Best 7 Marthas Pecan Bars Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable Martha's Pecan Bars, a classic confection that marries a buttery shortbread crust with a rich and gooey pecan filling. These irresistible treats are perfect for any occasion, from potlucks to bake sales, and are sure to be a hit with people of all ages. With step-by-step instructions and a detailed ingredient list, this recipe ensures that even novice bakers can create these delectable bars with ease. Additionally, the article offers variations such as a chocolate chip pecan bar and a gluten-free pecan bar, catering to different dietary preferences and ensuring everyone can enjoy these delectable delights.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

DATE-PECAN BARS



Date-Pecan Bars image

These chewy, sweet bars are a great alternative to fruitcake -- but they don't contain any alcohol, making them a kid-friendly holiday treat.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield Makes 18

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan, room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped pitted dates
3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of the pan; place it in the pan, then butter the paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Stir in dates and nuts.
  • Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool completely on a wire rack. Run a knife around edges to loosen, then cut it into bars using a serrated knife. To cut the baked dough into 18 bars, make 3 cuts horizontally and 6 cuts vertically.

PECAN SHORTBREAD BARS



Pecan Shortbread Bars image

These crumbly cookies are studded with crunchy pecans.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield Makes 18

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup pecan halves
1 cup (spooned and leveled) all-purpose flour, plus more for preparation
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cold (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.
  • In a food processor, pulse pecans until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl; set aside. In processor, blend flour, sugar, butter, and salt until moist clumps form. Add reserved pecans; pulse 2 or 3 times, just to incorporate.
  • Press dough evenly into the bottom of prepared pan (if dough is sticky, dip fingers in flour). With a floured fork, prick dough every 1/2 inch. Bake until lightly golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Cool 5 minutes in pan. Use foil overhang to lift shortbread from pan onto cutting board. With a serrated knife, carefully cut warm shortbread into 18 bars (6 rows by 3 rows). Remove from foil; cool bars completely on a rack before serving.

PECAN BARS



Pecan Bars image

These buttery pecan bars are made with an easy press-in-the-pan shortbread crust, making them the ultimate sweet and salty dessert.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (about 2 cups) pecans
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil. In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg; pulse just until a dough forms.
  • Transfer dough to prepared pan; with floured fingers and an offset spatula, press firmly into bottom and 3/4 inch up sides. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
  • Prick bottom of dough; bake until lightly golden, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool while preparing filling.
  • Make the filling: In a large saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly, until smooth; continue boiling, without stirring, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat. Whisk in cream and salt; mix in pecans.
  • Assemble and bake: Spoon hot filling evenly over crust, using spoon to arrange and press in nuts so they fit snugly (create as flat a surface as possible).
  • Bake until bubbling and amber-colored, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
  • Using foil, lift cake from pan; peel off foil. With a sharp knife, trim edges (if desired). Cut into 6 even strips; cut each strip crosswise into 4 even strips to make 24 bars.

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE BARS



Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars image

This delicious chocolate pecan pie treat (no crust needed) is from Anne Royal of Port Orchard, Washington.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 2h

Yield Makes 32

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus 2 tablespoons melted
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 package (11.5 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat 1 stick room-temperature butter, brown sugar, flour, and salt until coarse crumbs form. Pour mixture into prepared pan; press firmly into bottom.
  • Bake until lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool, 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in same large bowl, mix eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Add chocolate chips and pecans; spread over crust. Bake until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan before lifting out (using foil to lift). Cut into 32 bars (8 rows by 4 rows).

PECAN PIE BARS I



Pecan Pie Bars I image

These pecan pie bars are great for the children and adults in any family.

Provided by MARIETA

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine
4 eggs
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 ½ cups white sugar
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Cut in 1 cup of margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the prepared pan, and press in firmly.
  • Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
  • While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, corn syrup, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons margarine, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans. Spread the filling evenly over the crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.
  • Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232.8 calories, Carbohydrate 30.7 g, Cholesterol 20.7 mg, Fat 12 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 117.5 mg, Sugar 15.2 g

BUTTER PECAN BARS



Butter Pecan Bars image

A friend of mine, who picks pecans every year, brought me some of these yummy bars along with a sack of pecans. They are incredibly rich and gooey, and freeze like a dream. Easy and perfect for the holiday season.

Provided by Franci

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

¾ cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup pecan halves

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.
  • In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour and pecans until just blended. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Allow bars to cool in the pan before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537.7 calories, Carbohydrate 68.9 g, Cholesterol 92.3 mg, Fat 28.4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 148.2 mg, Sugar 52.4 g

PECAN BAR COOKIES



Pecan Bar Cookies image

When you're baking for a party, making these pecan bars that guests can hold in their hands is a great idea.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon dark corn syrup
2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until light. Beat in 2 cups flour until it forms a mass. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch pan. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on the dough and use it to press the dough into the pan (this will make it easier and will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers). Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are golden.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons flour, remaining teaspoon salt, and baking powder. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs, brown sugar, and corn syrup until light. Fold flour mixture into egg mixture, then pecans and coconut.
  • Pour over crust and bake 20 to 25 minutes until set. Run a metal spatula around the edges while still warm, then transfer to a wire rack and cool in pan before cutting into 24 bars.

Tips:

  • Use quality ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your pecan bars. Look for pecans that are plump and free of blemishes, and use real butter and eggs.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Press the bars firmly into the pan: This will help them to stay together and not crumble.
  • Bake the bars until they are just set: Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars; if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, the bars are done.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them: This will help them to hold their shape.

Conclusion:

Martha's pecan bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. With their buttery shortbread crust, gooey pecan filling, and sweet glaze, they're sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a simple but impressive dessert, give these bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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