This Carolina Pecan Bars recipe is a rich, buttery Southern dessert packed with crunchy pecans and a sweet, gooey filling—perfect for holiday baking, potlucks, family gatherings, and easy dessert bars.
Ingredients
- Shortbread Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pecan Filling
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
- Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and brown sugar together in a large bowl. Add the corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and salt, whisking until smooth.
- Fold the chopped pecans into the filling.
- Pour the pecan mixture evenly over the warm crust, spreading the pecans across the surface.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has only a slight jiggle.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing into squares.