Chocolate chip pecan pie bars combine the best of two desserts — chocolate chip cookies and old-fashioned pecan pie in one ooey gooey pan of deliciousness.
These chocolate chip pecan pie bars may be the best dessert I’ve ever made.
And that’s pronounced PEE-can, by the way. Or at least it is in my southern kitchen.
Words can’t describe how good these chocolate chip pecan pie bars are! Basically, it’s like you put a chocolate pecan pie on top of chocolate chip cookies. Oh my goodness!
These are definitely going into the holiday baking rotation.
And can I tell you how easy they are to make?
There’s a shortcut that may change how your whole outlook on piecrust.
Remember last week when I asked about your kitchen secrets and shortcuts? Well those Martha White baking mixes you see in my shopping cart can be used for so much more than just muffins.
Turns out they make a mighty fine crust for chocolate pecan pie bars and all kinds of southern desserts and recipes. You can now find Martha White baking mixes at your local Kroger store and Kroger banner store, like Harris Teeter. Better stock up for holiday baking season.
As a southerner, I didn’t think there was anything that could make pecan pie more perfect, but the chocolate chip cookie crust and the addition of chocolate to the pie topping takes my favorite dessert to a whole new level.
If you’re a fan of all things southern, don’t forget to tune in to the 49th Annual Country Music Awards at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 8. Martha White is a sponsor of the CMA Awards.
Our family has a special connection to the CMA Awards and the Country Music Hall of Fame. My great grandmother’s brother, Connie B. Gay, was the founding president of the Country Music Association and co-founder of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Connie Gay was a radio DJ whose syndicated show featured performances by legendary country acts. In fact, he coined the term “country music.” Gay is also credited with discovering Patsy Cline and Jimmy Dean, whose careers he later managed, along with those of many other artists. Gay also had a syndicated TV country music show, he owed radio stations and was a country music concert promoter. The Washington Post once called him “the greatest country music visionary no one’s ever heard of.”
I didn’t even know about our family’s connection to this country music legend until a few years ago. But I think it’s pretty cool to have him as part of our family tree. I wish I’d had the opportunity to hear some of his stories. Apparently, he lived a very interesting life. My grandmother remembers visiting once when Hank Williams Sr. was staying at Connie Gay’s house. Can you even imagine?
Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 packages Martha White Chocolate Chip Muffins
- 1 stick butter softened
For the Pie Topping
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
For the Crust
- Line an 8-inch glass pan with parchment paper, overlapping on all sides. Coat parchment, sides and bottom, well with cooking spray.
- Combine muffin mix and softened butter and mix well until a dough forms.
- Press the dough into the bottom of the parchment lined pan.
For the Pecan Pie Topping
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat together eggs, corn syrup, sugar, vanilla and salt.
- Slowly add the cooled, melted butter, being careful not to cook the eggs.
- Fold in pecans and chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
- Pour into baking dish on top of crust.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes, until the top is brown and mostly set. (The very center may still be a bit gooey, but it will firm up as the bars cool.)
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Lift bars out of pan using the parchment paper lining and cut into squares.
Nutrition