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Budget-Friendly Pecan Pie Bars for Two – No Waste Dessert

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These pecan pie bars for two deliver all the sticky-sweet-nutty goodness of classic pecan pie without the waste or high cost. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under an hour, they’re perfect for a weeknight treat or a small gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons (15-30ml) ice water
  • 1 cup (100g) pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking dish (6-inch square or similar) with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon ice water and stir with a fork until dough clumps together. Add more water if needed, one teaspoon at a time.
  3. Press dough evenly into the bottom and about 1/4 inch up the sides of the prepared dish. Prick crust with a fork. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly golden around edges. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. While crust bakes, roughly chop pecans. Spread on a small baking sheet and toast for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and glossy.
  6. Sprinkle toasted pecans evenly over pre-baked crust. Pour filling over pecans, spreading evenly. Gently nudge pecans if needed.
  7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil for last 5 minutes.
  8. Cool in dish for at least 20 minutes. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 4 equal bars once completely cool.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the pecans for best flavor. Let bars cool completely before cutting to avoid runny filling. For best results, use room temperature egg. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: pecan pie bars, small batch dessert, budget-friendly dessert, pecan bars for two, no waste dessert

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/budget-friendly-pecan-pie-bars-for-two-no-waste-dessert/