Description
Pecan pie squares deliver Southern comfort in each delectable bite, showcasing rich nutty flavors and golden caramel notes. Crisp pastry and luscious filling promise a memorable dessert that connects you with classic American baking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) chopped pecans
- 2 large eggs
Crust Components:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup (340 grams) light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with a light coating of grease or parchment paper protection.
- Create the foundational crust by blending flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter into a unified dough, incorporating vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Gently press the dough into the pan’s bottom, ensuring an even, uniform layer that will serve as the pie squares’ structural base.
- Bake the crust until it achieves a delicate golden hue, approximately 10-12 minutes, which will provide a crisp and sturdy foundation.
- Craft the decadent filling by whisking corn syrup, eggs, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt into a harmonious, silky mixture.
- Fold chopped pecans thoroughly into the filling, distributing them evenly to guarantee a consistent nutty texture throughout each square.
- Carefully pour the pecan-laden filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it gently to create a smooth, comprehensive coverage.
- Return the pan to the oven, allowing the filling to transform and set during a 25-30 minute baking interval, watching for a slight puffing indication of doneness.
- Remove from the oven and permit the pie squares to cool completely within the pan, ensuring structural integrity before cutting into precise, delectable portions.
- Slice into elegant squares and serve, revealing the luscious layers of buttery crust and rich pecan filling.
Notes
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to the filling to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more complex, rich taste profile.
- Replace corn syrup with maple syrup or honey for a more natural sweetening option that adds depth to the dessert.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend in the crust.
- Refrigerate the bars for an hour before serving to achieve a cleaner, more precise cut and firmer texture that holds its shape perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg