Description
A comforting, self-care dessert featuring a sturdy shortbread crust topped with a rich, boozy brown sugar and bourbon pecan filling. These bars are forgiving to make, easy to store, and perfect for quiet evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Shortbread Crust:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Bourbon Pecan Filling:
- 1 ½ cups (300g) packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2–3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 ½ cups (150g) pecan pieces
- For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Extra pecans for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a medium bowl, mix softened butter and powdered sugar with a fork or fingers until it resembles wet sand.
- Add flour and salt, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from oven but leave the oven on.
- In a separate bowl, whisk brown sugar and heavy cream until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking gently after each addition.
- Stir in bourbon and fold in pecan pieces.
- Pour the filling over the hot crust; it will sizzle slightly.
- Sprinkle extra pecans on top if desired.
- Return to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The edges should be bubbling and golden, and the center should still look slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to set.
- Once cool, mix powdered sugar, cream, and salt for the glaze. Drizzle over bars and garnish with pecans.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Do not rush the cooling process; the bars are fragile when hot and need time to set. Room temperature eggs help prevent curdling. If the crust browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. These bars taste better the next day as flavors meld. They can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: pecan pie bars, bourbon dessert, fall baking, self-care recipe, brown sugar pecan, easy dessert, comfort food