Looking for a tasty treat to wow your friends and family? Try these Butterscotch Pecan Pie Bars. They're sweet, crunchy, and absolutely delicious—a dessert anyone can whip up!
This recipe is part of my collection of Bars you can find on my website. If you like this recipe, you might also like this Seven Layers Bars (Magic Bars). Apricot Oat Bars are perfect for the holidays, while these Coconut-Almond Lemon Bars are great for any occasion.
Pecan Pie Bars Without Corn Syrup
Butterscotch Pecan Pie Bars are a flavorful twist on a classic favorite.
The crust, made with flour, sugar, and butter, is the foundation for a rich and creamy filling that is filled with butterscotch morsels and crunchy pecans.
The beauty of this recipe is the simplicity of it; it doesn't require any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Yet, the end result is a delicious treat that fills your kitchen with a mouth-watering aroma.
Perfect for gatherings or just satisfying a sweet craving, these bars offer a taste experience that's comforting and indulgent without being overly complicated.
Let me tell you why you should try to make this recipe:
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear instructions, these bars are accessible to bakers of all skill levels. There is no corn syrup either in this recipe, which is a bonus for me.
Unique Flavor Combination: The blend of butterscotch morsels with crunchy pecans creates a taste that's both familiar and exciting.
Perfect for any occasion: From family gatherings to potlucks or even a quiet evening at home, their sweet and nutty flavor appeals to a wide audience.
Recipe ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
All-purpose flour: The main structure for the crust. For a gluten-free option, try a gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust. You can also use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar instead for a deeper flavor.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps in binding the crust. If there is no other way around, you can use salted butter (omit the salt in the recipe) or shortening for a different fat content. Use very cold butter, so you can obtain a flaky, buttery shortbread crust.
Salt: Enhances the flavors in baked goods, and it is highly recommended in these type of recipes, so don't skip it unless you use salted butter.
Filling:
Sweetened condensed milk: Creamy sweet base for the filling.
Large eggs: Binds the filling and adds richness, together with the condensed milk.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
Butterscotch chips: Key flavor component in the filling. If you do not have them, use chocolate chips or Heath bits toffee.
Pecans: The stars of the recipe. If pecans are hard to find or too expensive, try walnuts.
Expert tip
The key to a perfectly textured filling lies in careful monitoring of the baking process. Start checking around the 30-minute mark. The filling should be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
If it is overbaked, it may become too firm; if underbaked, it may be too runny. Using a toothpick or cake tester near the edge (but not the center) can help you find the right consistency.
Remember, it will continue to set as it cools, so pulling it out at just the right moment is crucial for achieving the desired texture.
Storage
Room temperature:
Allow the pecan squares to cool completely. Place them in an airtight container, separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store them for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator:
Transfer the cool bars to an airtight container, again using parchment paper between layers. Store them for up to one week.
Freezer:
Cool the bars completely. You can wrap them individually in plastic wrap or in a single layer.
Wrapping the bars individually is not mandatory but can be beneficial, especially if you plan to enjoy them one at a time.
By wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, you can prevent them from sticking together and protect them from freezer burn.
If you prefer, you can also freeze them in a single layer in an airtight container, separating them with parchment paper. Either method will allow you to freeze the bars successfully for up to 3 months.
Recipe faqs
Refrigeration is not essential for these bars, but it can help to prolong their freshness, especially if you live in a humid climate. (please check the storage instructions)
Absolutely! These bars can be made a day or two in advance and stored at room temperature. If you want to keep them even fresher, refrigerate them and bring them to room temperature before serving.
For clean, neat edges, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Chilling the bars briefly before cutting can also make the process easier.
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📖 Recipe
Butterscotch Pecan Pie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk 2x 14 ounces can
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 11 ounces butterscotch morsels (one bag)
- 2 cups pecans
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Then, work the butter into the mixture until it forms a crumbly mixture.
- Press firmly in a 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Set aside.
Filling:
- In a large bowl, mix milk, eggs, vanilla, butterscotch morsels, and pecans. Spread the mixture over the baked crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake at 325F for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cristina says
I have made several bars recipies from your blog and they all came out delicious, so I was curious to try this one on my guests last weekend since I had a bag of butterscotch morsels in my cupboard. I have to tell you - there were no bars left at the end of the night. I used brown sugar instead of white and because I didn't have enough pecans, I added walnuts. It took 40 minutes in my oven for baking the filling. Very easy to make recipe, and super delicious. Thank you Gabriela!
Gabriela says
Thank you, Cristina! I really appreciate it!