Gluten-Free Pecan Bars

A short-bread like cookie base + the YUMMIEST pecan filling makes for an out of this world gluten-free treat! Perfect anytime but especially around the holidays. Plus this gluten-free dessert is dairy-free optional, corn syrup-free and super EASY to make!

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Gluten-Free Pecan Bars

Easy Recipe for the Best Gluten-Free Pecan Bars!

New! Just made our first batch of the season and these are too good! A personal favorite!

And now you can watch a cooking video on this page to see how easy they are to make.

And if you’re new to this website, at the bottom of every recipe page is a printable recipe with exact measurements and directions.

Hope you love them too!

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Original post…

These New Gluten-Free Pecan Bars are out of this world!

A shortbread-like cookie base topped with the yummiest pecan filling, my taste testers have been going crazy for them!

I made these new this year as an alternative to our pecan pie at Thanksgiving.

We have so many pies are our Thanksgiving and everyone wants to sample them all but not an entire slice if you know what I mean…

So these pecan bars are a perfect way to enjoy just a taste of your pecan pie!

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com

The recipe combines our favorite shortbread cookie base from our Raspberry Crumble Bars with a filling based on crowd-pleasing Pecan Pie to make a real win!

Not only are they super tasty but in a bar form (rather than pie), they are so versatile— equally perfect on a holiday table, weekend party, game day dessert or as anytime treat!

The cookie base has a nice buttery flavor and perfect texture that provides just enough cookie to balance the jammy pecan filling…. and the filling is perfectly caramelized with just the right amount of sweet being balanced the crunch of the pecans.

So, so yummy!

And they are super easy to make!

They are made with 9 real, whole food ingredients, ones you probably have in your pantry with the exception of maybe the pecans.

Let’s start with the shortbread cookie base.

It’s just 4 ingredients and comes together quickly.

You’ll need:

gluten-free all purpose flour (we use GF Jules, affiliate link)

cane sugar

salt

 butter or dairy free butter.

gluten free pecan bars www.healthygffamily.com

As an aside, you may have noticed that we are affiliate for GFJules.  To learn more about why we love GFJules flour and why we have used it for 10 years, click here.

Bonus: at the bottom of that post is a one-time use affiliate Discount Code.

And importantly, purchasing through an affiliate link does not change your cost at all. It generates a small percentage of the sale for me, and purchasing through an affiliate link helps me fund this website and all the recipes I share, so thank you!

Back to the gluten-free Pecan Bars

This is one of those baking instances where order of operations matters…. mix the dry ingredients, then mix in the butter 1 piece at a time.  Mix well and a dough will form.

Press into a pan and bake for 15 minutes.

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com

While it bakes for just 15 minutes, you mix together the pecan filling.

As I mentioned, the filling is based on our amazing pecan pie, recipe from the Wayside Inn.

It’s just 6 ingredients and no corn syrup! (still 9 ingredients from your pantry because butter or dairy free butter is used in both the cookie base and the filling)

You’ll need:

eggs

maple syrup

brown sugar

vanilla extract

a touch of butter

and lots of pecans.

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com

And it comes together quickly.

You first beat the eggs until they’re well combined, then add int the maple syrup and brown sugar and beat until the mix is a little frothy.

Add in the vanilla, butter and pecans and you are set!

Pour over the baked cookie base and top with a few whole or crush pecans and bake!

That’s it!

You could top it with extra crushed pecans, like the photo on the left or with whole pecans, like the photo on the right.

I’ve done both and both taste the same. It’s just a matter of preference.

And since you’re going to want to make these more than once, you can switch it up!

Just let the bars cool, slice into square and enjoy!

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com

These bars are a fan favorite getting rave reviews from everyone, which makes them perfect dessert for a entertaining or any time!

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com

Hope you love them as much as we do!

For more Thanksgiving Recipes, click here.

Some favorites include:

The Best Gluten-Free Stuffing

Sweet Potato Casserole with pecan crumble

Easy Cornbread

Easy Dinner Rolls

Our Famous Cranberry Sauce

Desserts!

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Apple Crumble Bars

Pumpkin Sheet Cake with cream cheese frosting

PIN it!

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfreerecipes www.healthygffamily.com

 

 

Scroll down for recipe and leave a comment if you try.

Recipe

 

gluten free pecan bars #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipees www.healthygffamily.com
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4.50 from 26 votes

Gluten-Free Pecan Bars

These easy gluten-free Pecan Bars are out of these world! A simple shortbread-like cookie base topped with the yummiest pecan filling. Perfect for the holidays or an anytime treat!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert, Holidays, Cookies/ Bars
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Optional
Servings: 16 squares
Author: Healthy Gluten-free Family

Ingredients

Shortbread Cookie Base

  • cups gluten-free flour with xanthan gum (we used GF Jules, affiliate link)
  • cup cane sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons butter or dairy free butter softened, cut into tablespoons

Pecan Filling

  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 1/3 cups pecans broken pieces (plus whole pecans or crushed pecans for the top -- optional but recommended)

