Carolina Pecan Bars
Buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey honey-caramel pecan filling—a Southern classic that’s easier than pecan pie but just as delicious!
🛒 Ingredients
🔹 Shortbread Crust:
- ✔️ 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ✔️ ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ✔️ ¼ tsp salt
- ✔️ ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ✔️ 2 tbsp ice water
🔹 Pecan Filling:
- ✔️ 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ✔️ ½ cup honey
- ✔️ 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- ✔️ 2 tbsp heavy cream
- ✔️ ¼ tsp salt
- ✔️ 2 cups roughly chopped pecans
- ✔️ 1 tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Directions
✨ Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
✨ Step 2: Make the Shortbread Crust
Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add ice water and mix until dough forms.
✨ Step 3: Press dough into the pan and bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool.
✨ Step 4: Make the Pecan Filling
In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, butter, cream, and salt over medium heat. Stir until smooth, then boil for 1 minute without stirring.
✨ Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in pecans and vanilla, then pour over the crust. Spread evenly.
✨ Step 6: Bake Again
Return to oven and bake 20-25 minutes until bubbling and set.
✨ Step 7: Cool & Slice
Let bars cool completely before slicing into squares. For clean cuts, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing.
🔥 Crunchy, buttery, and packed with caramelized pecan goodness—who’s trying these for the holidays?