Pecan squares are a good alternative to the classic pie.
“The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook,” page 188
Pecan pie was a must at Thanksgiving until I discovered these.
Garten swaps the pie dough for a shortbread crust and tops it with a chewy, crunchy pecan mixture with a hint of orange.
Go ahead and gild the lily by dipping the squares in the optional chocolate. This recipe yields a lot of bars — I usually cut it in half and make the dessert in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
This story was originally published on November 16, 2023, and most recently updated on November 12, 2026.
