Imagine the smell of toasted pecans, bubbling maple syrup, and buttery shortbread filling your kitchen — the kind of cozy scent that makes everyone wander in asking, “What are you baking?”
These bars are gooey in the center, caramelized at the edges, and finished with a shiny pecan top that crackles slightly as you cut into it. They’re simple to make, stunning to look at, and even more addictive than classic pecan pie.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the flavor of pecan pie — no rolling or fussing 🥧
- Sweet, sticky, and nutty perfection
- 100% vegan and dairy-free
- Great for gifting or Thanksgiving dessert tables
- Gooey center + golden crust = pure holiday magic ✨
This recipe was born out of pure holiday craving — that cozy, maple-rich flavor of pecan pie, but in a quick, snackable form. With only a few pantry staples, you get the same gooey filling and golden crust, but baked into bars you can slice and share.
They’ve become a Dream Life Cooking must-have every Thanksgiving — easy to make ahead, easy to serve, and impossible not to love.
Maple Pecan Pie Bars (Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert)
Description
These Maple Pecan Pie Bars are rich, sticky, and completely indulgent — with a buttery shortbread base and a gooey pecan-maple filling that melts in your mouth. 100% vegan and dairy-free, they’re the perfect bite-sized Thanksgiving dessert that feels festive, nostalgic, and dangerously delicious.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
For the Filling:
Instructions
Make the Crust
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, melted butter, maple syrup, and salt until dough forms. Press evenly into the pan and bake 10 minutes.
Make the Filling
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In a saucepan, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, cornstarch, and vegan butter. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking until thickened (about 3–5 minutes). Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and chopped pecans.
Assemble & Bake
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Pour pecan mixture over baked crust and spread evenly. Bake another 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden on top.
Cool & Slice
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Let bars cool completely before slicing — the filling will firm as it sets.
Note
💡 Tips
- Let cool fully for perfect clean slices.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for contrast.
- Double the recipe for a larger pan — these disappear fast.
Make It Ahead:
These bars store beautifully — refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze for up to a month.
Flavor Upgrade:
Add a splash of bourbon or espresso to the filling for depth.
Serving Idea:
Serve warm with vegan vanilla ice cream or coconut whip.
