These irresistible pecan pie cookies capture the rich, gooey essence of their namesake dessert in a perfectly portable bar cookie. They combine a buttery shortbread base with a classic pecan pie filling, creating a decadent treat that’s surprisingly simple to make from scratch. Ideal for holiday cookie trays, potlucks, or as a sweet ending to any family dinner, these bars deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

I first fell in love with the concept of these bars during a cozy autumn gathering, where the comforting scent of toasted pecans and brown sugar filled the air. They have since become my go-to for when I crave the deep, caramelized flavor of a classic pecan pie but want something a bit more shareable and easier to serve. I love pairing a warm square with a cup of afternoon tea or serving them alongside my chewy lemon cookies for a delightful dessert platter. They are also a fantastic addition to a spread that includes savory bites like salted caramel apple bars, balancing sweet and rich flavors beautifully.

What Makes These Pecan Pie Bars Special

Classic Flavor, Easy Format: Enjoy the beloved taste of pecan pie without the fuss of making a crust from scratch.
Perfect for Sharing: Baking in a 9×13 pan yields plenty of bars for a crowd, making them ideal for parties.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars keep wonderfully, so you can prepare them a day or two in advance.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have butter, flour, sugar, and eggs on hand, needing only to pick up fresh pecans.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Pecan Pie Cookies

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

For the Cookie Base

Unsalted Butter, softened: Using softened butter is key for creaming it properly with the sugar to create a light base.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the simple shortbread-like crust.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie base that provides structure.
Salt: A small amount enhances all the other flavors in both the base and topping.

For the Pecan Topping

Unsalted Butter, melted: Melted butter creates a rich, smooth texture for the gooey topping.
Light Brown Sugar, packed: Packing the sugar ensures you get the correct amount for that signature molasses flavor.
Light Corn Syrup: This is essential for achieving the classic, chewy-sweet consistency of pecan pie filling.
Large Egg, room temperature: A room-temperature egg blends more evenly into the topping mixture for a uniform set.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Use a high-quality extract for the best aromatic flavor.
Pecans, finely chopped: Toasting the pecans beforehand will deepen their nutty flavor immensely.

Pecan Pie Cookies

Delicious pecan pie cookies combine the classic flavors of pecan pie in a convenient bar cookie form. Easy recipe with a buttery base and rich pecan topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 38

Total Time 3 3

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 squares

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

oven
9×13 inch baking pan
electric mixer
mixing bowl
whisk
spatula
measuring cups
measuring spoons
wire rack

Ingredients

Cookie Base

0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
0.25 cup granulated sugar
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
0.25 tsp salt

Pecan Topping

0.25 cup unsalted butter melted
0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
0.25 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg at room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup pecans finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, allowing the parchment to overhang on the long sides for easy removal later.
In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes. Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, mixing on low speed until the ingredients are just combined and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan.
Bake the cookie base for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges appear lightly golden. Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside while you prepare the topping; keep the oven on at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the cookie base is baking, prepare the pecan topping. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. Fold in the 1 cup finely chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Carefully pour the pecan topping over the warm, partially baked cookie base in the pan. Gently spread the topping with a spatula to ensure it covers the entire surface of the cookie base.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pecan topping is set and lightly browned around the edges. The center should no longer jiggle significantly when the pan is gently shaken.
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Allow the pecan pie cookies to cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours before attempting to cut them into squares. Thorough cooling is crucial for the topping to fully set and for clean, neat cuts.

Notes

Thorough cooling is crucial for the topping to fully set and for clean, neat cuts.

Keyword bars, cookies, dessert, pecan pie

Ways to Customize Your Bars

Chocolate Drizzle: Melt semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled bars for an extra decadent touch.
Spiced Variation: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the pecan topping for a warm, autumnal flavor.
Salty-Sweet Twist: Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the bars immediately after they come out of the oven.

My Best Tips for Perfect Pecan Pie Cookies

Proper Pan Prep: Letting the parchment paper overhang the sides of the pan makes lifting out and cutting the bars incredibly easy.
Don’t Overmix the Base: Mix the flour into the butter and sugar just until crumbly to ensure a tender, shortbread-like texture.
Cool Completely: This is the most crucial step for clean cuts. The filling needs time to set properly, so be patient. For another recipe where patience pays off, see my fudgy chewy brownies.
Toast Your Pecans: Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to unlock a deeper, richer flavor.

How to Store and Keep Your Cookies Fresh

Store: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, I recommend refrigeration.
Freeze: These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the whole slab tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: For a warm, fresh-from-the-oven experience, warm a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the entire recipe, cool completely, and store the uncut slab in the fridge, wrapped tightly, for up to 2 days before slicing and serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use maple syrup instead of corn syrup?

Yes, you can substitute pure maple syrup for the light corn syrup. The flavor will be slightly different, with a distinct maple note, and the texture may be a bit less firm. It’s a delicious alternative if you prefer natural sweeteners.

Why are my pecan pie bars soggy?

Sogginess is usually caused by underbaking the bottom crust or not allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting. The base needs to be lightly golden before adding the topping, and the filling must set fully as it cools.

How do I know when the pecan topping is done?

The topping is set when the edges are lightly browned and the center no longer jiggles significantly when you gently shake the pan. It will continue to firm up as it cools on a wire rack.

Can I make these pecan pie cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the cookie base. The texture should be very similar to the original recipe.

More Indulgent Desserts to Try

With their buttery shortbread crust and rich, nutty topping, these homemade pecan pie cookies are the ultimate easy dessert. They deliver all the comfort of a classic pie with the convenience of a bar cookie, making them perfect for any occasion. I hope this recipe becomes a cherished favorite in your home, just as it has in mine.

Easy Pecan Bars