Instructions

Make Shortbread Cookie Base

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
  • Line 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper such that the paper hangs over the edges OR is tucked in in such a way that you can lift the paper right out of the pan when the bars are done.
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, add flour, cane sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl and on low speed combine for about 5 seconds.
  • Add butter, 1 piece at a time and continue mixing until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Using your hands, press the remaining dough into an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake 14-16 minutes or until set, edges may start to brown.
  • After cookie base is baked, reduce oven to 325 degrees F

Make filling

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs well using an electric mixer.
  • Add maple syrup and brown sugar, beat until well combined and a little frothy.
  • Add the last three ingredients (vanilla, butter, pecans) and mix until well combined.
  • Pour on top of cooked cookie base.
  • Add a few extra whole or crushed pecans to the top of the pie in any design or random pattern you like.
  • Bake (at 325 degrees F) for 45 minutes, checking at 35 minutes to make sure pecans not burning. If pecan's are starting to brown too much, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  • Let Cool. Remove from pan and slice into squares. Serve and enjoy!
  • Stays well in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyGFFamily or tag #HealthyGFFamily!

 

44 thoughts on “Gluten-Free Pecan Bars

  1. 5 stars
    I just made these and are they ever delicious! I used regular flour because nobody in our home is celiac or sensitive to gluten. I also made a small serving without pecans for my child that’s allergic to nuts. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I will be making this regularly.

  2. 5 stars
    I made these pecan bars to bring Thanksgiving dinner. They were a huge hit with every one! Thanks for the delicious (and simple) recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    These pecan bars are fantastic. After years of a restricted diet it’s the best gift to stumble on such a delicious recipe in such an incredible blog.

    I made mine dairy, egg, gluten free, refined sugar free. The crust was not as fluffy as pictured but it didn’t make any difference. Even my “give me all the gluten and sugar and dairy” brother loved them at Thanksgiving.

    Karen … you are genius.
    Merry Christmas

  4. 5 stars
    These bars are awesome! I substituted regular white sugar for the cane sugar and used Namaste gf flour (at Sobeys in Canada). The dough did take a few minutes to form but be patient as it will start to clump up in little balls and start pulling from the bowl.

    Male sure the butter is soft enough too as I had to microwave the filling mosture briefly to get the butter to incorporate better!

    Worked beautifully and so easy to cut and freeze!

  5. I made these today & wow oh wow were they delicious. I substituted the sugar for coconut sugar, and next time I want to try and substitute the flour for almond flour. They are so easy to make, they’ll have the whole house smelling good in minutes.

  6. How much is 1 ⅓ T butter? How do you measure that? Or, do you weigh it?
    I am dying to try this one. will it matter if I use more or less butter estimating that amount?

  7. 5 stars
    Made these for thanksgiving instead of a pecan pie since my daughter is gluten free. She cut into them right away. They were excellent. Thanks for the recipe. Everyone loved them and no one could tell they were gluten free!

  8. 5 stars
    I’ve been gluten/soy free for over 10 years now due to allergies. Let me tell you, making this dessert…. WOW!!! Very easy to make and what a crowd pleaser! It was perfect for our thanksgiving dessert. Can’t begin to thank you enough. One of many recipes we have tried of yours and are now household staples!

  9. 5 stars
    Made these for thanksgiving and omg seriously best dessert ever. My gf husband was so beyond happy and none of us could resist!! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe

  10. What can be subbed for the maple syrup? Anything? Believe it or not, my husband is not really a fan. He’s getting pickier in his old age! Thank you.

  11. These look so good – do you think I could add chocolate chips to the batter? I always like combining dark chocolate with nuts.

  12. 5 stars
    These were so yummy! I made them for dessert for my extended family and everyone loved them, even gluten free people. All the best parts of pecan pie but better! Perfect for the holiday season.

  13. 5 stars
    Made these for Thanksgiving and they turned out amazing. So addicting! As always this GF shortbread crust is the bomb. I don’t feel cheated in any way.

  14. 5 stars
    I just had this at a picnic. We all brought desserts and I have to say this was the best one! This does not taste like gluten free at all. It is delicious and well worth creating.

  15. 4 stars
    Very good, the crust was a little dry, i think i will try coconut oil instead of dairy free butter. But great taste.

  16. I am allergic to eggs. Do you think using flax meal as an egg substitute will work? I could try the bobs red mill egg sub if you think that might work better.

    1. Great question! I’ve never made these with an egg substitute. While I love flax egg, I find it doesn’t work as well when subbing for 2 eggs…. maybe a more liquid-y egg substitute? In general though the egg isn’t adding flavor but working more as a binding agent so if you have an egg substitute you love, it should taste great!

  17. 4 stars
    Excellent flavor. The shortbread crust came out somewhat cake-like – expected more of a cookie texture – so not sure if I should have cooled it fully before putting the pecan filling on top? It did not stay two well defined layers like in your photos.

  18. 5 stars
    They are so good!! I’m recently avoiding gluten and was craving all the baked goods. This recipe did the trick!!
    I used King Arthur GF flour blend and it turned out great. Followed the recipe pretty spot on (instructions, measurements, and cook times). The shortbread was very crumbly in the mixer, but held together well when pressed into the pan. Subbed out raw sugar for the brown sugar (for a friend) and forgot the vanilla, but didn’t miss it in the final product. Definitely a keeper!!

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