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    Home » Brownies & Bars » Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Bars

    Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Bars

    Published: Jul 17, 2015 by Jen Sobjack · 44 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

    Jump to Recipe

    If you like pecan bars, you will go nuts for this bourbon and chocolate version! These chocolate bourbon pecan bars are soft, chewy, crunchy, and gooey. They’re unlike any other bar dessert I’ve made.

    A close up view of a chocolate bourbon pecan bar on a piece of white parchment paper.

    Layering chocolate pecan pie filling, spiked with bourbon, over a chocolate cookie crust will up your pecan bar game. Who knew that all these flavors would be so great together!

    This takes pecan pie bars to a whole new level!!

    The recipe is so easy. You won’t need to pull out the heavy mixer. Nope, not today – just a couple of bowls and a spatula.

    I made a fairly small batch in a 9x9-inch baking pan, but I cut the bars rather large. You can always double the recipe or cut them smaller to feed more people if needed.

    Side view of chocolate bourbon pecan bars on a piece of white parchment paper.

    Start by making the chocolate cookie bottom. Simply toss together some flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Melt a little butter and mix in some cocoa powder. Then stir the buttery chocolate into the flour. The bottom needs to bake for about 20 minutes so that it’s sturdy enough to hold the gooey topping.

    Next comes the filling. It’s similar to traditional style pecan pie filling, except I added bourbon and some melted chocolate. You could easily skip the bourbon, but I think it’s vital for flavor. Besides, all the alcohol will get baked out because these decadent bars are going back into the oven.

    As the bars bake, the filling melds together, holding all the pecans into place; leaving no corner untouched with the sticky sweet filling. Each bar is rich chocolaty goodness.

    Angled view of chocolate bourbon pecan bars on white parchment paper.

    The bars bake for another 25 minutes and will need to cool completely before cutting them. I actually let mine sit overnight. If you’re in a hurry you can cool them on the counter for a few minutes and then pop them into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. They should be sturdy enough to cut by then.

    Grab a tall glass of milk and sink your teeth into a soft, buttery, chewy, and crunchy dessert. The bourbon pairs nicely with the chocolate and the pecans add such a wonderful texture contrast.

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    Continue to Content
    A close up view of a chocolate bourbon pecan bar on a piece of white parchment paper.

    Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Bars

    Yield: 16 bars
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

    If you like pecan bars, you will go nuts for this bourbon and chocolate version! These chocolate bourbon pecan bars are soft, chewy, crunchy, and gooey. They’re unlike any other bar dessert I’ve made.

    Ingredients

    For the crust

    • 7 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

    For the filling

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
    • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup light corn syrup
    • 1 tablespoon bourbon
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
    • 2 cups pecans, chopped

    Instructions

    Make the crust

    1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
    2. Combine the melted butter and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir to combine. Pour chocolate butter mixture into the flour and toss together until evenly mixed. The dough will the thick. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

    Make the filling

    1. While the crust is baking, place butter and chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well. If chocolate isn't fully melted, heat in 10-second interval until fully melted. Stir well after each interval. Whisk in the sugar, corn syrup, bourbon, vanilla, and salt until combined. Add the egg and whisk until fully incorporated.
    2. Pour the filling over the hot crust. Sprinkle the top with pecans. Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges begin to firm up. (The center will remain wobbly, like it is under done. That is okay. It will firm up as it cools.) Cool the bars completely on a wire rack. Lift the foil out of the pan to remove the bars and transfer to a cutting board. Cut the bars into 16 pieces.

    Notes

    The bars need to be cooled completely before cutting. If you are short on time, put them in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.

    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 220mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 3g

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.

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    Mention @introvertbaker or tag #introvertbaker!

    © Jen Sobjack
    Cuisine: American / Category: Brownies & Bars
    Previous Post: « Maple Brown Butter Cornbread
    Next Post: Honey Cream Cheese Biscuits »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

      July 19, 2015 at 3:08 am

      These bars look incredible, Jen! Love how soft, chewy and gooey they are! The bourbon sounds amazing in here!

