Ingredients
Scale
These ingredients are like old friends I’ve come to rely on, simple yet powerful in creating kitchen magic. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
If you’re like me and sometimes run out of ingredients, don’t worry. You can substitute the graham crackers with crushed digestive biscuits or even some leftover cookies. And if pecans aren’t your thing, walnuts or almonds work just as well.
Instructions
Let’s get to the fun part—making these bars! Here’s how to bring it all together:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust.
- Scatter the chopped pecans evenly over the crust.
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Mix in the maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pecan-covered crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Here’s a little tip from my kitchen to yours: When beating the cream cheese, make sure it’s fully softened to avoid lumps. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way during a few last-minute baking sessions!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Maple Pecan Cheesecake Bars, recipe, cooking, food
