- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
Ingredients
for the cookie crust
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
for the maple pecan topping
- 1/3 cup maple syrup, room temperature
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9 x 9 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the cookie crust by combining the butter, sugar, and vanilla, beating until combined and fluffy. Add the flour and salt and beat until just combined. The dough will be a little crumbly!
- Press the cookie crust into prepared pan into an even layer. Set aside.
- Make the maple pecan topping. In a large bowl combine the melted butter and the flour, whisking until a thick paste forms. Add the maple syrup, egg, vanilla extract, maple extract, and salt whisking until fully incorporated. Add the pecans and fold to combine.
- Pour the maple pecan filling over the cookie crust, evening out into a layer. Bake for 40 minutes or until set! Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars and serving!
Keywords: easy, quick and easy, holiday, christmas, cookie exchange
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Good Morning Should I blind bake the cookie crust? thanks
Could I add chopped chocolate to the filling layer of the salted maple pecan bars?
Hi, can I leave out the egg or substitute something for it?
Hi Jay! Unfortunately you cannot just leave out the egg as it’s necessary for the texture and the bind of the batter. You could try substituting the egg for a flax egg! You can find our guide to substitutions here.
can i sub the maple syrup for anything? don’t have a lot
Yes! You’ll lose some of the maple flavor, but you could sub it for agave, a mild flavored honey, or 1/3 cup brown sugar + 1 Tablespoon of water!
can you sub almond extract for maple extract?
Hey Sarah! It will totally change the taste, but if you want these to be almond flavored it would work perfectly!