Like peanut brittle? Well, meet its cousin: pecan pie bark. I'd never heard of it, but reader Penny in Ontario shared a recipe and picture of it and it sounds amazing. The recipe is in the deep tradition of Amish confections like peanut brittle and what some call "Amish crack", which is "cashew crunch." Hmmm, I could make a corny dad joke here: Pecan Bark? I didn't think a pecan could bark, only dogs bark! Um...okay, I'll stick to my day job.
All of these recipes enjoy extra cachet in Amish kitchens this time of year. So when I saw "pecan bark", man, I was intrigued by that. I'm going to have to look for pecan bark next time I am in Amish bulk food store or bakery. I've not seen it before, but after seeing this recipe, I'll be on the lookout!
🥜 The Amish and Pecans
Pecans grow best in southern climates and the Amish are not as populous in southern places. However, I have met Mennonite farmers in Georgia who grow them and sell them, and that is more favorable climate for raising them.
Many Amish cooks avoid pecans because they are expensive. That is why you see recipes like oatmeal pie that resemble a pecan pie but without the pricey pecans. But when Amish cooks do use pecans they use them in:
- pies
- rolls
- breads
- candies
I've even seen pecan butter, mmm, I wish I would have bought some of that!
📋 Step-by-Step Pecan Pie Bark
This is an easy recipe, you just need a medium saucepan, some butter and you can get started! But, wow, oh wow, this candy is quite the treat and requires minimal minutes of prep. Just a cookie sheet which you can line with parchment paper if you want.
Okay, I'll admit that I added some chocolate to my pecan pie bark so I could have chocolate pecan pie bark. You can too! Makes a great holiday gift. But it is about the easiest homemade candy. You don't need a candy thermometer. You can experiment with adding anything you want to the hot syrup, including maybe a handful of brown sugar. There are so many variations. I know someone who added a splash of bourbon. Whatever you put into the syrup will harden into the bark at the end, which is a good thing if it is a good flavor.
If you just follow the recipe as given you'll have a delicious treat that tastes as good as a gooey pecan pie but in a hardened form (if that makes sense).
This is an easy pecan pie bark recipe with plenty of crunch and the sticky sweetness of pecan pie. The base of graham crackers makes it especially decadent. Let the bark cool when it is out of the oven. Once it is cool, break it into pieces and then store in an air-tight container and enjoy this Facebook or Pinterest worthy dessert! Some people put it in the fridge because they like a colder bark, but I think room temp is best.
🍬 More Amish Holiday Candy Ideas
Amish Mashed Potato Candy
Amish Christmas Cornflake Candy
Homemade Taffy
Quick Homemade Amish Candy Recipes
Graham Cracker Butterscotch Candy
One Pan Peanut Cornflake Candy
🖨️ Full Recipe
How to Make Easy, Delicious Pecan Pie Bark
Ingredients
- 2 sticks of butter.
- 1 cup of white sugar.
- 1 ¼ cups of pecan halves.
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 2 packages 12 sheets of honey graham crackers.
Instructions
- Line a jelly roll sheet with foil and place the graham crackers tightly all across it.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Bring the butter and sugar to boil in a large saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes while stirring. Add in the pecans and vanilla and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour the hot mixture over the graham crackers evenly.
- Bake immediately for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool before breaking into pieces and storing the bark.
Rhonda Hitchcock
Hi, I’m your biggest fan! I’ve read your Amish 365 before you were 365!
Since you started!
Speaking of McDonalds, have you tried the McRibb? It’s awesome.
I’m 76 and still love McDonalds. Those fries❤️. The quarter pounder with cheese
Is great. And like you said the coke is really good there.
Keep up the good work. The recipes are great. I’ll be making the Pecan Bark for sure! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Kevin Williams
Gosh, Rhonda, you have been around the site for a long time. I appreciate it more than you know! A Merry Christmas to you too! - Kevin