Gluten free bourbon pecan bars
I can’t rave enough about these gluten free bourbon pecan bars. As I said before, I made three different versions of a pecan dessert this past week. This was my second version and I think they are my favorite ones!
I am making these gluten free bourbon pecan bars again this week and then for thanksgiving dinner. I am actually doubling the batch each time I make them because they lasted no time. They were gone within a day they are so good.
The addition of bourbon was just plain awesome. While you can still use vanilla extract if you like the bourbon gives it a unique flavor so try it, you will be surprised.
These gluten free bourbon pecan bars is not something that I would be eating every day but given the holiday season I am giving them a few tries.
I am planning on making a few other desserts as well, most likely holidays cookies. I have a couple of sugar cookie recipes I like a lot but I want to try to make something new and perhaps something that is also gluten free and vegan, will see!
There is not much I can say about these bars, but that you have to try them for yourself. I was skeptical at first but it turns out that these gluten free bourbon pecan bars have become one of my favorite desserts lately. So darn good!
Enjoy!
PrintGluten free bourbon pecan bars
Miryam's original recipe
Yield: 8 bars
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Ingredients:
Crust
- 2 1/2 cups almond flour
- 3 tbs bourbon, for a GF version see note below
- 2 tbs coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbs maple syrup
Filling
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unrefined sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, or butter
- 3 tbs bourbon (I used maple flavor)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
To make the crust, mix ingredients in a medium sized bowl until combined.
Line a 8x8 square baking dish with unbleached parchment paper. Press crust mixture into the baking pan and bake for 10 minutes or until the crust starts to brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.
Using a stand mixer, add the eggs and coconut sugar and whisk until you get a pale brown foam, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan. Add the coconut oil, bourbon and maple sugar. Cook over medium to low heat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture is thickened. Turn off the heat and allow filling to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Pour filling mixture over the crust and decorate with the pecans. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.
NOTE: For a GF version use one part vanilla extract plus two parts water for each tablespoon of bourbon.
Hello there. My name is Miryam and I am the clinical dietitian and Physician Assistant behind Eat Good 4 Life. My wish is to inspire you to start cooking healthier so that you can live a longer and happier life. Thanks for stopping by (
OH EM GEE!!!! These bars look phenomenal!!! They are like a healthier version of the classic pecan pie which usually runs 800 calories per slice!! Perfect for thanksgiving:)
These look so good! One question – in the ingredients you call for “unrefined sugar,” but in the instructions you call for coconut sugar. Which should I use?
Thanks!
You can use either one but coconut sugar works fabulously :-)
I am loving your pecan desert. I can’t wait to see the next one ;-)
You are a pecan pie genius! I love traditional pecan pie so much, but it’s always so sweet. This, on the other hand, sounds perfect! I love your healthier spin!
A little bourbon always makes things better! Especially pecan bars. Love how dense and rich these look.
All you had to say was bourbon. These pecan bars look scrumptious!
What other than bourbon can be used instead ?
Thanks
In the filling you can omit it and use a couple of tsp of vanilla extract. In the crust you can omit it and use 2 tbs coconut oil and 2 tbs of maple syrup instead!
Miryam, these bars look fabulous! I love bourbon in my desserts. Can’t get enough of it.
I have been dreaming about these pecan squares from when I saw them on Instagram. Absolutely delicious like everything you make.
I’m making a bourbon pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving this year but I might have to convince my sister to make these so we can have all the boozy desserts haha!
These look glorious and your pics are stunning. LOVE them!
I am totally making these for Thanksgiving! They look amazing!
Making these for two different parties, Thursday and Friday. How far in advance can these be made, and do you suggest cutting them into bars right before serving or can I bring them to the party already cut? Thank you!
You can make these about 1-2 in advance. You can cut them prior to the party so you can take them already cut. I hope they like them :-)
Hate to say it but these are not gluten free. Bourbon contains gluten ingredients. Its mash is corn plus rye, wheat and other glutenous ingredients.
I’m sure they are good but the addition of bourbon makes then not gluten free and unsafe for people on gluten free diets.
Cheers
The National Institutes of Health and several major celiac societies in the U.S. and Canada say that distilled alcohol is considered gluten-free because the process of distillation removes the harmful gluten protein. The majority of people with celiac or gluten sensitivity don’t seem to react to alcohol distilled from gluten grains, but a minority do react. I guess it depends on the person….Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, but some brewers add a second gluten mash or colouring which can contain gluten after the distilling process. Anyone who is serious about being gluten free should avoid all distilled alcohol made with gluten ingredients as gluten proteins can still exist. There is also a high risk of cross-contamination as the facility is not gluten free. I am familiar with the quote you gave but:
“… the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which regulates alcoholic beverages in the U.S., ruled in 2012 that beverages made from gluten grains cannot legally carry the claim “gluten-free,” since gluten (or fragments of the gluten protein) remaining in such drinks may not be detected easily with existing testing technology…”
As long as you know what you can and cannot eat or drink you could be fine. Though most celiac societies suggest sticking to alcohol not made with gluten ingredients.
Thanks for the reply!
Can I substitute coconut oil with butter? 1:1 substitution?
I am pretty sure!
Looks heavenly. Two questions. Can I use regular white flour instead of almond flour? How many servings did this make?
I think so but you may need less I think. 8-12 servings depending on how big you cut the bars!
Your recipe says “1/2 chopped pecans.” 1/2 what?
1/2 cup. Thanks for noticing :-)
I just made this yumminess :-) I used walnut meal instead of almond flour (I have abt 4 kg of walnuts, so gotta use them, lol :-) ). It smells sooo good, so I believe it will taste delish as well. We’ll see tomorrow morning :-) There is always something to look forward to!
That is awesome. It is one of my ultimate favorite bars. I need to make some and freeze to have on demand. Great swab using the walnut flour! Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog :-)
The topping didn’t bind well and just a bunch of oats and the other ingredients. After heating it until brown and bubbly I took it out and it still was oatmeal not mixing. I am wondering if adding vegan butter in addition to the melted coconut oil will make it adhere more. Too bad as I thought I could take it to the party tonight, but no.
Although look great, the gf blueberry crisp was not that tasty. The topping I followed to your instructions and it didn’t stick together at all and was just oats with other stuff and after cooking, still just oats and the other ingredients. I am not sure but it seems like something else needs to be added initially to make the oats and rice flour , etc be more like a batter or something. I made it once more and this time added a little less coconut oil and added 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted and 2 tab. of brown sugar. Turned out great and I had raves from the group who wanted the recipe. I changed the things I mentioned and used slivered almonds instead. I gave them your original recipe and my changes.
Thank you.