      Reply
    2. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      July 18, 2015 at 8:05 am

      These are awesome! You're sending me a dozen, right? 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:20 am

        They are on the way! 😉

        Reply
    3. Ben Maclain | Havocinthekitchen says

      July 17, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      Jen, I'm not afraid to say that this is a crime because you've got an outrageously delicious dessert! Pecans, chocolate, brown sugar...well I'm already sold. But that wasn't enough and you incorporated the bourbon. As I said, outrageous 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:19 am

        Thanks, Ben! You're way too kind!

        Reply
    4. Michelle { A Latte Food } says

      July 17, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Oh my goodness, these look to die for, Jen! I love the addition of bourbon!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:19 am

        Thank you so much, Michelle!

        Reply
    5. mira says

      July 17, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      These look so good! Love the use of bourbon! Great job Jen!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:18 am

        Thanks, Mira!

        Reply
    6. Katalina @ Peas and Ponies says

      July 17, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Chocolate and bourbon and pecans, this sounds like a thanksgiving dessert on a summer night, the flavors are perfect, I love the booze addition, would just love to grab one and enjoy now!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:18 am

        You can never go wrong with chocolate and bourbon!

        Reply
    7. Manali @ CookWithManali says

      July 17, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Oh god these look amazing Jen, like I can see how gooey they are, I want to lick my screen! 😀
      PS: love your new display picture 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:18 am

        Haha! Thanks, Manali! 😀

        Reply
    8. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

      July 17, 2015 at 11:10 am

      These bars look amazing! Love the addition of chocolate and bourbon to a classic 🙂 So yum, pinning!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:17 am

        Thank you so much, Medha!

        Reply
    9. Sarah | Broma Bakery says

      July 17, 2015 at 10:48 am

      I just went into virtual food coma. These are insane!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:17 am

        Mission accomplished!

        Reply
    10. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

      July 17, 2015 at 10:16 am

      Oh my goodness, you have really outdone yourself here, Jen! These bars look amazing! I love the chocolate added into it!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:16 am

        Thanks, Shelby!

        Reply
    11. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

      July 17, 2015 at 10:00 am

      Oh gosh! These bars look so gorgeous and delicious! Sounds like a perfect weekend treat! Have a lovely weekend! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:16 am

        Thanks, Anu! Hope your weekend was fabulous!

        Reply
    12. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

      July 17, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Jen, I LOVE these bars!!!! I still have yet to bake with bourbon!!!! I NEED to make these!!! LOVE!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 20, 2015 at 10:16 am

        You totally should!

        Reply
    13. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says

      July 17, 2015 at 8:14 am

      Wow these bars seriously look sensational!!

      Reply
    14. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      July 17, 2015 at 8:09 am

      Wow these bars sound amazing, Jen! I love the bourbon in here. Sounds like the perfect Friday treat!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 17, 2015 at 9:08 am

        Ringing in the weekend the right way! Ha. Happy Friday, friend!

        Reply
    15. Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

      July 17, 2015 at 6:52 am

      Oh my gosh, I am swooning over these bars!! So many of my favorite dessert ingredients in one bite! I bet they're dangerously good, and I'm sure that I couldn't be trusted around an entire pan! Pinned. 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen says

        July 17, 2015 at 9:07 am

        My dog wasn't trusted either. He tried to eat half while I was photographing the other half. Chocolate and foil = a very sick pup. Luckily I caught him in time! But yeah, these bars were admired by everyone in the house. 😉

        Reply
        • Dina says

          August 29, 2018 at 2:19 pm

          Oh my goodness!!! Sounds like you have my dog in your home...
          We had to make THREE wedding cakes for my daughter because was they were cooling, he would somehow figure out a way into the kitchen when we were not paying attention and get a couple bites!!! Thank goodness he didn't get sick from it but boy was that an additional CRAZY day because of that!!!

          Made some serious memories to be talked about for many years!

        • Jen Sobjack says

          August 29, 2018 at 3:08 pm

          Hahaha! He's a mess for sure and has certainly given us memories filled with his shenanigans. Life wouldn't be the same without him!

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