Pecan Pie Bites With Gravy

Updated Sept. 5, 2022

Pecan Pie Bites With Gravy
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Total Time
1½ hours, plus at least 30 minutes’ chilling
Rating
4(127)
Comments
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It’s difficult to assess exactly how much the legalization of marijuana in Colorado may have changed the Thanksgiving menu. But it has indubitably increased the snacking that goes on afterward, said Alexander Figura, the chef of Lower48 Kitchen in Denver. That post-meal, late-night snacking has taken on a different kind of intensity now that the munchies are involved. “Stoned people gravitate to more extreme flavors,” he said. “They want something very savory or very sweet, or both at the same time.”

His recipe for sticky pecan pie bites dunked into leftover turkey gravy — an after-hours snack among chefs he knows — hits those notes perfectly. The bite-size, bourbon-spiked pecan bars work on their own, too: no gravy or cannabis required. You can bake them up to 5 days in advance. —Melissa Clark

Featured in: The United States of Thanksgiving

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Ingredients

Yield:2 dozen bars

    For the Crust

    • 12tablespoons/170 grams/1½ sticks unsalted butter
    • cup/35 grams confectioners’ sugar
    • Pinch salt
    • cups/185 grams all-purpose flour

    For the Filling

    • 1cup/235 milliliters light corn syrup
    • ½cup/100 grams light brown sugar
    • cup/80 milliliters heavy cream
    • 2tablespoons/30 grams unsalted butter
    • 2large eggs, lightly beaten
    • 1tablespoon/15 milliliters bourbon
    • 1teaspoon/5 milliliters vanilla extract

    For the Filling

    • Pinch salt
    • 2cups/200 grams pecan halves
    • Leftover turkey gravy, for dipping
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (24 servings)

226 calories; 14 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 17 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 31 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the crust: In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, confectioners’ sugar and salt. Beat in flour. Form crust into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).

  2. Step 2

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-square pan and line with parchment paper. Press dough evenly into bottom of pan. Bake until crust is golden brown all over, about 30 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Make the filling: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat corn syrup, sugar, cream and butter until the butter melts. Let cool, then stir in eggs, bourbon, vanilla and salt until smooth. Stir in pecans.

  4. Step 4

    Pour filling over crust. Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Drizzle gravy on top or serve alongside as a dip.

Ratings

4 out of 5
127 user ratings
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Comments

I just made this, and it tastes good, but in spite of parchment and butter it was tough to get out of the pan. Think I know how to deal with that next time, but if anyone has suggestions on how to best cut these without them breaking I'd appreciate it.

The pecan bites sound great. Eating them with gravy sounds ghastly.

I nominate this recipe for best write-up blurb. Had me laughing, and also left me intrigued to taste the final result. Thank you, Melissa.

Half my filling ended up under the crust. Where did I go wrong?

I made these as an early Thanksgiving Day taster snack to keep everyone going in the kitchen. They turned out to be the hit of the day! I prefer these to an actual pecan pie. No pesky pastry issues just pecan pie deliciousness. I substituted homemade ghee for the butter and plant-based cream for the real stuff for all the lactose-intolerants that were eating with us on the day.

Sift the confectioners sugar duh

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Credits

Adapted from Alexander Figura

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