Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars are made with unsalted butter, granulated sugar, extra-large eggs, all-purpose flour, good honey, light brown sugar, lemon zest, orange zest, heavy cream, and coarsely chopped pecans. This easy Pecan Pie Bars recipe creates a tasty dessert that takes about 1 hour to prepare and can serve up to 24 people.

🤎 Why You’ll Love This Pecan Pie Bars Recipe:

• Interesting Flavor: The lemon and orange peel in the recipe gives these nut bars a special citrus flavor that makes them different and delicious.
• Soft and Crumbly Crust: The crust is very buttery and bakes into a soft layer that tastes great with the crunchy nuts on top.
• Rich Filling: The mix of honey, butter, and sugar with pecans makes these bars very rich and tasty.
• Good for Any Event: You can bring these bars to a party or have them at home with tea. They are easy to carry to gatherings too.
• Easy to Make Ahead: You can make these bars ahead of time because they need to be cooled in the fridge. This is great if you are busy.

Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars Ingredients

For The Crust:

• 1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For The Topping:

• 1 pound unsalted butter
• 1 cup good honey
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

How To Make Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Make Crust: Beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough into a lightly greased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be sticky; lightly flour the dough and your hands. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.
3. Prepare Topping: Combine butter, honey, brown sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, stirring with a wooden spoon. Increase the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Carefully pour over the cooled crust, spreading evenly to avoid getting the filling between the crust and the pan.
4. Final Baking: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Butter for Crust: Make sure the butter is soft but not melted when you start making the crust. This makes the crust soft and crumbly.
• Using Flour: When you put the dough in the baking sheet, use some flour on your hands and the dough so it doesn’t stick. But don’t use too much flour; it can make the crust hard.
• Watch the Crust in the Oven: Keep an eye on the crust when it’s in the oven. It should not get brown; it just needs to set. If it cooks too long, it will be too hard later.
• Adding the Topping: Spread the topping evenly on the crust. This helps all parts of the bars taste and feel the same.
• Cooling Down: Let the bars cool off completely after you bake them. Then, put them in the fridge before you cut them. This makes the filling thick and easy to cut.

What To Serve With Pecan Pie Bars?

Pecan Pie Bars goes well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. You can also enjoy them with coffee or tea. For an extra special treat, add fresh berries, gelato, light custard, or caramel sauce.

How To Store Leftovers Pecan Pie Bars?

• Refrigerate: Wrap the pecan pie bars tightly in plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the bars on a baking sheet until solid, then wrap them individually in plastic and place in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

FAQ’S:

Ina Garten Pecan Pie Bars Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 172cals
• Total Fat: 10.9g
• Saturated Fat: 1.1g
• Total Carbs: 17g
• Net Carbs: 13g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Total Sugars: 13g

More Ina Garten Recipes:

• Ina Garten Blackberry Cobbler
• Ina Garten Raspberry Squares
• Ina Garten Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Ina Garten Key Lime Pie