Pecan Pie Date Bars

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Pecan Pie Date Bars will have you hooked from the first bite. Easy to make recipe that’s been tested and perfected! Don’t miss this lightened up version of Pecan Pie in bar form!

Pecan Pie Date Bars stacked on each other.

Pecan Pie Date Bars give you all of the delicious flavors of pecan pie in an easy to make bar. These bars stay sweet and moist thanks to the chopped dates and maple syrup. Perfect treat for the holidays!

For more holiday treats, be sure to check out these Pumpkin Ricotta Cookies or Authentic Pignoli Cookies! For another lightened up classic, check out these Caramel Apple Bites. And, pumpkin lovers, you definitely don’t want to miss my Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes!

Why You Need to Make this Recipe!

Pecan Pie Date Bars are something I love to serve around the holidays. I always leave the actual Pecan Pie making to my mother, who has perfected the recipe. But these little bars rank up there with her pie!

I like sweet dates add a rich flavor and help cut down on the amount of sugar that is needed to make the recipe. Plus, they have a delicious chewy texture and are fun to eat.

One bite of these bars and you’ll see why they are a favorite treat in my house. You get all of the pecan pie flavor you love in a simple little bar.

Pecan Pie Date Bars on a wood cutting board.

This is a great recipe to make ahead too! You can make them up to three days in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.

The wonderful thing about these bars are their guilt-free factor as compared to traditional pecan pie. The combination of sweetness from the dates and maple syrup means that you can use a lot less sugar than you do with traditional pecan pie.

Made with a flaky blender crust, this is one recipe that’s simple to put together and should definitely be added to your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

Pecan Pie Date Bar Ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, pecans, dates, maple syrup, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, brown sugar, and bourbon.

Dates: the dates give this recipe a sweet and chewy texture and pairs perfectly with the pecans. Use fresh Medjool dates if you can find them.
Pecans: this recipe gives you the pecan essence without using too many of the nuts. Use the chopped pecans if you can find them or dice up the whole nuts on your own.
Maple Syrup: the maple syrup helps sweeten the recipe and gives a deeper flavor.
Corn Syrup: in my opinion, corn syrup is necessary in pecan pie. The sticky syrup helps to sweeten and give the bars great texture.
Bourbon: this liqueur is a classic ingredient in pecan pie recipes. I use it here to add extra flavor but you can omit it if you’d like.

How to Make Pecan Pie Date Bars

Pecan Pie Date Bars are simple to put together and can be made ahead of time. These are a sticky bar so be sure to line your baking pan with parchment and nonstick spray before starting.

process shots showing how to make recipe including the crust and the filling.

Step 1: preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and line a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a food processor, mix together flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter. Process until mixture resembles fine sand.

Step 2: pour the flour mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a cup or your hand to press the flour into the pan. Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes; set aside to cool slightly. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Step 3: in a bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, flour, bourbon, and vanilla. Mix well so that all of the flour dissolves. Stir in the chopped dates and pecans.

Step 4: pour the mixture over the crust. Use a spoon to evenly distribute the pecans and break up any date chunks that are stuck together. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the center of the bars are set.

overhead photo of pecan pie date bars on a cutting board.

Let the bars cool in the pan completely before cutting. When ready to cut, just lift out the parchment and cut the bars into squares.

Recipe Tips

Use parchment paper, or nonstick foil, to line your baking pan, then coat with nonstick cooking spray.
Note that you pre-bake the crust at a higher temperature. You also need time to let the crust cool slightly before adding the filling.
To make the crust you can either use a food processor or a pastry cutter.
The bourbon adds a deep rich flavor that can’t be beat – try not to skip it if you don’t have to! (And don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off as you bake it.)
Like a chocolatey pecan pie bar? Add in ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips to the filling.
Let bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least an hour before removing them.
Make up to three days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or freeze in an airtight container for up to a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pecan pie date bars need to be refrigerated?

These bars are fine to sit in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Refrigerate to prolong the life and flavor of the bars.

Is it ok if the crust is dry and flaky?

When you make the crust for these bars you may think you did it wrong. However the crust is supposed to be very dry and resemble sand. Just press it into the baking pan and bake until golden brown.

Can I freeze these bars?

Pecan Pie Date Bars can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month. They are a great dessert to make ahead and freeze beautifully.

Pecan Pie Date Bars stacked on each other on a wood cutting board.

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