Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars

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Pecan pie is so sweet that we love to cut a tray of small bars. These pecan pie bars also have a gluten-free shortbread crust!

Pecan pie bar with gluten-free shortbread crust.

We love pecan pie, but it can be overly sweet, especially if you don't eat a lot of heavy sweets. It can also get expensive if you're going all out with pecan halves! We've turned our favourite pie into the best pecan pie bars! Perfect to cut small for gatherings with lots of desserts, or gussy them up and cut large slices for a bake sale.

If you are splurging on the nuts, hold some back for Nutmeg Pecan Pralines as your show stopper! A classic, and similar, Canadian treat, is Maple Syrup Butter Tarts, also in individual servings. If that's not enough ooey-gooey for your day, start off with Healthy Cinnamon Rolls - which have the best topping ever.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for gluten-free pecan pie bars.

Pecans - Chopped pecans are perfect here to give you lots of coverage on the filling. feel free to add in halves on your slices, especially if cutting them large.

Flour - Pick up your favourite gluten free flour for this crust. Make sure it is a 1-to-1 blend specifically made for baking and replacing wheat flour in equal portions. Bob's Red Mill and King Arthur Flour both make good blends.

Sweetener - Both maple syrup and granulated are used here to achieve the proper texture and taste.

Butter - Lots of butter for both the filling and the crust.

Eggs - Again, these give the filling the perfect texture when baked.

How to Make Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust

***See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.***

Step 1: Grate butter over top of flour.

Step 2: Combine to crumbs.

Step 3: Pour dough into lined baking dish.

Step 4: Press the crust evenly into the bottom.

Step 5: Whisk all filling ingredients except nuts.

Step 6: Pour into prepared crust.

Baked gluten-free pecan pie bars in a dish.

Step 7: Top evenly with pecans.

Step 8: Bake until golden and set.

FAQs

Do I have to use pecans?

I have made all sorts of pecan desserts with walnuts instead, because sometimes you just need the cheaper option. It still tastes great! Also, chopped pecans are often cheaper than the halves so look into it before you write it off. You can also absolutely make this nut-free! Look for raw pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds and use those. Just make sure they aren't roasted and salted.

How do I make an easy pie crust?

The best part about this recipe is there's no rolling out involved - no worrying about tearing holes or having not enough crust. This dough is made crumbly and simply pressed into the baking dish. It's super easy for novice bakers and kids alike. Make sure your butter is super cold - it can even be used directly from the freezer. That makes it even easier to grate.

Photos by Megan Hampton

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