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Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars

When I was in high school, I had a friend who would make the most delicious cinnamon-sugar pecans for an after-school treat for us. We all know how I love pecans and cinnamon, so you know I adore these.

Recently, I began thinking about those pecans and how very good they are. On a whim, I thought I would incorporate them into some baking. I wanted those sweet pecans to be the star, so I added them to a simple bar that would let them shine.

Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars are sweet, crunchy bars made with simple homemade cinnamon-sugar pecans. - Bake or Break

The bars themselves are very straightforward and streamlined. A little less sugar and no cinnamon, as you’ll get plenty of both from the pecans.

The cinnamon-sugar pecans are very easy to make. You’re going to want to eat some of them. That’s not only permissible, it’s encouraged. If you have a little less volume to add to the bars, they’ll still be delicious. Or, just toss in a few extras when you’re making them in anticipation of generous sampling.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecan Bars are sweet, nutty bars flavored with plenty of cinnamon. - Bake or Break

When the pecans cool off and are ready to be chopped, I recommend chopping them on a cutting board with a sharp knife. I routinely use a very handy nut chopper, but the manual method works better for these.

I try not to throw out these kinds of accolades very often, but I must say that these are one of my favorite bars. They’re just sweet enough and bursting with cinnamon and pecans. To me, they work as an anytime treat, from morning to evening.

Visit the Recipe Index for more pecan recipes!

Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars

Yield 16 2-inch bars
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 43 minutes

Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars are sweet, crunchy bars made with simple homemade cinnamon-sugar pecans.

Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars

Ingredients

For the pecans:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch salt

For the bars:

  • 1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the pecans:

  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pecans, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
  2. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the pecans are toasted (about 8 minutes).
  3. Spread the pecans out in a single layer on parchment paper or aluminum foil to let them cool.
  4. Once the pecans are cool, set aside 16 pecan halves. Coarsely chop the remaining pecans.

To make the bars:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set side.
  3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
  4. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Stir in the chopped pecans.
  5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place the reserved pecan halves over the top of the batter.
  6. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are brown and a pick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool in pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

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    8 Comments on “Cinnamon-Sugar Pecan Bars”

  1. Cinnamon-sugar anything says “I am going to love this & gotta bake ASAP”.

  2. I haven’t got pecans, but I think I can substitute them with walnuts..I have almost 500 grams of them.. 🙂

  3. These sound so good, those bars are so pretty!

  4. Oh man my mom loves pecans!! I’ll have to share this recipe with her she will flip out for sure for them; they look so scrumptious 😀

  5. These look so interesting and unique! Pecans are always welcome in baked goods, but caramelizing them first probably makes these really special.

  6. i’ll admit i donlt do a lot of bakign with nuts. But these looks very light!

  7. A great way to use Pecans in baking. Beautiful photography. Please check out the food blog I have just started http://www.surreyKitchen.wordpress.com. Thanks!

  8. I made these this past weekend. Had friends stop by. They disappeared.

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