Pineapple bars are a delightful treat that perfectly balances a buttery shortbread crust with a smooth, tangy pineapple filling. If you’re a fan of Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, and are looking for a dessert that embodies her approachable, family-friendly cooking style, then these pineapple bars are sure to become a new favorite. Easy to make and bursting with tropical flavor, they are ideal for potlucks, snacks, or any occasion that calls for a touch of sunshine.
Like many great recipes, these Pioneer Woman inspired pineapple bars came about from a little kitchen creativity. Imagine planning to make lemon bars, only to discover some leftover pineapple needing to be used. The result? A wonderfully unexpected and delicious twist – pineapple bars! The combination of the sweet and tart pineapple filling with the rich, buttery crust is simply irresistible.
Why You’ll Love These Pioneer Woman Style Pineapple Bars
- Tropical Delight: The vibrant pineapple flavor brings a taste of the tropics to your kitchen, perfect for brightening up any day.
- Easy to Make: With simple steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Perfectly Portable: Bars are ideal for potlucks, picnics, and gatherings – easy to transport and serve.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of buttery crust and sweet pineapple filling is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making them perfect for busy schedules.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Pineapple Bars
Before you start baking these delightful pineapple bars, gather your ingredients. You’ll need simple pantry staples for both the shortbread crust and the luscious pineapple filling.
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Butter, softened (salted butter recommended)
- ⅓ cup Powdered Sugar
For the Pineapple Filling:
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1 cup Diced Pineapple (fresh or canned, see notes below)
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Powdered Sugar, for dusting (optional)
How to Make Pioneer Woman Pineapple Bars: Step-by-Step
Let’s walk through the easy steps to create these Pioneer Woman inspired pineapple bars. Get ready to enjoy the aroma of buttery shortbread and sweet pineapple filling wafting through your kitchen!
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Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. This makes clean-up a breeze!
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Make the Shortbread Crust: In a food processor (or mixing bowl), combine the flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar for the crust. Pulse or mix until a dough forms. If using a food processor, this is quick and easy.
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Press the Crust: Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and about ½ inch up the sides, creating a slight edge.
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Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. While the crust is baking, prepare the pineapple filling.
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Prepare the Pineapple Filling: In the same food processor (no need to wash it!), add all the filling ingredients: sugar, diced pineapple, flour, eggs, lemon juice, baking powder, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
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Pour and Bake: Pour the smooth pineapple filling over the hot, baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and the center is no longer jiggly.
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Cool and Dust: Let the pineapple bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar before cutting into squares. For neat squares, chilling the bars in the refrigerator until fully set is highly recommended.
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Cut and Serve: For the cleanest cuts, use a metal spatula to lift the entire pan of bars onto a cutting board. Dust again with powdered sugar if desired, and use a sharp knife to cut into squares.
Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Pineapple Bars
- Fresh vs. Canned Pineapple: Fresh pineapple is fantastic and adds a bright flavor. However, canned pineapple (tidbits, rings, or chunks) works wonderfully too. Just be sure to drain it well before measuring. For crushed pineapple, drain some of the juice but don’t squeeze it dry; use ⅔ cup instead of a full cup.
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the bars completely before cutting makes them much easier to slice into clean, even squares. Patience pays off!
- Powdered Sugar Finish: A dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and elegance to these bars. Don’t skip this step!
- Make it Ahead: These bars are perfect for making ahead. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for longer storage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pineapple Bars
- Can I use frozen pineapple? Yes, you can! Thaw frozen cubed pineapple completely and drain any excess juice before using in the recipe.
- Do pineapple bars need to be refrigerated? Yes, because of the eggs and dairy, pineapple bars should be stored in the refrigerator. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the bars to an airtight container.
- Can I freeze pineapple bars? Absolutely! For best results, freeze cut squares in an airtight container or freezer bags without the powdered sugar topping. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
- Can I make these without a food processor? Yes, you can. Use crushed pineapple and whisk the filling ingredients together in a bowl until combined. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
- What size pan for a double batch? To double the recipe, use a 9×13 inch baking pan and increase the baking time by 2-5 minutes.
More Delicious Bar Recipes to Try
If you love these Pioneer Woman Pineapple Bars, you might also enjoy these other delightful bar recipes:
- Lemon Bars: A classic tart and sweet treat.
- Blondies: Chewy and buttery, like a vanilla brownie.
- Magic Cookie Bars: Layers of graham crackers, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.
- Pecan Pie Bars: All the flavor of pecan pie in an easy-to-eat bar form.
Pioneer Woman Pineapple Bars Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cool Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours
Yields: 16 servings
Ingredients:
Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- ⅓ cup Powdered Sugar
Pineapple Filling:
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1 cup Diced Pineapple
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Powdered sugar for topping
Equipment:
- 8×8 inch square baking pan
- Food processor or mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the Crust: In a food processor, combine crust ingredients until a dough forms. Press into the bottom and sides of the baking dish.
- Bake crust for 18-20 minutes, until edges are golden.
- Make Filling: In the same food processor (no need to clean), blend filling ingredients until smooth.
- Pour filling over hot crust. Bake 20-25 minutes more, until set.
- Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, chill, and cut into squares.
Notes:
- For canned pineapple, drain well. For crushed pineapple, use ⅔ cup drained.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days, freeze for longer storage.
- Double the recipe for a 9×13 inch pan, bake a few minutes longer.
Enjoy these Pioneer Woman inspired pineapple bars – a slice of sunshine in every bite!
