Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent dessert that tastes like pure indulgence but is actually packed with wholesome ingredients. These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are about to revolutionize your dessert game, offering all the rich, nutty goodness of traditional pecan pie without the heavy guilt. Perfect for health-conscious foodies, paleo enthusiasts, and anyone who craves a deliciously smart treat that doesn't compromise on flavor!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine almond flour, melted coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Mix thoroughly until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a uniform base layer. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to ensure an even distribution.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until it turns light golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining maple syrup, honey, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and smooth.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the pre-baked crust, creating a consistent layer.
- Pour the honey-egg mixture over the pecans, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour. The bars will firm up as they cool.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and slice into 16 even squares.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, bring to room temperature before serving.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality pecans for the most robust flavor and crunch.
- Make sure your coconut oil is fully melted but not hot when mixing with almond flour to create the perfect crust texture.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat squares.
- For extra richness, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the recipe.
- Check the bars around the 15-minute mark to prevent over-browning, as oven temperatures can vary.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the maple syrup slightly without compromising the recipe's structure.
- These bars are best served at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
