Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
(or) Maple Pecan Pie Bars

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One of my all time favorite recipe creations. The crust literally melts in your mouth.

Full Ingredient List
Shortbread Crust: Make TWO batches

Make each batch separately. Since the dough gets very thick, I prefer to do it in batches.

Per batch:
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ tsp. vanilla
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
No pre-baking.

Filling:
3 eggs
1 cup pecan pieces
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. bourbon
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 cup maple syrup
½ cup honey
2 Tbsp. molasses
¼ tsp. salt

If making without bourbon: Use 4 tsp. vanilla extract total instead of 2 tsp. vanilla extract and 2 Tbsp. bourbon.

Step 1: Prepare Pan

1. 9 x 13-inch metal pan
2. Grease pan however you prefer to do so. I use spray oil.

Step 2: Shortbread Crust

Make each batch separately.

Batch 1

1. Beat butter and vanilla until creamed.
2. Add sugar and salt; mix well.
3. Add flour; mix well.

Batch 2

1. Repeat the same process to make the second batch.
2. Combine the Batches
3. Mix the two batches together by hand.
4. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not too sticky.
5. Press into the greased pan and flatten evenly.
6. Chill the crust in the pan for 1 hour.

Do not chill the individual batches before combining them. The dough needs to be soft and pliable so it can be pressed into the pan easily.

Step 3: Pie Filling

1. While the dough is chilling:
2. Whisk 3 eggs in a medium to large bowl. Set aside.
3. Set 1 cup chopped pecan pieces aside.
4. Pour 2 tsp. vanilla and 2 Tbsp. bourbon into a small bowl or glass and set aside. If making the recipe without bourbon, use 4 tsp. vanilla extract instead.
5. In a large pot, place butter, maple syrup, honey, molasses, and salt. Make sure the pot is large because when you add the vanilla and bourbon, the mixture will bubble up rapidly and can boil over if the pot is too small.

10 minutes before the dough is done chilling:

1. Start heating the maple mixture over medium-high heat.
2. While stirring continuously, bring just to a boil and remove from heat.
3. Immediately add the vanilla and bourbon while stirring. It will rapidly bubble up, then simmer down.
4. Temper the mixture into the eggs: While whisking the eggs continuously, very, very slowly drizzle the hot maple mixture into the eggs until fully mixed.
5. Stir in pecan pieces and pour over the chilled dough.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 30 minutes.
Let cool completely, if you can, before cutting into bars.