Brown Butter Pear Bars
Brown Butter Pear Bars combine nutty, golden brown butter with tender, juicy pears in a soft sugar cookie base. Easy to make, cozy, and perfect for sharing.
Yield: 12 bars
Calories: 210kcal
Cost: $5
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- spatula
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
Materials
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, browned
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 2 medium ripe pears peeled and sliced (Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar optional, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir often until it turns golden with small brown flecks and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Arrange sliced pears over the batter. Spread the remaining batter gently on top, leaving a few pears showing.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing into bars. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou pears work best. Choose pears that are ripe but still firm.
For variety, substitute half the pears with apples or sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
These bars taste delicious both warm and chilled.
For variety, substitute half the pears with apples or sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
These bars taste delicious both warm and chilled.