First of all thank you so much for voting for Pies and Plots in The Kitchn’s The Homies Best Sweets and Baking Blog Contest! Your support means so much to me <3 I finished in fourth place. While I didn’t technically win, I feel like a winner thanks to all of you. I mean who would have thought this little blog could compete with all the others out there?!? I can already tell this is going to be an awesome year!
Here in the Detroit area Fat Tuesday is also known as Paczki Day. If you are unfamiliar with them, paczki are big, yeast doughnuts typically filled with jelly or custard and coated with glaze or sugar. They are buttery, dense, soft, and pillowy. The best jelly doughnut you’ll ever have. At least that’s what people say and what I remember from being a kid.
Last year, Mom, Dad, and I went to Hamtramck, the paczki capital, to pick up some super authentic and sure to be delicious paczki from one of the best bakeries that make the time consuming treats. It was a cold, snowy day, but it was gonna be so worth it to sink our teeth into these glorious goodies.
The bakery wasn’t that crowded since we went the weekend before Paczki Day, as wait times on the actual day routinely exceed an hour. It smelled intoxicating and they looked great. I could barely wait until after dinner for my treat.
But wait I did, and when I took that first bite . . . I was not impressed. They were hard and chewy, almost like bread. There wasn’t enough glaze. Or was there any at all? And the jam tasted like nothing. I tore open almost all of the paczki, hoping one of them would be good, but they just weren’t. How could this be possible? Even the guys at Dad’s work were unimpressed when he took in the leftovers.
This year, I figured I’d stick to my own treats (though Brown Eyed Baker’s Paczki are on my list for next year!), so I made Pecan Bars and I am so glad I did. These are the best Fat Tuesday treat ever! The crust is so buttery and crumbly, and then there’s that filling. Gooey and caramel-y with tons of toasty pecans. I kept taking little tastes of these bars just to make sure they were good 😉 Plus, I found these really easy to make. I think Paczki Day just became Pecan Bar Day!
Pecan Bars #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 18 bars 1x
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ½ sticks cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- 1 stick unsalted butter, very soft, almost melted
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13 inch pan and line with parchment. Butter the parchment.
- Make the crust. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Work in the butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until it is in pea sized pieces. Add the water and continue working the dough until it comes together when pressed. Firmly press the dough in an even layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, make the filling. In a large bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, and vanilla until fully combined and all streaks of butter are gone. Stir in flour until just incorporated. Stir in the pecans until fully coated.
- Pour the pecan mixture over the baked crust and spread into an even layer. Return to the oven and bake for about 30 additional minutes. Cool bars completely in the pan. Once cool, cut bars and store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bars may also be frozen, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour or in a 350 degree F oven for about 10 minutes.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Claire Robinson
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Don’t forget to check out all the other Sunday Supper dishes!
Cocktails & Other Beverages:
- The Hurricane Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan
- The French 75 from Kimchi MOM
- Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Appetizers:
- Fried Oysters and Remoulade from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Shrimp in Mustard Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
- Mini Sweet Potato Pies from MealDiva
- Cajun Crab Beignets from Delaware Girl Eats
- Pancetta and Mushroom Arancini from Ruffles & Truffles
Main Dishes:
- Creole Shrimp Po Boy Recipe from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Supper for a Steal
- Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya from Yours And Mind Are Ours
- Vegan Pizza Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
- Red Beans and Rice from Cookin’ Mimi
- Baked Catfish Po’Boy from Curious Cuisiniere
- Muffaletta from Casa de Crews
- Bayou Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya from The Weekend Gourmet
- Seafood Gumbo from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Cajun Rice & Beans from Momma’s Meals
- Creole Celery Root Bisque (with Lobster) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Louisiana Roasted Barbecue Shrimp from Food Lust People Love
- Cajun Dirty Rice Bowls from The Dinner-Mom
- New Orleans Fried Chicken from Family Foodie
Side Dishes:
- Baked Endive and Pears in Blue Cream Sauce from Shockingly Delicious
- Okra Creole from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Desserts:
- Banana Creme Pie with Honey Whipped Cream and Pecan Brittle from The Foodie Patootie
- Chocolate Ganache Tart from Melanie Makes
- Banana Bread Pudding from Gotta Get Baked
- Delicious Saffron Baked Beignets from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- New Orleans Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Polish Paczki from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Buttermilk Beignets from The Messy Baker
- Eggless Bread Pudding in a Jar from What Smells So Good?
