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Gooey Sugar Pie Bars

Featured in Desserts.

These bars are a hit! Takes ~3 hours with chill time. The bottom's buttery and crisp, while the top stays gooey. Perfect for bake sales—they disappear fast! Chill before slicing for sharp, neat results. Always get asked how to make them.
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Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:09:06 GMT
Three dessert bars with a golden crust, caramel filling, and powdered sugar, served on a white plate. Pin it
Three dessert bars with a golden crust, caramel filling, and powdered sugar, served on a white plate. | tasteofmoms.com

These Southern brown sugar pie squares remind me of Sunday afternoons in my mama's kitchen. That sticky, sweet brown sugar layer on top of the crisp, buttery base is downright heavenly. They're much simpler to throw together than a regular pie but still pack all those delicious caramel notes we treasure down South.

What Makes This So Good

You've probably got all the ingredients sitting in your kitchen cabinets right now. These treats travel like a dream, making them perfect for family reunions or community dinners. I really like that you can jazz them up with a handful of nuts or a drizzle of caramel when you're feeling fancy.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the bottom layer grab some flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, cold butter cut into chunks, and a splash of vanilla. The filling's where the magic happens – you'll need brown sugar, heavy cream, a couple eggs, some melted butter, cornstarch, more vanilla, and just a touch of salt. These basic items come together to create something truly mouthwatering.

Steps To Follow

Warm your oven to 350°F and put parchment in your baking dish. Blend the base ingredients until you notice small butter bits throughout, then push it into the pan and bake it briefly. Meanwhile, stir all your filling components until smooth. Pour this yummy mixture over the slightly warm base and bake until it's mostly set but still wiggles slightly in the middle. Cool it down before popping in the fridge for several hours, then slice into squares.

Tips From My Kitchen

Go with your gut when making these treats. That slight wobble in the middle is exactly right – it'll firm up nicely as it cools down. Watch those edges since the sugar can darken too fast. If you're piling them up, slip some parchment between the layers so they don't stick to each other.

Storage Advice

These tasty brown sugar squares will stay yummy in the fridge for around 4 days in an airtight container. You can even stash them in the freezer for up to 3 months. I prefer to cut them into pieces first, then freeze in small batches – just right for when you're craving something sweet.

Serving Ideas

Add a spoonful of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to these Southern brown sugar squares. They taste amazing alongside a steaming mug of coffee or as part of your holiday sweet table. Those deep caramel flavors make them impossible to resist however you choose to enjoy them.

Several golden-brown caramel squares stacked on a white plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Pin it
Several golden-brown caramel squares stacked on a white plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why won't my filling firm up?
Let the bars cool completely before refrigerating them for 2-3 hours. This step helps them set properly.
→ Can I prep these in advance?
Yep, store them in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for 3 months. Great to make ahead for events!
→ Why leave a wobble in the center?
Pull them out with a jiggle in the center so they don't overbake. They'll firm up as they cool in the pan.
→ Tips for clean slices?
Wait until they're fully chilled. Use a sharp knife, wiping it between cuts. The parchment helps for clean removal.
→ How do I know my crust's ready?
Press crumbs into the pan; they should stick together. Butter bits should be as small as peas in your dough mix.

Gooey Sugar Pie Bars

Gooey brown sugar filling on a golden shortbread base. Perfectly soft, lightly crisped edges, and wonderfully rich bites for sharing.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 squares)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
02 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
03 1/4 teaspoon salt.
04 1/4 cup whipping cream.
05 1/2 teaspoon salt.
06 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed tightly.
07 2 large eggs, at room temperature.
08 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
09 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and in cubes.
10 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
11 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
12 2 tablespoons cornstarch.

Instructions

Step 01

Set oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving some extra hanging over the sides for easy lifting later.

Step 02

Stir together the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the cold butter and mix until you’ve got tiny chunks. Add vanilla last, mix until just combined, and press into the prepared pan.

Step 03

Pop the crust into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes.

Step 04

Combine the brown sugar, cream, eggs, melted butter, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and lump-free.

Step 05

Carefully pour the filling over the still-warm crust and bake for 25 minutes. The edges will crisp up, but the center should wiggle a bit.

Step 06

Let it cool completely on the counter first. Then stick it in the fridge for 2-3 hours until firm. Use those parchment handles to lift it out and cut it into 16 pieces.

Notes

  1. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. Store in the freezer for as long as 3 months.
  3. Middle should still wobble a bit when you take it out of the oven.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8-inch square pan.
  • Fork or pastry blender.
  • Various mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Milk products.
  • Contains gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 212
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 2 g