Description
Cozy and comforting fall dessert bars featuring a nutty brown butter crust, gooey maple filling, and crunchy toasted pecans. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, for browning
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 ½ cups (150g) pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
Instructions
- Brown the butter: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns golden, and smells nutty with brown flecks. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
- Make the crust: Reserve about ⅓ cup of browned butter. Mix it with 1 cup flour and ½ cup brown sugar until coarse crumbs form. Press evenly into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan. Chill in fridge while preparing filling.
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, maple syrup, remaining browned butter, vanilla extract, salt, and remaining ½ cup flour until smooth and glossy.
- Toast the pecans: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly darker. Avoid burning.
- Assemble and bake: Remove crust from fridge. Pour filling evenly over crust and sprinkle toasted pecans on top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until filling is set and edges are golden. Center should jiggle slightly but not be runny.
- Cool and slice: Let bars cool completely in pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into squares or rectangles. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
[‘Don’t rush browning the butter; stir constantly and watch for nutty aroma and light brown color.’, ‘Chill the crust to keep it firm and prevent sogginess.’, ‘Toast pecans fresh for best flavor.’, ‘Use pure maple syrup, not imitation or corn syrup, for authentic taste.’, ‘Slice bars with a warm knife for clean cuts.’, ‘Bars taste better the next day; make ahead for easy entertaining.’, ‘Variations include adding chocolate chips, spices, gluten-free flour, vegan substitutions, or nut-free options.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: fall dessert, brown butter, maple syrup, pecan pie bars, easy dessert, autumn recipe, pecan bars, maple pecan bars