Toasted Pecan Bars are the ONLY Bar you need…

Toasted Pecan Pie Bars are seriously the ONLY bars you ever need to make. They are loaded with TONS of toasted pecans, a super gooey center and shortbread type crust that will make you smile. Trust me these need to be on your Holiday dessert table.

Toasting is KEY!

For me the key to these toasted pecan bars is toasting the pecans. There is just something so delicious about a toasted nut, in particular pecans. I love the extra depth of flavor it brings to a dish, especially when they are the star of the show.

I toast mine on the stovetop…if you wanted to toast them in the oven you could, just really watch them so they do not burn. To toast in the oven just spread them onto a sheet pan and place into a 375 degree oven and let them roast about 5-8 minutes, tossing them every couple to ensure they do not burn.

Oh the Filling (& Crust)

My favorite part of aa pecan pie is the filling. My MeeMaw and Mom would make me a pecan pie with no pecans for my birthdays and holidays…that is how much I love the filling. There is just something so wonderful about that ooey gooey filling that makes me so happy. The filling for the bars is very similar to a traditional pie filling, only it has a little additional flour in it to help firm it up a bit. The key is to not over bake the bars, the filling should jiggle a little.

The crust is a buttery shortbread crust that I AM IN LOVE WITH! It is a wonderful partner in crime to the filling. I also love this crust as it holds up well to be picked up and handled, more so than a traditional pie crust would.