Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are a rich, homemade dessert with a buttery crust and a gooey chocolate-pecan filling. These easy, from-scratch dessert bars deliver classic pecan pie flavor in a simple, shareable square perfect for parties and holidays.
These Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars are everything you love about pecan pie, but easier to make and easier to serve. They have a tender, buttery crust topped with a rich chocolate and nut chunk filling that bakes up perfectly set yet still a little gooey in the center.
I love bar desserts like this because they feel casual and gourmet at the same time. No rolling pins mid-filling, no slicing wedges, just clean, delicious squares that are ready for a crowd.
This is a great recipe for holidays, potlucks, bake sales, or anytime you want a classic old-fashioned Southern-inspired dessert with a chocolate twist. They travel well, slice beautifully, and disappear fast. They’re part cookie and part pie all in one.
What I Love About This Recipe
- I love how these bars give you all the flavor of traditional pecan pie without the fuss of a full pie. The crust presses right into the pan and bakes quickly. It is simple, reliable, and very beginner-friendly. Less stress, same amazing taste.
- The chocolate filling is rich but balanced. The cocoa powder deepens the flavor while the chocolate chips melt into little pockets of gooey goodness. Paired with crunchy pecans, the texture is absolutely perfect. Every bite has something going on.
- These bars slice so cleanly once chilled. That makes them ideal for parties and sharing. They look neat, professional, and bakery-worthy without any extra effort.
- I also love how customizable this recipe is. You can easily swap out the chips or nuts depending on what you have on hand. It is a great base recipe that still feels classic.
Equipment You May Need
- 8×8-inch Square Baking Pan – The perfect size for thick, even bars.
- Mixing Bowls – Used to mix the crust ingredients and for mixing the filling.
- Electric Hand Mixer– Makes blending the crust and filling quick and easy.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars Ingredients
For the Crust
- Butter – Used to grease the pan and create a tender crust.
- All-Purpose Flour – Forms the base of the crust.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened butter helps the crust come together easily.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a hint of caramel flavor to the crust.
For the Filling
- Egg – Helps bind the filling.
- Egg Yolk – Adds richness and a custardy texture.
- Corn Syrup – Creates that classic gooey pecan pie consistency.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the filling evenly.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness to the filling.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the chocolate and pecans.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and richness.
- Chocolate Chips – Melt into the filling for extra chocolate flavor.
- Chopped Pecans – Add crunch and classic pecan pie texture.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
Step One: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Lightly grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch square baking pan.
Step Two: Make the Crust
In a medium bowl, add the flour, salt, softened butter, and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and crumbly. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.
Step Three: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, beat the egg, egg yolk, corn syrup, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, melted butter, vanilla, and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans with a spoon.
Step Four: Bake
Remove the crust from the oven and pour the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center appears set. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for clean slices.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for an extra indulgent dessert.
- You can cut the bars into any shapes you want, such as squares, triangles, or rectangles.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Chill the bars before slicing for the cleanest cuts.
- Do not overbake or the filling will lose its gooey texture.
- Use coarsely chopped pecans for the best crunch.
- You can use any kind of chocolate chips (like semi-sweet, dark, milk, or white) or nuts (like pecans, walnuts, macadamia, or hazelnuts). Or throw in some coconut.
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars FAQ
How should I store the Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze the Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars?
Yes. Freeze fully cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
How long will the Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars last?
They are best within the first few days, but stay delicious for several days when refrigerated or a couple of months in the freezer.
Substitutions?
You can use different flavored chips or swap pecans for another nut.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Low-fat substitutions are not recommended since fat is important for texture and flavor.
What else can I add to this recipe?
A pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder adds depth to the chocolate flavor.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – Requires egg and butter substitutes, which may affect the results greatly
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – You can try a sugar substitute.
Gluten-Free -Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the crust.
Other Bar Recipes You May Enjoy
- S’mores Bars – All the s’mores flavors, including marshmallow, chocolate, and graham crackers, in a cookie bar.
- Cannoli Cheesecake Bars – Part Italian cannoli, and part cheesecake.
- Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Pie Bars – Similar to these Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, but with dark chocolate and hazelnuts.
- German Chocolate Pie Bars – Easy cookie pie bars full of chocolate, pecans, coconut, and an ooey-gooey sweet chewy center.
Hope you enjoy this tasty Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars recipe. Tell me in the comments what kind of chocolate and nuts you used.
If you like chocolate and pecans, you may also like these Turtle Brownies that are full of chocolate, caramel, and pecans.
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust:
- Butter for greasing the pan
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Filling:
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- ⅓ cup corn syrup
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ¾ cup coarsely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Lightly grease an 8-inch-by-8-inch square baking pan or line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust. In a medium bowl, add the flour, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup softened butter, and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and crumbly. Press the crust in an even layer over the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown around edges.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the egg, egg yolk, corn syrup, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon melted butter, vanilla, and ⅛ teaspoon salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. With a spoon, stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.
- Remove the crust from the oven, and pour the filling evenly over the top of the crust. Spread filling evenly over crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the middle appears set. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- I like to place these bars in the fridge to get nice and cold before cutting into bars.
- Instead of chocolate chips and pecans, use another favorite flavored chip and nut!
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
