Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

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These chocolate pecan pie bars feature a tender shortbread crust, and a rich, thick chocolaty layer that’s topped with delicious pecans. Like classic lemon bars and pecan pie bars with coconut, slicing this Thanksgiving dessert into little squares can feed a crowd.

📌Pin Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Unlike traditional pecan pie, these scrumptious chocolate pecan pie bars are less gooey, not as dense, and not overly sweet. Once your family tries this classic dessert with a chocolaty layer, they’ll never settle for ordinary pecan pie bars again.

While the buttery shortbread crust is irresistible, it’s the rich chocolate and caramelized pecan topping with honey (no corn syrup!) that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Assemble this easy dessert in 20 minutes then bake.

Because these dessert bars are easy to transport, they’re ideal for potlucks, picnics, and family gatherings. Another plus: no dessert plates or forks are needed for this convenient finger food. Just a short pile of square napkins.

Serve chocolate pecan pie bars with milk, coffee, tea, pumpkin spice hot chocolate, or a yummy iced vanilla latte.

🛒 Ingredients

This tasty recipe comes together with common refrigerator and pantry items. You won’t need any special spices for these bar cookies!

For the Shortbread Crust

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides strength and sturdiness for the shortbread crust.
• Powdered Sugar: Contributes the perfect amount of sweetness.
• Butter: This rich creamy ingredient holds the crust together.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the sugar and butter.

For Layering

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Or use dark chocolate morsels instead.
• Pecan Halves (or chopped pecans): A classic ingredient for pecan pie bars.

For the Filling

• Butter: Adds a rich, buttery taste.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds the ideal amount of sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.
• Honey: A delicious sticky ingredient that holds the pecan topping in place.
• Heavy cream (same as whipping cream): Provides rich delicious moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and aroma of the mixture.

👉🏻 SHOPPING TIP: When pricing out pecans at the market, look for the price comparison by ounce. Sometimes is more cost-effective to buy shelled pecan halves rather than chopped pecans.

🥣 Easy Ingredient Swaps

Missing an ingredient for these chocolate pecan pie bars? Don’t slip on your shoes and head to the store. Instead, check your refrigerator and pantry for these easy ingredient substitutions.

• Salted Butter: If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon salt for every 1/2 cup butter.
• Light Brown Sugar: Use dark brown sugar instead, or a mix of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar.
• Honey: Use corn syrup or agave nectar instead.
• Heavy Cream: Substitute with half and half, or milk.
• Vanilla Extract: Swap with vanilla paste.
• Pecans: The best ingredient swap is walnuts.

Best Pan for this Recipe

When making these Thanksgiving dessert bars, I reach for my USA pan bakeware. It’s because these pans deliver the best results, every time. It’s the industry choice for bakers everywhere. For chocolate pecan pie bars, I use my 8 X 8-inch pan.

Treat yourself well. You deserve the best. Add this high-quality pan to your collection. If you plan to double this recipe, grab the 9 x 13 pan. Make your purchase through the Amazon affiliate links below.

📖 Recipe Steps

Notes: We’ll start by creating the crust. As it bakes in the oven, we’ll assemble the caramel filling in the microwave.

Make the Crust

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cube butter with a knife. Grease bottom and sides of an 8 x 8 baker. Line the pan with an oversized piece of parchment paper that extends over 2 sides of the pan. Later, these “handles” will be used to easily lift and remove dessert from the pan.

1. In the bowl of a food processor, add flour, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract.
2. Pulse until ingredients are combined, and a soft supple dough forms. Gather it into a ball.
3. Transfer dough to prepared pan. With your hands, firmly press it down into an even layer on the bottom of the baker. Be sure to also cover the corners and edges of the pan.
4. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until the middle is baked but still pale, and the edges are a slight golden blonde. Remove from oven.

Make the Filling, Assemble & Bake

RECIPE PREP: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

1. While the crust is in the oven (toward the end of baking time), prep the caramel filling so it’s ready to go. Add butter, brown sugar, honey, heavy cream and vanilla to a heat-safe bowl. Microwave 1 minute. Whisk until ingredients are fully combined. If needed, microwave 20 seconds more and whisk again.
2. As soon as the hot crust comes out of the oven, sprinkle it with an even layer of chocolate chips. Arrange 1 cup pecans in an even layer over the chocolate. Reserve remaining nuts for later.
3. Evenly pour caramel sauce over the chocolate and pecans. Let it spread to cover the corners and edges of the pan. If needed, tilt pan to encourage spread. Arrange remaining nuts on the surface.
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until filling is gently bubbling around the sides, with slight bubbling across the surface. Remove pan from oven. Cool on a metal rack until set, about 3 hours. After the first hour, tent the pan loosely with foil.

👉🏻 KITCHEN TIP: If using a specialty bar pan or baking dish with low sides: line a baking tray with foil. Set baker on lined tray to catch any overflowing drips that may occur in the oven.

Slice and serve the chocolate pecan pie bars: Once the slab has cooled and set, use the parchment paper “handles” to lift and transfer the slab to a wooden board. Slice it into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQ

These are the most commonly asked questions about chocolate pecan pie bars, and the most helpful answers for recipe success!

🍽 More Thanksgiving Desserts

If you love making a variety of holiday desserts, you’ll love these yummy recipes. Save your favorite recipes for later.

• Pumpkin Bread Pudding
• Libby’s Pumpkin Pie
• Peach Dumplings
• Glazed Pumpkin Hand Pies
• Pumpkin Mousse
• Tiramisu
• Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Family and friends say these chocolate pecan pie bars are one of their favorite holiday desserts. When I take them to gatherings, I’m frequently asked for this recipe. People can hardly believe how quick and easy they are to make.

If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars 👉🏻 Join the Convo

Are you excited to make these chocolate pecan pie bars? Will it be for Thanksgiving or another occasion? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.