Description
Rich cookie pie bars with a buttery shortbread crust, gooey brown sugar maple filling, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips, finished with a touch of flaky sea salt for a sweet and salty dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter, cold and grated
- 1 to 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/3 cup reserved maple syrup from pecans
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped maple candied pecans
- 1/4 cup melted chocolate (optional for drizzle)
- Flaky sea salt for finishing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan combine pecans, maple syrup, and optional bourbon. Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Strain the pecans from the syrup and reserve the syrup for the filling.
- Spread the pecans in the baking dish, toss with brown sugar, and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with sea salt, cool slightly, and chop most of the pecans while leaving a few in the pan.
- Prepare the crust by mixing flour and sugar in a bowl.
- Add grated cold butter and mix until crumbly.
- Add cold water gradually until the dough holds together.
- Press the crust firmly into the baking dish over the remaining pecans and place the pan in the freezer while preparing the filling.
- In a bowl whisk together brown sugar, eggs, and egg yolk until smooth.
- Add the reserved maple syrup and heavy cream and whisk until combined.
- Stir in melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Fold in chopped pecans and chocolate chips.
- Pour the filling over the chilled crust.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden and slightly puffed while the center remains slightly soft.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
Notes
- Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- The center should remain slightly gooey and will firm up as the bars cool.
- Freezing the crust helps keep it firm while baking.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting for clean slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
