Description
These dessert bars capture the familiar spiced flavor of King Cake in an easy-to-make, shareable format, perfect for any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter for base
- 2 cups flour for base
- 1/2 cup sugar for base
- 1/4 cup brown sugar for base
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for base
- 1 egg for base
- 1 tsp baking powder for base
- 1/4 tsp salt for base
- 1 tsp lemon juice for base
- 1/2 cup butter for filling
- 3/4 cup brown sugar for filling
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon for filling
- 1/4 cup flour for filling
- 1 cup chopped pecans for filling
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for filling
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar for icing
- 2 tbsp milk for icing
- pinch salt for icing
- 1–2 tsp vanilla extract for icing
- colored sugar crystals for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease an 8×8 inch pan and set it aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars for the base. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add 1 cup of flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined. Then add the remaining cup of flour.
- Finally, add the lemon juice just until it mixes in.
- Press 2/3 of the dough into the greased 8×8 pan. Set the remaining 1/3 of the dough aside.
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter for the filling. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
- Add the chopped pecans to the filling mixture and stir in the flour.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough layer in the 8×8 pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 of the dough.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges set. Set the bars aside to cool completely.
- To make the icing, combine 1 tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Slowly add 1/2 to 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Add the second tablespoon of milk and mix. Add the remaining powdered sugar and the pinch of salt. Mix until smooth.
- Spread the icing evenly across the top of the cooled bars. Decorate with colored sugars in your desired design.
Notes
- You can process the pecans in a food processor for finer pieces in the filling, or leave them chopped for more texture.
- For the icing, add the milk slowly to control the consistency; you may need slightly more or less than the listed amount to reach a spreadable texture.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 55
Keywords: King Cake Inspired Dessert Bars, Mardi Gras dessert, festive bars, spiced dessert, pecan bars, easy King Cake alternative