If you love pecan pie but don’t want to fuss with a traditional pie crust or complicated assembly, you are going to be absolutely smitten with this Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe. It takes all the rich, buttery, nutty, and caramel-like flavors of classic pecan pie and transforms them into simple, sliceable bars that are perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying any time of year. The combination of a tender, buttery crust and a gooey, nut-filled topping creates an irresistible treat that feels both comforting and a little bit indulgent. Trust me, once you try these bars, you’ll wonder why you ever made pecan pie any other way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but play crucial roles in delivering the perfect texture and flavor in your bars. From the mellow richness of melted butter that binds the crust, to the luscious sweetness from brown sugar and corn syrup, every component works together to create that classic pecan pie experience in bar form.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (melted): Provides a rich, tender base for the crust and adds buttery depth.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structural backbone of the crust, giving it the right crumbly texture.
- ½ cup powdered sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust and ensures it’s tender, not tough.
- 1½ cups light corn syrup: The secret to that gooey, chewy filling we all adore in pecan pie.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Brings caramel-like richness and deep sweetness to the filling.
- 4 large eggs: Helps set the filling and gives it a luscious custard-like consistency.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor’s warmth and sweetness subtly but indispensably.
- 2½ cups chopped pecans: Offers crunch, nuttiness, and is the star ingredient that makes this pie shine.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies all the other flavors.
How to Make Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or a light grease. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, flour, and powdered sugar until you get a soft dough. This simple dough presses easily into your pan, creating a perfectly tender crust that will hold all the luscious filling without crumbling apart.
Step 2: Bake the Crust
Press the dough evenly across the bottom of your pan, making sure the layer is smooth. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden. This pre-baking step ensures your crust stays crisp and buttery once the filling is added on top.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
While your crust is baking, whisk together the light corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk it until everything is smooth and well combined. This mixture is going to turn into that incredible gooey filling we all crave.
Step 4: Add the Pecans
Stir in the chopped pecans, folding them gently to distribute evenly. The pecans add the signature crunch and nutty richness, making every bite a perfect balance of chewy and crisp.
Step 5: Bake the Bars
As soon as the crust comes out of the oven, pour your filling over it while the crust is still hot. This helps the layers stick together beautifully. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 30 to 35 minutes or until the filling is set and golden brown on top. This second bake creates that irresistible caramelized top layer you dream of in any pecan pie.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Once the bars are baked, allow them to cool completely in the pan. This cooling time is essential—it helps the filling firm up so when you slice the bars, they hold their shape perfectly without being runny or falling apart.
How to Serve Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce can elevate these bars instantly, making them look and taste even more decadent. For an extra touch of festivity, sprinkle a few whole pecans on top just before serving.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to complement their rich sweetness. If you want to keep things simple, a hot cup of coffee or tea alongside the bars is always a winning choice.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these pecan pie bars on a rustic wooden board with a scattering of pecans and a small bowl of whipped cream for dipping. They also make wonderful treats when cut into bite-sized squares for parties or potlucks, allowing guests to enjoy them as finger food without any fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe actually gets better with time! Store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Bringing them to room temperature before serving restores their chewy, gooey texture beautifully.
Freezing
If you want to save these sweet bars for later, you can freeze them. Slice into bars first, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
To reheat, pop a bar in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or warm in a low oven (300°F) for 5–7 minutes. This helps bring back that fresh-baked warmth and makes the pecans crunchy and the filling soft and gooey again.
FAQs
Can I use toasted pecans for this recipe?
Absolutely! Toasting the pecans before adding them intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a lovely crunch. Just let them cool before mixing into the filling.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend, but make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper binding. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I make the crust without powdered sugar?
While powdered sugar helps keep the crust tender, you can substitute it with granulated sugar, but expect a slightly less delicate crust texture. The flavor will still be wonderful.
What if I don’t have corn syrup?
Light corn syrup adds that unique gooey texture, but you can use golden syrup or honey as an alternative, keeping in mind these might slightly alter the flavor and consistency.
How long do these bars keep at room temperature?
Because of the egg and butter content, these bars are best stored refrigerated, but if covered well, they can sit at room temperature for up to 12 hours safely.
Final Thoughts
The Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe is a total game-changer when you want that classic pecan pie flavor without any hassle. It’s simple, quick, and satisfies every craving for sweetness and crunch with minimal effort. Whether you are baking for the holidays, a casual get-together, or just because, these bars are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Give them a try—you’re going to adore every bite!
Print
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars offer a quick and delicious twist on traditional pecan pie. With a buttery crust topped by a gooey, sweet pecan filling, they are perfect for holidays or any time you crave a rich dessert bar. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, these bars bake up golden and set to a delightful texture.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Filling
- 1½ cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups chopped pecans
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust base.
- Bake the Crust: Place the crust in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden. This ensures a firm, flavorful base for the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together the light corn syrup, packed brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Add Pecans: Stir the chopped pecans into the filling mixture evenly, distributing them throughout.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the pecan filling over the hot crust immediately after removing it from the oven. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 24 bars. Cooling fully helps the filling to firm up for easy serving.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, toast the chopped pecans before adding them to the filling.
- These bars can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
