Rich and gooey like pecan pie, these bars get an extra layer of flavor from browned butter and a chocolate graham cracker crust. There is a surprise addition of pumpkin butter, but it doesn't make them taste like pumpkin. Instead, it adds a subtle warmth and spice that plays beautifully with the caramel-like pecan filling and chocolate crust.
You could also use Apple Butter in place of the pecan butter, and go with a regular or cinnamon sugar graham cracker for the crust. Change it up and you have a whole new dessert that’s not quite the flavor of pecan pie, but something better.
Browned Butter Pecan Bars
Ingredients
Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers (about 1½ sleeves)
Pecan Pie Filling
- 1 package The Old Mill Pecan Pie Mix
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup The Old Mill Pumpkin Butter
- 5 tablespoons butter, browned
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift the bars from the pan after cooling.
- Make the Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
- Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and chocolate graham cracker crumbs, stirring until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes while preparing the filling.
- Make the Filling
- Allow the 5 tablespoons browned butter to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir the The Old Mill Pumpkin Butter into the browned butter. This will help cool the butter further before it is incorporated into the egg mixture.
- In a large bowl, combine The Old Mill Pecan Pie Mix and eggs, stirring just enough to begin incorporating the eggs.
- Gradually add the browned butter and pumpkin butter mixture, a little at a time, stirring between additions to temper the eggs.
- Pour the filling evenly over the warm chocolate graham cracker crust.
- Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges and the center has just a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.