- Mint Julep Bars from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mardi Gras Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Frostingfrom Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Mardi Gras Long Johns from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Mexican Chocolate Coffee Cake from La Cocina de Leslie
- Fasnetküchle from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Cheesecake Swirl Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pecan and Chocolate Pralines from Desserts Required
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Clarks Condensed
- Baked Coconut Beignets from Mess Makes Food
- Ravioli dolci di Carnevale from Manu’s Menu
- Strawberry Paczki from Neighborfood
- Blackberry Fritters from girlichef
- Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
- Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mug w/ Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pecan Bars from Pies and Plots
- “Skinny Tuesday” Bananas Foster Cheesecake Parfaits from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mocha Pear Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Skinny Baked Beignets from Daily Dish Recipes
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
What a delicious recipe for bars! I love pecans! 🙂
You had me on these until I got to the maple syrup. No one in my family even likes the taste of Maple syrup. Is there something I could substitute for it? Thank you.
Honey or agave nectar should work. I hope that helps and that you enjoy the recipe, Danny!
I can’t decide if I want one or the entire stack! They look delicious!
oooooh gooey and caramely and pecan-y!! DELISH!!!!
Oh, these looks absolutely fabulous!
Oh my gosh! Your pecan bars look amazing! I don’t think I would be able to stop eating them!!!
What terrific pecan pie bars…seriously, the perfect ratio of pecans to filling to crust!!! The hubby won’t eat nuts, but I’ll come up with an excuse to make these 🙂
Caramel and pecans!! Oooey and gooey..I’m in!
My favorite nuts are pecans and I adore a dessert like this one. YUM!!!
That is such a bummer when dessert is talked up so much, and then doesn’t live up to your expectations. I don’t think that could happen with these pecan bars though…they look amazing and I’m sure taste just as great!
Good paczki are wonderful! I’ll bet the ones you make will be great. Certainly these pecan bars look wonderful! Really nice — thanks.
mmmm…. Pecan Bars! Can I give you my address?
Wish I could share 🙂
Wow! These bars look amazing. Pecans are my absolute favorite. Pinning! I’m sorry to hear your other treat didn’t turn out, but, hey, we get these gorgeous bars instead. Fourth place is awesome!
Thanks, Jennie!
Wow what a pecan packed bar! Yes, please!
I completely forgot about pecan bars until you posted this fantastic recipe. Looks awesome, thanks for sharing!
(Swoon!) These look so ooey & gooey & buttery delicious! 🙂
Thanks, Leslie and thanks for visiting!
This looks like one of those desserts that wouldn’t make it to the table before I devoured at least 3-4 bars! Yummy!!!
Mmm…. I love pecan bars or anything pecan for that matter! And congrats on 4th place – that is INCREDIBLE! Good things are coming your way 🙂
Thank you so much, Becky! I have a good feeling about this year 🙂
Pecan pie is one of my favorite desserts…I’m loving these little bars! 🙂
These look fabulous! {and happen to be my boyfriends favorite} YUM!
http://Youtube.com/TheSquishyMonsterTSM
I just love Pecans, can’t buy them in Spain so after a recent shopping trip to UK I have a few packages of them now. Have saved this recipe, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Bibs, and thanks for visiting 🙂
Oooh — pecans – the quintessential Louisiana dessert – yes!
I love anything with pecans. Thanks for visiting, Cathy 🙂
Ugh, there’s nothing worse than eating something that’s supposed to be delicious and then it turns out to be the opposite. What a waste of calories, not to mention the disappointment. I wouldn’t be disappointed to eat a pan of your gorgeous pecan bars, Laura. This looks so buttery ‘n creamy ‘n crunchy ‘n caramelly! Yum!
Oh boy the next time you make these?
Use a little heat in there–Soooooo good!
I adore pecan bars
That is a great idea! I have another recipe that calls for a little curry powder. I think that sounds like an interesting addition too.
This paciki thing is a new one to me. Or however it is spelled! But these pecan bars are delicious. I know because I make a version of these every year for Thanksgiving. Beats pecan pie any day!
I love pecan bars! these look fabulous 🙂 I’ve never heard of paczki, shame they weren’t nice!
Oh yum!! One of my favourite desserts are caramel pecan pie and so I can promise you if you loved close to me I would invite myself over..lol Xx
I’d be happy to share these with you, Johlene 🙂
BOO to bad packzi and YES to these bars!! I love pecan pie and with these babies I can basically eat it year round. I mean, I can eat it year round anyway, I guess, but somehow these seem more socially acceptable than pecan pie after Thanksgiving.
I’m so in love with pecan pie I eat it anytime, but I like your thinking and now have an excuse to make these bars again 🙂
hhhmmmm, yummy, look’s so crunchy and delicious, one excellent pecan bars that i have to taste it 😀
Yummy!! This looks amazing!
Diana
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Oh man, these bars look so deliciously decadent. And fit right in with this theme….serve me up a square, please!
These are beautiful. They would get gobbled up in no time flat at my house. Yum.
A perfect mardi gras cap-off!
Goodbye pecan pie and hello pecan bars. I want to reach in the screen and get one right now.