Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups blanched almond flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 20 Medjool dates (pitted (soft))
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons water* (up to 1/4 cup)
• 1 cup chopped raw pecans (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line the bottom of an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. 2

   Make the crust. Place all of the crust ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Use a spatula (or your hands) and mix until combined. Form the dough into a ball and place into the prepared baking pan.

3. 3

   Spread the dough into an even layer in the bottom of the pan using a spatula or your hands.

4. 4

   Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust has slightly browned.

5. 5

   While the crust is baking, make the filling. Place the pitted dates and vanilla into a high powdered food processor. Blend until smooth. Add in one tablespoon of water at a time until the date mixture turns into a paste and is easily spreadable. Add 1/4 cup of pecans and pulse the mixture a few times to break up the pecans. Set aside.

6. 6

   Once the crust is done baking, transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Let cool for 10 minutes - do not skip this step. Keep the oven on while the crust cools.

7. 7

   Transfer the date filling to the cooled crust. Use a spatula to carefully spread the filling into an even layer over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans over the filling.

8. 8

   Bake the assembled bars for an additional 15 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt. Let cool completely before cutting into small bars.