Description
Pecan pie cheesecake bars blend Southern dessert traditions into one irresistible treat. Rich layers of creamy cheesecake and caramelized pecans create a luxurious dessert you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113 grams)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
- Create the crust by combining flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the mixture evenly and firmly into the pan’s bottom, creating a compact base. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
- Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Incorporate eggs individually, then mix in vanilla extract and sour cream, ensuring a uniform consistency throughout the mixture.
- Gently pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the center is set and slightly firm to the touch, with minimal wiggling when gently shaken.
- Simultaneously, prepare the pecan topping by combining brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium temperature, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
- Remove the topping from heat and fold in chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the caramel-like sauce.
- After the cheesecake layer has set, carefully pour the pecan mixture over the surface, creating an even layer. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the topping becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to ensure proper setting and easy slicing.
Notes
- Chill cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake base that blends seamlessly.
- Use parchment paper overhang for easy removal and clean slicing of bars without breaking the delicate cheesecake layer.
- Prevent overbaking by checking cheesecake at 25 minutes; it should have a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to topping to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, rich taste profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 27 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg