A lot of people have been asking what’s the difference between a pecan pie and a pecan bar. The simplest answer to that would be the shape. Pecan pies look like, well, pies. Pecan bars look like bars. As for the taste, they’re basically the same. A lot of people even call them pecan pie bars. This is actually funny because if you ask people what pecan pie tastes like, they would probably say that it is like a candy bar, in pie form. The main difference between the two is that pecan pie is almost always served at special family dinners, like Thanksgiving, where people put in extra effort for the meal to be extra special. While pecan bars, on the other hand, are made to fill those pecan pie cravings whenever they strike.
Pecan Bar Trivia
- Evidence found in Texas has shown that Native Americans used pecans in the area as early as 8,000 years ago.
- The earliest recipe for pecan pie was found in a cookbook from 1886 but there have been claims that the pies were already being consumed as early as 1800.
- Texas Governor James Hogg liked pecan trees so much that he asked if a pecan tree could be planted at his gravesite when he died.
- The primary sweetener for pecan pie bars is corn syrup.
Pecan Bar Buying Guide
Outside of local markets, bakeries, and farmers’ markets, it’s really hard to find pecan bars. Pecan bars haven’t entered the mainstream commercial market so they’re mostly handmade by home bakers and small shop owners. The best way to find out if a store or baker makes good pecan bars is by social proof. If the people are lining up to get the pecan bars then that’s a very good sign. Another thing to look out for if that store or market specializes in pecans. If they specialize in pecan products then that can be a good sign that their pecan bars will be good. But if they just have pecan bars as one of many choices then it might be a good idea to ask around first.
Pecan Bar Production & Farming in Texas
Since Texas is home to several pecan growers and farmers, it is also home to a lot of bakers that make some of the best pecan bars in the country. The best pecan bars though are made by those who have worked with pecans all of their lives. If you’re searching for the best pecan bars, then you should start your search at pecan growers. If they don’t make pecan bars themselves, then they can surely point you in the right direction.
Packaging:
Pecan bars are packed just like any pastry bar from bakeries, on top of baking paper and in a box.
Enjoying Pecan Bars
Pecan bars can be enjoyed warm from the oven or cold, there’s no such thing as a bad pecan bar.
Storage:
Pecan bars should be stored in the fridge. They can last for up to a week inside the refrigerator. Pecan bars can be reheated in the oven for 3 or 4 minutes so that they’re back to their gooey state, just be careful not to burn your tongue!
Cooking:
Make your own Pecan Bars:
If you have access to locally grown pecans (the best in our opinion) then you can turn them into excellent pecan bars in under an hour.
Ingredients
Crust ingredients:
Two cups all-purpose flour
one-third cup sugar
one-fourth teaspoon salt
three-fourths cup cold butter, cubed
Filling ingredients:
Four large eggs
one and a half cups of corn syrup
one and a half cups of sugar
three tablespoons butter, melted
one and a half teaspoons of vanilla extract
two and a half cups of chopped pecans (locally grown organic is the way to go here)
Step 1:
In a large bowl, mix all of the crust ingredients aside from the cold butter. Slowly cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a 15×10 pan to about an inch thick. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
Step 2:
While the crust is baking, mix together all of the filling ingredients.
Step 3:
Once the crust is done baking, spread the filling mixture over it and return to the oven to bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the filling is set.
Step 4:
Let it cool down and cut into bars. Enjoy!
