Pecan Shortbread Squares
Pecan Shortbread Squares are a tasty twist on a classic recipe we all know and love. While most shortbread uses almonds, we’ve opted for pecans instead to create a deeper, earthier flavor that’s perfect with the buttery sweetness of the other ingredients.
If you love shortbread, then you’re in for a treat today. Our pecan shortbread squares are buttery and rich with a classic shortbread texture. The only difference is that we’ve used pecans for a deep, nutty flavor and added honey for a brighter note.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a budget-friendly recipe that uses affordable ingredients.
- It’s quick and easy, and even beginners can make it easily.
- The deep flavor of the pecans pairs perfectly with the honey in the buttery shortbread.
🛒Ingredients
This recipe only takes a handful of ingredients, and most of them are probably in your kitchen right now. Heck, you might just have all of them on hand!
They’re all listed here, but you can find their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Salt
- Flour
- Powdered sugar
- Butter – chilled
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Pecans
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla
🔪 How to Make Pecan Shortbread Squares
Making this recipe is quick and easy, and you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time. That’s the best combo, isn’t it?
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan.
Step 2: Make the Shortbread Dough
Pulse the flour, salt, powdered sugar, and butter in a food processor until it forms clumps.
Step 3: Bake
Press the dough firmly into the greased baking pan in an even layer. Then, bake for 20 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Cook the sugar, honey, pecans, and cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Step 5: Pour and Bake
Pour the sauce over the shortbread crust and bake for another 20 minutes. Cool, cut into squares, and enjoy!
📝Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!
- Use your favorite nuts to make all kinds of nutty shortbread variations.
- Use 1:1 gluten-free flour for a gluten free shortbread recipe.
- Try maple syrup or light molasses in place of honey.
Try these maple pecan blondies if you love pecans in your sweet treats.
🥄 Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13 baking pan
- Food processor
- Small saucepan
🥫 Storage
Store these squares in an air-tight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 2 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter and enjoy.
Serve With
Serve these pecan shortbread squares with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea for a sweet breakfast or afternoon snack. They make a great brunch item and an addition to a larger dessert spread at parties.
💭 Tips
- The dough will be clumpy and crumbly. DO NOT add more liquid.
- A food processor is the quickest, easiest way to make the dough.
- Press the dough firmly into the baking pan to create a cohesive base that will hold its shape when it’s sliced.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Shortbread is a traditional Scottish cookie made with one part sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts flour. It’s a crumbly, light, buttery cookie.
Milk and coffee are generally eaten with shortbread cookies. Fresh fruit can be paired with them, a well.
If you don’t press the dough firmly into the bottom of the pan, it won’t meld well as it bakes, creating a base that’s too crumbly. It will fall apart when you try cutting it into squares.
🍽 More Recipes
Do you enjoy shortbread? Then these delicious recipes:
- Chocolate Chip Espresso Shortbread Bars
- Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
- Christmas Shortbread Cookies
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Pecan Shortbread Squares
Equipment
- Food processor
- 9×13 baking dish
- small saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cup flour
- ½ cuo powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter chilled
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup honey
- 2 cups pecans
- 6 tablepoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a food processor, pulse together the flour, salt, powdered sugar and butter until it forms clumps.
- Grease a 9 x 13 pan and press the dough firmly into an even layer covering the bottom of the pan. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat the sugar, honey, pecans and cream until the sugar has dissolved. (About 2 minutes.) Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour over the crust and place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool before cutting into squares and serving!
