Delicious Maple Pecan Bars

Ingredients

• For the crust: For the crust:
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 cup (250ml) pure maple syrup 1 cup (250ml) pure maple syrup
• 2/3 cup (135g) packed brown sugar 2/3 cup (135g) packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups (180g) chopped pecans

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 16g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 34g, 24g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar for the crust. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. 3.
   Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
5. 5.
   Stir in the chopped pecans and pour the filling over the partially baked crust.
6. 6.
   Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are golden brown.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
8. 8.
   Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pecans — Toasting the pecans before chopping them will enhance their flavor and add a delightful aroma to the bars.
• Maple syrup — Opt for pure maple syrup rather than artificial maple-flavored syrup for the best taste and quality.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars.
• If you prefer a stronger maple flavor, you can add a teaspoon of maple extract to the filling mixture.
• Store the Maple Pecan Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Serving advice

Serve these Maple Pecan Bars at room temperature or slightly warmed. They can be enjoyed on their own as a sweet treat or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish each bar with a small maple leaf-shaped cookie cutter or a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans.