Pecan Squares Recipes

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13x9-inch pan, and line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the two long sides. Butter the parchment. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar and salt, and pulse to combine. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the egg yolk and pulse to evenly distribute its moisture. The mixture should just hold together when you squeeze it in your hand. Add up to 2 tablespoons ice water, if necessary, but don't let the mixture get too wet: It should still be somewhat sandy.
• Tip the crumbs out into the prepared pan. Use your fingers or the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs up the sides about 1/4 inch to create a border. Press the remaining crumbs down to an even thickness. Bake the crust until light golden brown and set, about 40 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack while assembling the topping. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey and salt and bring to a strong simmer over medium heat, whisking ingredients together once the butter has melted. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Stir in the nuts and combine well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it evenly, keeping it within the border as best as you can.
• Bake the bars until the caramel is thickened and just set, about 20 to 25 minutes (the caramel will continue to firm up when cooled). Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely. Using the parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board to cut into equal pieces to serve.

PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Push foil neatly into corners and up sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure it overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from pan). Spray foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar and salt in a bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. It will seem dry; that's okay. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the refrigerator, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the crust until crust is set but not browned, about 17 minutes. Set on rack to cool. Leave oven on.
• In a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and boil gently for 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans.
• Pour pecan mixture over crust (it's fine if the crust is still warm). Bake until filling is bubbling and caramel in color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on rack. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift baked square out of pan and onto cutting board. Loosen the foil from the edges, then cut with a sharp knife into 2-inch squares. Store finished pecan squares in air-tight container and serve at room temperature.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: These can be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap with the layers separated by wax or parchment paper. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Gradually add flour, mixing until blended. Pat into an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes or until golden., In another small bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt until smooth. Pour over crust; sprinkle with pecans. Bake 40-45 minutes longer or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

FAVORITE PECAN PIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt; cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 20 minutes., For filling, in a large bowl, whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Spread over hot crust., Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until filling is set. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

MAPLE PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a mixer. Mix in the softened butter until a dough has formed. Press into an ungreased 8x8-inch baking dish, and prick with a fork.
• Bake the shortbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. While the shortbread is baking, beat the egg in a mixing bowl along with 1/3 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, and pecans. Pour the pecan mixture over the hot crust, and return to the oven. Continue baking until firmed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent sticking. Cool completely, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 365 degrees F.
• While the pastry is cooling, combine the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, honey, and salt in a large pot over high heat. Boil for 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and, at arm's length, carefully stir in the cream, being mindful of splatters.
• Add the pecans and mix thoroughly. Pour the filling evenly over the baked pastry. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the pastry flour and salt. Add the egg and egg yolk. Mix thoroughly.
• Press the dough evenly onto the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• To bake, cover the pastry with parchment paper and weigh it down with dried beans or pie weights (see Cook's Note*). Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely before removing the beans and parchment paper.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.
• For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Prepare pan (9x13 or 10x15) by lining it with parchment paper (or grease pan heavily because the filling gets quite sticky after baking).
• Crust: Place all crust ingredients in a mixer. Mix until it looks like coarse grain, then pour this crumbly mixture into prepared pan. Use floured fingers to pat dough firmly into place. Bake crust at 350°F until light golden brown, 22-24 minutes (9x13) or 20-22 minutes (10x15).
• Filling: While crust is baking, place pecans in food processor and pulse to chop coarsely; set pecans aside.
• In a saucepan, melt butter; then add white sugar and stir until dissolved. REMOVE FROM HEAT NOW and add corn syrup, vanilla and eggs. Add pecans. (It's important that this mixture is warm, but not HOT which would cook the eggs).
• Remove crust from oven; pour warm pecan mixture over hot crust and return to oven. Bake at 350°F for 32-34 minutes (9x13) or 25-27 minutes (10x15 jellyroll). When it is done, only the very center will appear wobbly and most of the filling will have puffed up slightly to indicate that the eggs are cooking and setting up.
• **Tip for cutting: freeze pecan squares a couple hours, then use a serrated knife which will score through the pecans for perfect small squares.
• Chocolate Pecan Squares: Add 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the filling before baking.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine 3/4 cup butter, powdered sugar and salt in processor. Process until moist clumps begin to form. Add flour and egg and process just until dough forms.
• Press dough onto bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake until crust is golden brown, about 22 minutes. Cool crust slightly. Maintain oven temperature.
• Bring brown sugar, honey and remaining 3/4 cup butter to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring frequently. Boil 2 minutes. Add vanilla. Stir in pecans. Pour pecan filling onto prepared crust. Bake until filling thickens and bubbles all over, about 25 minutes. Cool completely on rack. Cut into 2-inch squares. (Pecan squares can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Grease jelly roll pan.
• FOR CRUST: Beat flour, sugar, butter and salt in large bowl on medium speed until crumbly (mixture will be dry).
• Press firmly in pan.
• Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Prepare filling.
• For Filling: Mix all ingredients except pecans until well blended.
• Stir in pecans.
• Pour filling over baked layer; spread evenly.
• Bake until set, about 25 minutes; cool.
• Cut into 1 1/2" squares.
• Makes about 70 squares.

PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Blend flour and powdered sugar in processor. Add butter and cut in, using on/off turns, until moist clumps form. Press dough onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
• Stir pecans, brown sugar, honey and cream in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Boil until mixture bubbles, about 2 minutes.
• Pour pecan mixture over crust. Bake until filling bubbles and is light caramel color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and store at room temperature.) Cut into squares and serve.

MOTHER'S PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Cream the butter and 1 cup of the dark brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 beaten egg then add the flour and until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
• Cover the batter with the remaining well-beaten egg. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the dark brown sugar over the surface then sprinkle with the chopped pecans and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes then cut into squares.

PECAN PIE BARS I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Cut in 1 cup of margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the prepared pan, and press in firmly.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
• While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, corn syrup, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 tablespoons margarine, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans. Spread the filling evenly over the crust as soon as it comes out of the oven.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars.