If you adore the rich, nutty flavors of pecan pie but want something a bit easier to slice and share, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe. These bars are incredibly decadent, combining gooey chocolate chips and crunchy pecans in a buttery crust that just melts in your mouth. I absolutely love how this turns out every time I make it, and I think once you try it, this will become your new favorite dessert for parties, potlucks, or any casual get-together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Preparation: The crust and filling come together fast, perfect for busy days or last-minute dessert cravings.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual party, these bars always disappear first.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combo of chocolate and pecans is both sweet and rich without being overwhelming.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can adjust the nuts or add your favorite mix-ins to tailor it to your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully, balancing sweetness, crunch, and that signature pie texture. I always recommend using fresh pecans for the best crunch and flavor, and good quality chocolate chips really make a difference here.
- All purpose flour: The backbone to our crust, this gives just the right structure while staying tender.
- Brown sugar: Adds a rich molasses flavor enhancing the crust’s taste and giving it a lovely color.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened & melted): Key for that buttery crust and luscious filling without any extra saltiness.
- Eggs: They help bind the filling and add richness.
- Granulated white sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that beautiful golden filling.
- Light corn syrup: This keeps the filling gooey and chewy – I never skip it.
- Vanilla extract: Just a touch adds warmth and depth.
- Chopped pecans: The star nut in this dessert – fresh and chopped evenly for consistent crunch.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout the bars.
Variations
I love how versatile this Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe is. Feel free to toss in your favorite nuts or chocolates, and don’t hesitate to make it your own. Trust me, tweaking it adds fun and keeps this recipe fresh every time you bake it.
- Nut Variations: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds if that’s what you have on hand—I’ve done this and it’s just as delicious.
- Chocolate Choices: Try dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet bar; milk chocolate works wonderfully too if you like it sweeter.
- Dietary Adaptations: For a gluten-free twist, use a gluten-free all purpose flour blend in the crust—just be sure to check your blend’s performance in baking.
- Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: When I first tried adding cinnamon to the crust mix, it gave a subtle warmth that everyone noticed and loved.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust with Love
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F exactly. This little step ensures even baking. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Then add the softened butter and beat with an electric mixer until you get a crumbly texture. If it feels too dry, just beat a little longer—you want it to stick together nicely when pressed. Press this crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan. I like using my hands for this part; it helps the crust feel uniform and ready to hold all that yummy filling. Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes until it’s lightly golden. This sets a sturdy base and prevents sogginess.
Step 2: Whisk the Filling to Perfection
While your crust is baking, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, corn syrup, and melted butter in a bowl until smooth and glossy. Don’t rush this part; a well-mixed filling means fewer lumps and even baking. When it’s ready, fold in those lovely chopped pecans and chocolate chips. I always make sure the chocolate chips are evenly distributed so every bite has that chocolate surprise.
Step 3: Bake Your Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Pour the rich filling mixture over your warm crust and spread it out gently but evenly. Slide the pan back into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is just set. It should wiggle slightly but not be liquidy when you gently shake the pan. Cooling is key here too—let your bars cool completely on a wire rack so they slice beautifully. If you cut them too soon, they can crumble or stick together in a mess.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Even Crust Press: I use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crust evenly – it helps avoid cracks or thin spots.
- Don’t Overbake: It’s tempting to bake longer for a “set” filling, but overbaking makes the bars dry; watch closely past 25 minutes.
- Chop Pecans Uniformly: Consistent size nuts bake evenly and slice more cleanly—plus, every bite tastes balanced.
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: This tip saved me from crumbly bars—waiting patiently makes slicing neater and easier.
How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these bars with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream—warm or cold, it pairs beautifully. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a pretty finishing touch if you’re serving them for guests.
Side Dishes
They’re rich enough to stand alone, but if I’m feeling indulgent, I serve these bars alongside fresh berries or a crisp green salad with citrus vinaigrette to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve layered these bars on a festive platter with decorative edible flowers and little bowls of extra pecans and chocolate chips for a beautiful, interactive dessert table. You can even cut them into mini bite-sized squares for a fancy finger food option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them—but just bring them to room temp before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully! I usually slice them first, then arrange pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze before transferring to a freezer bag. They keep their texture and flavor for about 2 months this way.
Reheating
To reheat, pop individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a low oven for 5 minutes. This revives that gooey chocolate and soft filling beautifully without drying them out.
FAQs
-
Can I use pecan halves instead of chopped pecans in the Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe?
Yes, you can, but chopped pecans distribute more evenly through the filling, giving you crunch in every bite. Using halves means you’ll get larger nutty bites instead, which can be delicious but a bit uneven when cutting bars.
-
What’s the best way to prevent the bars from becoming soggy?
Baking the crust first until it’s light golden sets a sturdy base, which is key to avoiding sogginess. Also, be sure to cool the bars completely before cutting, as that helps the filling set properly.
-
Can I substitute corn syrup with something else?
Light corn syrup works best here for texture and sweetness, but you can substitute with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup. Keep in mind these alternatives might add a slight flavor twist.
-
How do I store leftover Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze the bars as described above.
Final Thoughts
I have to say, this Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my heart (and my recipe box!). The ease, the flavor, and how it always draws compliments make it one I turn to again and again. If you’re looking to wow your friends or just treat yourself without too much fuss, this is exactly what you want to bake. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear how much your family loves it too!
Print
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are a delightful twist on the classic pecan pie, combining a buttery crumbly crust with a rich, gooey filling loaded with pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, baked to golden perfection, and ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a decadent treat.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
Filling
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray and set it aside to prepare the crust.
- Make the Crust: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all purpose flour, packed brown sugar, salt, and the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture turns crumbly. Evenly press this crumbly dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until lightly golden and set.
- Prepare the Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together the eggs, granulated white sugar, vanilla extract, light corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter in a separate medium bowl. Once combined, gently fold in the chopped pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the filling mixture evenly over the warm crust layer in the pan. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is fully set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars provide a fun and delicious alternative to traditional pecan pie with a chocolaty twist that’s both decadent and easy to make.
- These bars are perfect for sharing at parties or as a rich dessert for your family.
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before cutting to achieve clean slices.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips based on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 397 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
