The Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Prepare the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter. Cook the butter, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. This should take about 5-10 minutes. Be sure to remove it from the heat as soon as it starts to brown to avoid burning.

3. Pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in granulated sugar and salt until well combined.

4. Stir in all-purpose flour until the mixture forms a dough.

5. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Make the Pecan Pie Filling:

1. While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, dark corn syrup, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.

2. Stir in 3 cups of pecan halves or coarsely chopped pecans.

Assemble and Bake:

1. Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the pecan pie filling over the hot crust. Spread the filling evenly with a spatula.

2. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed. The center should no longer jiggle when you gently shake the pan.

3. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Cool and Slice:

1. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. For best results, refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour to make them easier to cut.

2. Once chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife.