Vegan Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

If you’re craving the classic flavors of pecan pie but want a recipe that is quick and easy to make, these vegan pecan pie bars are the answer! They’re perfect for any holiday gathering and will be a hit with everyone.

This recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth with its buttery crust and gooey, nutty filling that’s made without corn syrup. It also freezes well which makes for simple grab-and-go desserts throughout the season.

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Ingredients for Vegan Pecan Pie Squares

This recipe features 7 basic ingredients that are likely staples in your vegan kitchen. For the crust, you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour: Flour forms the base of the crust, providing structure and a tender texture.
• Brown sugar: Some brown sugar adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor to the crust.
• Vegan butter: Imparts richness and flakiness to the crust, creating a shortbread-like flavor and texture.

To make the ultimate vegan pecan pie filling, you’ll need:

• Vegan butter: This creates a velvety, buttery filling with plenty of richness!
• Brown sugar and maple syrup: Together, these create the perfectly sweet, gooey consistency pecan pie is known for.
• Vanilla extract: Elevate the other flavors with a hint of warm, aromatic vanilla.
• Corn starch: Instead of eggs, this recipe uses starch to thicken the filling, ensuring it sets correctly.
• Pecans: The start of the show, pecans provide a satisfying crunch and that beloved nutty flavor.

How to Make Pecan Pie Bars Vegan

This recipe is truly simple to make, far easier than a traditional pie since we don’t have to prepare pastry!

Step 1: Prep Crust and Partially Bake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour and brown sugar. Mix these together well, making sure there are no clumps of brown sugar.

Then cut cold vegan butter into the mixture with a pastry cutter or fork. You want the butter well incorporated into the flour so there are very small bits of butter throughout.

The pastry should hold together well when pressed in your hand, but then crumble away easily too.

Add your crust mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish, then press down very firmly into an even layer. Really make sure to press it as firmly as possible. Use a fork to poke some holes throughout the crust.

Place the crust into your hot oven for 15 minutes. Use this time to prepare filling.

Step 2: Prep Filling and Bake Squares

In a medium-sized sauce pot, melt vegan butter over low heat. When fully melted, turn off the heat.

Whisk in brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract and corn starch. Whisk extremely well, making sure there are absolutely no clumps of brown sugar or corn starch in the mixture.

Then, stir in the roughly chopped pecans.

When the crust has baked for 15 minutes, carefully remove it from the oven and pour over your prepared filling. Gently spread this into an even layer, then return the squares to the oven for another 25 minutes.

Once out of the oven, cool the squares to room temperature before cutting them into 16-25 pieces. This is a very sweet recipe so I recommend cutting these small (you can always go back for another).

If this is your only dessert, 16 pieces make a nice-sized serving (cut into 4x4 grid). If served alongside other desserts, go for smaller pieces so you have room for tasting other treats! You can cut 20 pieces in a 4x5 grid or 25 squares with a 5x5 grid.

It’s very important to cut the squares before refrigerating (they’re too hard to slice once cold).

Once cut, refrigerate these bars/ squares for up to a week. They can also be frozen.

Pecan Pie Bars Variations

While the classic pecan pie flavor is always welcome, you can also get creative by trying a few new flavors:

1. Chocolate Drizzle Delight: For a decadent twist, drizzle melted vegan chocolate over the cooled pecan pie squares. The combination of rich, velvety chocolate and nutty pecans is simply divine.
2. Coconut Bliss: Add a tropical flair by mixing shredded coconut into the pecan filling (about ½ cup unsweetened coconut).
3. Spice It Up: Toss a pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the filling mixture. These aromatic spices will make your pecan pie bars even cozier.

Some of my other shareable dessert treats that are great during holidays include:

• Vegan Date Squares
• Vegan Pumpkin Brownies
• Vegan Apple Turnovers

How to Refrigerate and Freeze This Recipe

Refrigerate cooled and cut pecan pie squares in an airtight container for up to a week. These can be eaten cold straight from the fridge or let come up to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

This recipe freezes very well. Simply place cut and cooled squares into any freezer safe container or bag. They should store well for a few months. The bars can be served frozen or warmed to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.

If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!

📖 Recipe

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