Pecan Cheesecake Squares

Pecan Cheesecake Squares are the perfect sweet and salty treat! With a shortbread bottom, sweet cheesecake center and salty and sweet pecan pie topping it’s a treat that you will crave!

These Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars will be a hit at any gathering! They are perfect for Mothers Day, Easter, Christmas and of course Thanksgiving!

Pecan cheesecake squares oiled on a board with pecans surrounding them.

How Long Does this Recipe Take to Make?

The recipe seems like it will take forever and may seem complicated and overwhelming, but it is really simple, it just takes a bit of time to bake each layer! Trust me once you eat these Pecan Pie Cheesecake Squares you will be hooked!

A hand holding a cheesecake pecan square showing the layers of cheesecake and pecan oie.

You will make and bake each layer, starting with the shortbread layer. Then the sweet creamy cheesecake and finally the pecan pie topping!

Plan on this taking about an hour and a half! It is worth every minute tho!

Grease a 9×13 baking pan, and heat your oven to 350 degrees.

First, you need to crush your pecans. They need to be finely chopped. I throw my pecans in a zip top bag and use my meat mallet to crush them).

Pecans in a zip top bag with a meat mallet next to it that is used to crush the pecans finely.
Crushed pecans in a zip top bag.

In a medium bowl, add your flour, softened butter, and brown sugar.

Flour, brown sugar and softened butter in a bowl.

Mix it all together until it is a crumbly mixture.

Dry ingredients mixed with butter to make a pecan shortbread bottom.

Then add the crushed pecans and mix them in.

Crushed pecans added to dry ingredients to make pecan shortbread bottom.

Then press it into your 9×13 baking pan. Bake it for 10 minutes then let it cool while you make the cheesecake layer.

Shoretnbread cookie bottom pressed into a 9x13 pan to bake to make Pecan cheesecake squares.

The Cheesecake Center

The cheesecake layer is simple.

All you need is cream cheese (softened), brown sugar, milk and vanilla extract.

Cream cheese, milk, sugar and vanilla extract to make cheesecake.

Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix/beat it until it is smooth. You can also use a hand mixer.

Cheesecake mixed in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

Next, spread the cheesecake mixture on your shortbread crust. Put it back into the oven for 15 minutes. Let it cook and then cool while you make your Pecan Pie layer.

Baked pecans shortbread in a 9x13 pan topped with a cheesecake filling ready to be spread on top.
Cheesecake filling spread on top of a shortbread cookie bottom to make Pecan Cheesecake Bars

Pecan Pie Topping

Pecan Pie can be intimidating but it is so easy!

First, take your brown sugar, light corn syrup, and melted (but cooled) butter and mix it together.

Start of Pecan Pie topping made with brown sugar, butter and corn syrup.

Then slowly add in your beaten eggs. Mix until combined.

Then add your salt, vanilla extract, and pecans. I just use more of the crushed pecans, but you can use whole pieces. Stir it all together.

Pecans added to pecan pie mixture
Pecan pie filling for Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars.

Spread this pecan mixture over the cheesecake layer.

Pecan Pie filling being spread over cheesecake filling and shortbread bottom.

Finally, put it back in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until it is set in the middle and the pecan pie layer turns a rich golden brown.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars with pecan a pie filling on top of cheesecakes and shortbread that needs to be baked in the oven to be set.

Take it out of the oven and let it cool. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars that are out of the oven and ready to serve and eat,

You will love this dessert and it will become a new family favorite! It is sweet with a bit of salty notes and is super yummy.

Store in the refrigerator and take it out to let it soften before serving.

A hand holding a square of Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars.
A stack of Pecan Pie Cheesecake Squares showing the layers.

If you liked this recipe please take the time to leave a comment and a star rating below! Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!


For some more sweet treats try my Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, No Bake Oreo Cheesecake, or my Lemon Crumble Cheesecake Bars.


Here are some products I used to make this recipe!

“As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.”


Pecan cheesecake squares oiled on a board with pecans surrounding them.

Perfect Pecan Cheesecake Squares

These Perfect Pecan Cheesecake Squares are the perfect treat for any occasion. They have a soft shortbread crust, a smooth and creamy cheesecake, topped with a layer of pecan pie.
This will make a 9×13 pan
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Bake Time (3 different bakes)-estimate: 1 hour
Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Layer

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened, room temperature
  • ½ cup finely chopped/crushed pecans see notes

For the Cheesecake Layer

  • 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Pecan Pie Layer

  • ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • cup butter, melted than cooled a bit
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans, whole or chopped/crushed see notes

Instructions

For the Shortbread Layer

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉. Prepare/grease a 9×13 baking pan/dish.
  • In a medium bowl, add the flour, brown sugar and softened butter. Mix until crumbly and well combined. Add the chopped/crushed pecans, mix well. Press into your greased 9×13 pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool while you make the cheesecake layer.

For the Cheesecake Layer

  • In a mixer, mix your cream cheese until smooth. Then add your sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Pour over the shortbread layer and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool while you make the pecan pie layer.

For the Pecan Pie Layer

  • In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, corn syrup and melted/cooled butter. mix well. Slowly add in your beaten eggs and mix well. Add your salt and vanilla, mix well. Add your pecans (whole or chopped depending on your preference.) Mix well. Pour over the cheesecake layer and bake again for 35-40 minutes or until the center of the pecan pie layer is set and the pecan layer is a rich brown color. Remove from oven and let cool.
  • Cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes

Store these Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars in the refrigerator. Take them out of the fridge to soften before serving.
I put my pecans in a zip top bag and crush them with a meat mallet.  I use the crushed pecans for the shortbread layer and the pecan pie layer.  You have to use finely cut or crushed pecans for the shortbread layer, but you can choose to use whole pecans for the pecan pie layer or crushed. 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 630kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 994IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.