November 18, 2013

Salted Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

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These salted pecan pie cookie bars are the classic Thanksgiving dessert in bar form! With a buttery crust, caramel pecan filling and finished with flaky sea salt, they’re seriously delicious. Vegetarian and soy free.

Three Salted Pecan Pie Cookie Bars on a plate and parchment paper.

Note: This recipe is NOT dairy free. It was published before Cook Nourish Bliss transitioned to dairy free recipes and remains popular with long time readers. You can try using substitutions to make it dairy free, however I have not tested this myself and can’t say how it will turn out.

These bars.  You guys.  I am actually considering changing my Thanksgiving menu because I feel like I absolutely need to eat these again soon.  Like very soon.  

Like I don’t want to waste my time on any other Thanksgiving dessert and instead will be happy to just swim in a pile of these salted pecan pie cookie bars forever and ever.

Can you tell that I liked these?  My husband was a huge fan too.  And he fully supports the idea of making these again for the big day.

Three Pecan Pie Cookie Bars stacked on a white plate.

So let’s talk about these cookie bars for a second, shall we?  

  • Buttery and soft delicious crust – check.  
  • Gooey, caramelly center filled with nutty goodness – check.  
  • A sprinkle of sea salt for that always amazing salty / sweet combo – anddd check.

See, it’s hard to go wrong with these.  Plus, I have a thing for turning pies into little handheld portions. Pies are just so much better in cookie bar form.  

Well, that may just be me but I promise you’ll still love these bars.

Several Salted Pecan Pie Bars on white plates.

Additional Thanksgiving Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Salted Pecan Pie Cookie Bars | Cookie Monster Cooking

Salted Pecan Pie Cookie Bars

Yield: about 25 to 30 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

These salted pecan pie cookie bars are the classic Thanksgiving dessert in bar form! With a buttery crust, caramel pecan filling and finished with flaky sea salt, they’re seriously delicious. Vegetarian and soy free.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 18 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

For the filling:

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups raw pecan halves

For the topping:

  • about 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

To make the crust:

  1. Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the salt and mix briefly to combine.
  2. With the mixer on medium speed, add in the flour 1 cup at a time, beating until incorporated after each addition. After all the flour is incorporated, the dough should come together into large clumps.
  3. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and use your fingers to press into an even layer in the pan. Use a fork to prick the dough. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove from the refrigerator and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 20 to 30 minutes.

To make the filling:

  1. Reduce the oven temperature to 325ºF.
  2. Add the butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, cream and salt to a medium saucepan. Set the pan over high heat, stirring occasionally to combine the ingredients, and bring to a boil. Stir the mixture constantly until it coats the back of a spoon, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and pecans.
  3. Pour the filling onto the crust. Use a spatula to spread evenly in the pan.
  4. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the filling is bubbling slightly.
  5. Remove from the oven and transfer the pan to a wire rack. Sprinkle immediately with the flaky sea salt. Let cool completely.
  6. Once cool, use the foil overhang to lift out of the pan. Cut into bars.

Notes

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

© Ashley / Cook Nourish Bliss
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert
Bars, Dessert, Recipes (ALL), Seasonal, Soy Free, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
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