Description
These Orange-Maple Pecan Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a chewy pecan filling, and a luscious cream cheese swirl, all topped with a bright orange-maple glaze. They’re perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat with coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g (1 ⅔ cup) all-purpose flour
- 100 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 50 g (¼ cup) powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 30 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
- Pinch of salt
- 300 g (2 ½ cup) pecan halves, coarsely chopped
- 180 g (¾ cup) dark brown sugar
- 120 ml (½ cup) pure maple syrup
- 80 g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (alcohol-free)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 120 ml (½ cup) pure maple syrup
- 60 ml (¼ cup) fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 30 g (2 Tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp water
- 30 g (¼ cup) toasted pecan pieces
- 1 tsp orange zest
- Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) pan with parchment paper.
- Craft Shortbread Crust: Whisk flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Press and Bake Crust: Press into pan and bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden.
- Whip Cream Cheese Swirl: Beat cream cheese, sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Prepare Pecan Filling: Whisk brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom. Fold in pecans.
- Assemble and Bake Bars: Spread cream cheese over crust, then pecan filling. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until set.
- Cool Completely: Let cool completely in the pan.
- Make Orange-Maple Glaze: Simmer maple syrup, orange juice, zest, and butter.
- Thicken the Glaze: Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
- Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle glaze over bars, sprinkle with pecans, zest, and salt.
- Cut and Serve: Lift bars from pan and cut into squares.
Notes
For best results, use pure maple syrup and cold butter. Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: pecan pie,bars,maple,orange,cream cheese,dessert,fall,baking,easy