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Pecan Cheesecake Squares

September 19, 2013 By Amy @ Positively Splendid

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Do you ever stumble upon a dessert recipe so incredibly delicious, you find yourself wanting to bake another batch the moment the last morsel of the batch before has disappeared? Today’s recipe, my friends, is one of those. Imagine a dessert that combines the sweet crunch of a shortbread cookie with the tangy goodness of cheesecake, all topped off with a decadent pecan pie layer. Captivated yet? If so, read on for the full recipe for Pecan Cheesecake Squares.

Pecan Cheesecake Squares Recipe at Positively Splendid - A layer of shortbread, a layer of cheesecake, and a layer of pecan pie in every bite. YUM!

Pecan Cheesecake Squares

Each square of this scrumptious dessert boasts a layer of shortbread, a layer of tangy cheesecake, and a crunchy pecan pie layer in every bite!
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Cooling Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

For the shortbread layer

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

For the cheesecake layer

  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the pecan pie layer

  • 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup butter melted and cooled slightly
  • 3 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • For the shortbread layer: In a medium bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Press mixture evenly into bottom of a greased 9x13" baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven, and cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • For the cheesecake layer: Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer outfitted with a paddle attachment, and beat at medium speed until smooth. Beat in sugar. Add milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla, and beat until combined. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled shortbread layer. Bake for 15 minutes; remove from oven and cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • For the pecan pie layer: In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, corn syrup, and melted butter. Gently stir in the eggs, salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pecans. Pour pecan mixture over cooled cheesecake layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until center is set and pecan pie layer is a rich brown color.

Notes

Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keyword Pecans

When I asked my daughter what she thought these should be called, her response was, “Squares of heaven.” I have to say that is a fairly fitting name for something that tastes this good. 🙂

Pecan Cheesecake Squares Recipe at Positively Splendid - A layer of shortbread, a layer of cheesecake, and a layer of pecan pie in every bite. YUM!

Pecan Cheesecake Squares Recipe at Positively Splendid - A layer of shortbread, a layer of cheesecake, and a layer of pecan pie in every bite. YUM!

 On the lookout for even more delicious recipe inspiration? Don’t miss these other fantastic recipes that are sure to become family favorites!

Click here to see all desserts, and scroll down for some of my personal favorites!

Orange Dreamsicle Pound Cake

orange dreamsicle pound cake

Apple-Praline Bread

Cream Cheese Braids

Apple-Cream Cheese Cake with Praline Frosting

 Chocolate-Dipped Salted Caramels (Fours)

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Amy @ Positively Splendid
Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

EVEN MORE GREAT IDEAS JUST FOR YOU!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Positively Recipes Tagged With: Baking, cookies, desserts, Pecans, Positively Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. keri @ shaken together says

    September 19, 2013 at 4:50 am

    These look amazing – I can’t wait to try them! Pinned!1

  2. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    September 19, 2013 at 8:18 am

    I love every single layer – it’s a genius concoction!

  3. Crystal says

    September 19, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Delicious!! Combining both Pecan pie and Cheesecake….yum!! Thanks for the recipe!!

  4. Jacey Lovelady says

    September 25, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    But what if all you have is a standard, stand mixer with the regular beaters? Can you still make this recipe? I want to try these for Thanksgiving family dinner but I don’t have the fancy paddle and stuff for mixers.

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      September 26, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      I think regular beaters will be just fine, Jacey. Thanks for stopping in!

  5. Patricia says

    October 4, 2013 at 11:43 am

    I cannot find the instruction for the pecan cheesecake bars 🙁

    Thank you,

    Patricia Graham

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      October 4, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Patricia! I am experiencing issues with my usual printable recipes not displaying, so I went ahead and typed out the recipe in text so that my readers can still enjoy it while the glitch is being worked out. You won’t be able to print this as easily, but it will still enable you to make a batch. So sorry for the inconvenience!

  6. Kim says

    October 5, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Does the 1/2 cup sugar get mixed with the cream cheese? A I not seeing when or where to add the sugar? Please help me.

  7. Jackie says

    October 17, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    In the second paragraph, you might want to indicate that the cream cheese and white sugar should be mixed together. Also, it would read more clearly if you directed folks to add 2 tsp. of the vanilla in this step, as well. I figured out the sugar part, but missed that there were two places to add the vanilla (even though you did say “combined” in the ingredients, I still messed it up) — not that it was a big deal, a little extra vanilla never hurt anyone, LOL!

    Outside of those two little things, it’s a great recipe. Thanks for sharing!

  8. Winnie says

    November 12, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    These are just amazing!!
    Would be wonderful for any holiday
    Pinning!

  9. jodi says

    November 14, 2013 at 11:43 am

    I must concur with amy’s daughter!! oh my, these are amazing. made them for company the other night and everyone raved. they are so rich and delicious. DEFINITELY grease the pan though (even if it’s glass), as these suckers really do stick. and we stored ours in the fridge and it made the cheesecake layer just divine. wow – these really are addicting. thank you for sharing!!

  10. Cassie says

    November 25, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    I made these and loved them. The only problem I had when I brought them to a party everyone said they were too fattening. I thought great more for me. I will definitely make these again and again. Delicious

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      November 27, 2013 at 6:53 am

      Cassie, so glad you liked them. They definitely aren’t health food, but they are incredibly delicious! 🙂

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