Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars offer a delicious twist on the classic holiday treat. These easy-to-make bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a sweet pecan filling, plenty of chocolate chips, and chopped pecans. Portable and hand-held, they’re ideal for Thanksgiving or any time you want a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Dessert is often the moment everyone looks forward to most. While traditional pecan pie is beloved, this bar version keeps the familiar flavors but makes them portable and easier to serve. Meet Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars — pecan pie reimagined as a hand-held bar.

What Is Pecan Pie?

Pecan pie is a type of sugar pie traditionally made with corn syrup combined with eggs, sugar, butter, and pecans. It’s most often served at holiday gatherings but is delicious any time of year. These bars capture the same caramel-like filling and crunchy pecans with the added appeal of chocolate and a tender shortbread base.

Why Pecan Pie Bars Are Better

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are an excellent alternative to a whole pie when you want something easy, portable, and crowd-friendly. Highlights:

• Handheld and portable — easy to grab and go.
• All the classic pecan pie flavors with chocolate for extra richness.
• No forks or plates required — less cleanup.
• A buttery shortbread crust provides a tender, sturdy base for the filling.

Ingredients

To make these Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, you’ll need the following:

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar for the crust
• Cold butter for the shortbread crust
• Milk
• Salt
• Brown sugar for the filling
• Eggs
• Dark corn syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Chocolate chips (mini semi-sweet work well)
• Chopped pecans

How to Make Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
• Scatter the pecans on a baking sheet or directly in the pan and toast for about 5 minutes to bring out their flavor. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• For the shortbread crust, whisk the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. If you have a food processor, add the milk and cold butter chunks and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Alternatively, cut in the butter and knead by hand until sandy.
• Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.
• While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: in a mixing bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the dark corn syrup.
• Fold in the chocolate chips and toasted chopped pecans. Let the filling rest for about 15 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Pour the filling over the baked crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for about 45 minutes, until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
• Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with extra chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Cool completely in the pan, then lift out using the parchment overhang. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Pro Tips for Success

• Use cold butter for the shortbread crust to achieve a tender, crumbly texture.
• Allow the filling to rest for 15 minutes before pouring; it will thicken and yield a better texture when baked.
• If you prefer no chocolate, omit the chips — the bars will still be delicious.
• Cool the bars completely before slicing. Cutting while warm can cause them to fall apart.

Storing Leftovers

These bars make a great make-ahead dessert. Once cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will keep for up to five days refrigerated.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars to save time before a holiday. Bake and cool completely, cut into squares, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator the day before serving.

More Holiday Desserts

• Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
• Pumpkin Cobbler with Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce
• Cranberry Walnut Apple Slab Pie
• Pumpkin Crunch Cake
• Easy Apple Pear Crisp
• Pumpkin Monkey Bread with Salted Caramel Glaze

Enjoy!