These no-bake pecan bars start with a press-in cinnamon pecan crust that's topped with with a tender coconut caramel and even more pecans.
These no-bake pecan bars are one of those kinds of treats that I like to have up my sleeve around this time of year.
You can throw them together in an instant and they keep for days in the fridge. Plus, because these are entirely raw so there's no baking involved. And besides, caramel and pecans just go so well together.
How to make no-bake pecan bars:
- We start with the rust which is the press-in kind with flavors reminiscent of graham cracker crumbs thanks to coconut sugar and a hint of cinnamon. Pecans, walnuts and coconut are pulsed together in the food processor to make the crumb-like crust that creates the base of these bars.
- Next, a sheet of sweet and salty coconut caramel made with coconut nectar and coconut butter is spread over the top of the crust and sets up in the fridge. It’s firm and buttery with notes of vanilla and brown sugar and little bits of crunchy pecans throughout.
One of the great things about these pecan bars is the consistency of the topping; it’s tender yet holds its shape nicely when sliced. Once fully cooled and set in the fridge, you simply lift and slice them into whatever sized bars you like and serve. I prefer to eat mine somewhere between chilled and room temperature for a firmer consistency but they are lovely either way and just get softer and even more tender as they sit.
For the minimal time investment the payoff is superb. Ideal for when you need something quick and easy for a holiday party or really for any day of the week. Their sweet, nutty, caramel flavor is bound to win you over.
More no-bake desserts:
No-Bake Pecan Bars
No-bake pecan bars with a hint of cinnamon are topped with a tender coconut caramel.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- ¼ cup/30g raisins (briefly soaked in warm water to soften)
- ½ cup/60g raw pecans
- ½ cup/60g raw walnuts
- ½ cup/ 40g unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup/48g coconut sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
For the topping:
- ½ cup/120ml Coconut nectar
- ½ cup/120ml Coconut butter (at room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup/30g raw pecans , coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Start by soaking the raisins in warm water for about 5-10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry before proceeding.
- Place the pecans, walnuts, coconut, cinnamon, coconut sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the soaked raisins and process until the mixture starts to clump together (like shortbread dough).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Flatten the mixture firmly and evenly in the pan using your hands or the back of a spoon.
- In a small bowl, mix together the coconut nectar, coconut butter (if your coconut butter is very solid at room temperature rewarm it gently in a bowl set over a larger bowl of warm water before mixing with the coconut nectar), vanilla extract and a pinch of salt until thoroughly combined and caramel-like. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Carefully spread the caramel evenly on top of the crust using with the back of a spoon.
- Cover loosely and place in fridge to firm for at least an hour.
- Lift the bars from the pan, transfer to a cutting board and cut into bars. Serve at room temperature and store leftovers in the fridge.
Notes
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegan, Raw, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Kristen says
I love the texture of these bars... they look so good and substantial! I think I'd eat them for breakfast 🙂
Kulsum says
ohhh such a great recipe! I wish I lived near you.
Caroline says
Is there a recommended substitute for walnuts as I am allergic to them? Thanks!
Sylvie says
You can just use all pecans instead Caroline.
Catherine @ Chocolate & Vegetables says
So cool that you made the caramel without any cooking! These look like a fantastic fall treat.
Betty Rawker says
Great minds think alike! I came up with the exact same caramel recipe on my website a while back, and I love the simplicity of it! Its the perfect raw, vegan caramel. I use it all the time as a filling in chocolates, poured over ice cream, and in faux candy bars. It looks beautiful in your coconut pecan bars.
Question though, in the ingredients you list coconut butter, but in the directions you list coconut oil instead? Did you use both? I found I had to gently heat the coconut butter to get it to mix well with the coconut nectar, though I could see coconut oil mixing a in lot easier at room temp as you described, that is why I asked?
Trick or Treat!!
Sylvie says
Thanks for catching that mistake! I had tried the caramel three ways, once with all coconut oil which made a lovely sauce but was too thin, once with half coconut oil and half coconut butter which was fantastic out of the fridge but a little too gooey at room temperature and finally settled on all coconut butter which was just the right consistency. Thanks for the suggestion on re-heating, my room temperature maybe a little warmer than most people's homes are so I didn't have any trouble combining the two but I've gone back and added a note recommending that now.
Amina | PAPER/PLATES says
Yum! This combines so many of my favorite ingredients!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is positively unreal!! Loving that caramel recipe.
Meeta says
Sylvie this is the perfect quick treat. O love pecans and caramel too ... and love the fact that they are raw!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
The fact that they're raw...wow, mind-blowing! That top nougat-ey looking layer, I want that, all that! Just for me 🙂 Pinned!
Rosa says
They look fantastic and ever so irresistible! That is such a wonderful treat.
Cheers,
Rosa