Decadent Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Decadent dark chocolate pecan pie bars are a deliciously indulgent dessert that combines the richness of dark chocolate with the nutty crunch of pecans and the sweet, gooey texture of traditional pecan pie filling.  It’s a family favorite dessert…even if you don’t like pecan pie, I think the dark chocolate wins, and I promise you’ll love these bars!  

What makes these bars so amazing is the different layers and flavors together!

• Dark Chocolate: The deep, slightly bitter flavor of dark chocolate balances the sweetness of the filling, making these bars less sugary and more sophisticated than traditional pecan pie.
• Pecan Crunch: The pecans provide a satisfying crunch and a toasty, buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with the smoothness of the chocolate and the syrupy, caramel-like filling.
• Buttery Pie Crust: The base, often made from a buttery shortbread or graham cracker crust, holds everything together and provides a soft, melt-in-your-mouth contrast to the crunchy pecans.  I like to use a gluten free crust, but any crust of your choice works!

Why I Choose this Dessert

1. Perfect Party Dessert–Unlike a traditional pecan pie that can be messy and difficult to slice, these easy pecan pie bars are easy to cut into neat portions with an even layer, making them perfect for potlucks, parties, or as a gift. Their portability and ability to be eaten by hand make them an excellent choice for any event, plus no need to carry whipped cream with you!  
2. Unique–Because pecan pie is already a beloved dessert, especially around the holiday season, adding dark chocolate to the filling turns it into something even more special!  The chocolate adds a touch of decadence, making these bars feel more like a gourmet treat.
3. Easy to Make (and Make Ahead). These bars can be made in advance, which is a major time-saver if you’re preparing for a gathering. You can bake them a day or two ahead in a baking dish and store them in an airtight container. The flavors meld beautifully over time, and they keep well for several days.
4. Versatility–While dark chocolate is the star of these bars, you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your preferences. Swap the dark chocolate for milk chocolate for a sweeter version, or add a touch of vanilla extract, sea salt, or even a hint of bourbon for added complexity.

As you can see above, these are the perfect combination of a rich, nutty filling and a deep, satisfying chocolate flavor, all atop a buttery crust–or gluten free in my version!  Again, these are a great alternative to traditional pecan pie and are perfect for any occasion you might need a decadent dessert.

To Make Decadent Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, You’ll Need Some Simple Ingredients.

• Crust: A buttery shortbread or graham cracker crust is a good base. It’s usually baked until golden to provide a stable foundation for the filling.  I like to use a gluten free crust, but any crust works!
• Filling: This is a mixture of dark chocolate, eggs, sugar, butter, and maple syrup, along with a generous amount of toasted pecans. The chocolate is melted and incorporated into the filling to create a silky, fudgy texture.  The traditional pecan pie recipes call for corn syrup but in new recipes a lot of people are subbing the corn syrup for maple syrup, which is a healthier choice!
• Topping: Some people like to sprinkle additional chocolate chips or chopped pecans on top before baking for extra crunch and decadence

Decadent Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients for the Crust

• 1 ½ cups all purpose gluten free flour blend (my favorite is the store boughten ones like Nicole’s Best Blend, plus more for sprinkling
• ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your blend already contains it (use a heaping 3/4 teaspoon)
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 5-6 tablespoons unsalted butter roughly chopped and chilled
• ½ cup sour cream full fat
• Ice water by the teaspoonful 

For the Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves (lightly toasted, check out my tips below)
• 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (70% cacao)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, place the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and salt, and use wisk to mix. Add the chopped butter, and toss to coat it in the dry ingredients.
• Use your fingers to mix the chilled butter a little bit with the dry ingredients, smoothing them together like shards.  This will help mix the crust mixture with the butter.  It’s an extra step, but is worth it when you mix everything together in a large mixing bowl. 
• Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients with the butter shards, add the sour cream, and mix to moisten the dry ingredients with the sour cream. The dough should be shaggy and somewhat crumbly.  You can also use a food processor and pulse slightly until the dough is somewhat together.  It shouldn’t take a long time. 
• Knead the dough together with clean hands until it begins to come together. Add your ice water by the teaspoon if necessary for the dough to stick and hold together.
• Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, and press into a flat circle as you close the plastic wrap around the dough and let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 375°F. 

2. Pre-bake the Crust:

• Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and unwrap.  Line your 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the edges slightly for easy removal.
• You’ll use your fingers to line the bottom of the pan with the crust, going to the edges.
• You’ll want to pierce the bottom of the pie crust all over with a fork.
• Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the raw crust and cover the bottom of the crust with pie weights or dried beans.
• Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake until the crust is lightly golden brown on the edges, about 10 minutes.

3. Prepare the Gooey Filling:

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and maple syrup, stirring and cooking for 2-3 minutes until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
• Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and salt. Mix until smooth.
• Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

4. Assemble and Bake:

• Pour the pecan and chocolate filling over the baked crust. Spread it evenly with a spatula.
• Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• The filling should be firm but slightly jiggly in the center. Keep an eye on it towards the end to avoid over-baking.

5. Cool and Slice

• Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled.  Some people like to add some extra chocolate chips on the top before cutting into bars.
• Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into squares or rectangles.
• These bars are rich and decadent, perfect on their own or served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.

Tips

1. Pecans: Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes enhances their flavor. Just be sure not to burn them!
2. Chocolate: Using dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage (70% or more) balances the sweetness of the filling and adds a deep, complex flavor.
3. Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Making dark chocolate pecan pie bars is an easy way to elevate a classic dessert with rich, complex flavors and textures. The combination of dark chocolate, pecans, and buttery crust makes them an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a pecan pie lover or a someone who loves chocolate, these bars are a winning choice!  I love sharing these favorite recipes with you all!  You can easily find more of these easy family favorites in my Nourish and Flourish GF Holiday Cookbook!