Healthy Pecan Pie Bars

With the holidays just around the corner, these healthy pecan pie bars are a recipe that’s sure to surprise and delight any guests that stop by for a visit. These healthy pecan pie bars are buttery, caramelly and super tasty!

2.5 from 6 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Four the crust:
1 cups flour all purpose, gluten free, or whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup low-fat milk
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup whole pecans
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a 9 inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper.
To make the crust: in a food processor combine flour, cornstarch, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, vanilla extract and salt, pulse until mixture resembles a fine meal.
Press the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until the edges of the crust are slightly browned.
While the crust makes, make the filling: Combine the syrup and the next 3 ingredients (through 1 tablespoon butter) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat; add the pecans and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, stirring with a whisk. Pour the mixture into the hot crust. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes or until the filling is bubbling. Cool completely in the pan. Cut into 20 bars.

Notes

I made these in a 9 x 13 dish for more bars, they'll be thinner.

Recipe adapted from the Cooking that Counts cookbook

Nutrition