maximum. Protect from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain crisp texture and prevent nuts from becoming stale.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Slide bars into an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Seal tightly and store up to 5 days. Cold storage helps maintain structural integrity and extends freshness of buttery crust and caramelized pecan topping.
• Freezer Method: Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for 3 months maximum. Thaw overnight in refrigerator to preserve original flavor and prevent moisture loss.

Bar Variations That Still Feel Classic

• Nutty Chocolate Drizzle: Replace some pecans with chocolate chips and drizzle melted dark chocolate over the bars after cooling for a rich, decadent version.
• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Swap honey with pure maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon to the topping for a deep, warming flavor profile that enhances the pecan's natural sweetness.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the bars before final baking and incorporate caramel pieces into the pecan topping for a sweet-salty combination that elevates the classic recipe.
• Coconut Crumble Upgrade: Mix shredded coconut into the crust and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the finished bars for a tropical-inspired texture and additional crunch.

Pecan Pie Bars Recap

Ina Garten’s pecan pie bars reveal sophisticated southern charm with complex flavor profiles that elevate classic dessert traditions.

Luxurious ingredients blend seamlessly, creating rich textures that dance across palates with delightful precision.

Kitchen maestros can recreate this masterpiece through carefully measured steps and strategic technique.

Holiday gatherings sparkle when these bars grace celebration tables with their irresistible appeal.

Culinary enthusiasts will discover remarkable depth in each carefully crafted square of pure indulgence.

You’ll want to savor, share, snap a photo, tag Ina, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms – because some recipes deserve global recognition.

Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pecan pie bars deliver classic Southern charm with a modern twist. Buttery shortbread crust cradles rich, caramelized pecans in a sweet filling that promises pure comfort and indulgence for holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 2 ¼ pounds (1 pound + 1 ¼ pounds) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup good honey

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 extra-large eggs
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Dry Ingredients:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Craft the crust by using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Gradually blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed until just combined. Transfer the slightly sticky dough to a lightly greased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, gently pressing and forming a small edge around the perimeter. Dust hands and dough with flour if needed. Bake for 15 minutes until the crust sets but remains pale. Allow the crust to cool completely.
3. Create the topping by combining butter, honey, brown sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Melt ingredients over low heat, stirring consistently with a wooden spoon. Increase temperature and boil for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans until well integrated. Carefully pour the mixture over the cooled crust, spreading evenly to prevent seepage underneath.
4. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the topping sets and turns golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate when cool, wrapped in plastic wrap. Once chilled, slice into bars and serve.

Notes

• Cool the bars completely at room temperature before refrigerating to help the filling set perfectly and make cutting easier.
• Distribute the topping gently and evenly across the crust to ensure consistent flavor and texture in every single bite.
• Monitor the crust closely while baking, removing it just as it sets without letting it turn golden brown to maintain a delicate, tender texture.
• Dust your hands and work surface lightly with flour when handling the dough to prevent sticking, but use sparingly to avoid a tough crust.
• Ensure butter is softened but not melted when preparing the crust, creating a wonderfully crumbly and delicate base for your bars.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 711
• Sugar: 54 g
• Sodium: 67 mg
• Fat: 46 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 76 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg