If you love pecan pie but do not always feel like making a crust, these Pecan Pie Blondies are the perfect shortcut. They have a soft, buttery blondie base topped with a thick layer of glossy, candied pecans that taste just like the pie filling everyone goes back for. They slice beautifully, pack well, and always disappear from dessert tables. Whether it is a holiday spread, a church potluck, or a weeknight treat, these blondies bring that cozy, nostalgic pecan pie flavor with a lot less work.

Pecan blondie bars give you everything you love about a slice of pecan pie in one rich, gooey bite. The brown sugar blondie base tastes like a warm caramel cookie, and the glossy pecan topping delivers that same sweet, crunchy, sticky-without-being-messy texture you get from classic pecan pie.

The best part is that you get all of that familiar flavor without the work of rolling a crust, blind baking, or worrying if your filling will set. These bars bake in layers right in the same pan, which means you still get that nostalgic pecan pie taste, only in a much simpler, more reliable, and very snackable form. Giving you that taste of Thanksgiving that everyone loves, anytime of the year!

Pecan Blondies

This easy recipe gives you the best parts of pecan pie in a bar format, and it is as easy as stirring together a simple blondie batter. The texture is everything you want. Soft, fudgy blondies on the bottom and perfectly crunchy pecans on top. The topping sets up into that classic candied shell, so every bite is sweet, buttery, and just a little sticky in the best way. They also stay fresh for days, so you can make them ahead without stress. And honestly, they are the kind of dessert that makes people ask for the recipe before they even finish their piece.

If you love a good pie bar, be sure to check out my Pumpkin Pie Bars with a Shortbread Crust, Key Lime Pie Bars, and my Apple Pie Crumb Bars before you go!

What is a Blondie?

A blondie is the buttery cousin of a brownie, made without cocoa powder so the flavors of brown sugar, butter, and vanilla can really shine. Instead of being chocolate-forward like a brownie, a blondie leans into warm caramel notes and a soft, chewy texture from plenty of brown sugar and a rich mix of eggs and yolks. They are dense and fudgy rather than cakey, making them the perfect base for all kinds of mix-ins and toppings. If you are someone who loves the edges of a cookie or the gooey center of a bar dessert, a blondie gives you both in every bite.

Ingredients in this Pecan Blondie Recipe

You will find the complete ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For the Blondies:

• Salted butter gives the blondies a rich, buttery flavor and keeps the texture soft. If you only have unsalted butter, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• White granulated sugar helps the blondies stay chewy instead of dense. It also balances the deep molasses flavor of the brown sugar.
• Light brown sugar adds moisture and gives that caramel flavor blondies are known for. Dark brown sugar can be used if you want even more depth.
• Eggs and egg yolks – the combination of whole eggs and extra yolks keeps the blondies fudgy. Four whole eggs would make the batter too wet and cakey.
• All-purpose flour – the structure of the blondies. There is no substitution recommended here. Cake flour will make them too soft.
• Baking powder and baking soda – a small amount helps lift the blondies just enough so they are not heavy.

For the Pecan Pie Filling Layer:

• Pecan halves – look beautiful on top and give a perfect crunch. Chopped pecans also work if you prefer smaller bites or want the topping to spread more evenly.
• Corn syrup helps the topping set into that shiny, candied pecan layer. Honey or maple syrup will soften the topping and change the flavor, but they can be used if you are okay with a less firm finish.
• Light brown sugar and granulated sugar both sweeten the topping and help it caramelize. Using both gives the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

How to Make Pecan Pie Blondies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and smooth. Add the eggs and egg yolks and mix until fully combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and mix just until the batter comes together. Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes.

While the blondies bake, stir together the pecans, corn syrup, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the nuts are evenly coated.

After 40 minutes, remove the blondies from the oven and spoon the pecan pie layer evenly over the top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes more.

Let the blondies cool for at least 1 hour so they can set and slice cleanly.

Store the blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The brown sugar helps keep them soft and chewy. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. A quick 10-second warm-up in the microwave makes them extra gooey.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this Pecan Pie Blondies recipe, be sure to keep it handy. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Tips for Success

• Line your pan with parchment for the easiest removal.
• Let the blondies cool completely before slicing so they hold together.
• Halved pecans give the prettiest presentation, but chopped pecans work just as well.

More Pecan Recipes to Love

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love pecan pie, and I am just going to toot my own horn here and tell you that I have the BEST recipe for Traditional Pecan Pie. You can’t go wrong here, and I hope that you try it!  Another classic recipe that you can’t beat is my Homemade German Chocolate Cake. This recipe is top-notch! When it comes to other bar recipes that use pecans, make sure to peek at these Pecan Brownies and these double chocolate cranberry magic bars, too. A few other reader favorites include my Banana Pecan Rolls, Caramel Pecan Clusters, and my Butter Pecan Cookies.

These Pecan Pie Blondies are the kind of dessert that feels both cozy and impressive. They come together with simple ingredients, but the end result tastes like something you would save for a special occasion. Whether you are baking for the holidays or just craving something sweet and nostalgic, these blondies fit right in. I hope they become one of those recipes you find yourself making again and again.