The Easiest Lazy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe for Sweet Tooth Cravings

Lazy pecan pie bars offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert that simplifies indulgence.

Sweet, nutty flavors mingle with a rich, buttery foundation that melts in your mouth.

These irresistible treats capture the essence of traditional pie without complex preparation.

Minimal ingredients combine effortlessly to create a decadent experience that feels like a culinary shortcut.

Crumbly textures and caramelized notes dance across your palate with each heavenly bite.

Imagine enjoying all the comfort of a beloved dessert without hours of meticulous baking.

Whip up these bars when you crave something spectacular yet remarkably easy to assemble.

Take a delicious journey that proves simplicity can be the ultimate sophistication.

Lazy Pecan Pie Bars That Bring the Southern Charm

• These lazy pecan pie bars simplify the classic pie-making process, offering a quick and easy dessert that anyone can master without advanced baking skills.
• The recipe delivers a perfect combination of a crisp, buttery shortbread-like crust and a gooey, rich pecan filling that creates an irresistible contrast in every bite.
• These bars bring the beloved flavors of traditional pecan pie into a more manageable, shareable format that's ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or casual family desserts, making them a versatile sweet treat for any occasion.

What Goes into Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for the crumbly and buttery crust.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the crust together.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Cold Butter: Creates a flaky texture and rich flavor in the crust.

• Corn Syrup: Gives a smooth, glossy consistency and classic pecan pie sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps create a caramel-like filling.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a rich, custard-like texture.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.
• Melted Butter: Contributes richness and helps blend the filling ingredients.
• Pecans: The star ingredient, offering a nutty crunch and traditional pecan pie flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Optional topping for a decorative and sweet finish.

How to Make Lazy Pecan Pie Bars in a Flash

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Pan

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Crust Base

• All-purpose flour
• Light brown sugar
• Salt
• Cold butter (cubed)

Blend the ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until they transform into coarse crumbs. Gently press the mixture into an even layer in the prepared pan. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 15 minutes until it turns a lovely golden color.

Step 3: Whip Up Luscious Pecan Filling

• Corn syrup
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter

Whisk everything together until smooth. Fold in chopped pecans, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Layer Filling Over Crust

Once the crust emerges from the oven, carefully pour the pecan filling over the hot surface. Use a spatula to spread the filling evenly if needed.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for a slightly puffed filling that’s set but still has a gentle wiggle in the center. Avoid an overly liquid consistency.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, resting on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire batch out. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into delectable squares.

Step 7: Final Flourish

For an extra touch of sweetness, dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy these decadent pecan pie bars that blend the perfect balance of crispy crust and gooey, nutty filling!

Tips for the Best Gooey Pecan Bars

• Chill the Butter: Keep butter cold and cube it just before mixing to create a flakier, more tender crust that holds together perfectly.
• Spread Pecans Evenly: Gently stir pecans to ensure they're distributed throughout the filling, giving each bite a consistent nutty crunch.
• Check Filling Doneness: Watch for a slight jiggle in the center when baking – this signals the filling is set but not overcooked, preventing a dry or rubbery texture.
• Use Parchment Paper Hack: Leave parchment paper overhanging to easily lift bars out of the pan, making cutting and serving a breeze without sticking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider toasting pecans before adding to the filling to intensify their natural nuttiness and add a rich, warm undertone to the bars.

How to Store Pecan Pie Bars Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Store cooled pecan pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their freshly-baked warmth and soft texture.

What Tastes Great with Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

• Brew Bourbon Harmony: Pair these decadent pecan bars with a smooth Kentucky bourbon that complements the rich, nutty flavors, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the caramel undertones.
• Craft Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a robust dark roast coffee or espresso, which balances the pie bars' intense sweetness and provides a bold, roasted contrast to the buttery pecan filling.
• Creamy Vanilla Sidekick: Top with a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth texture to melt against the warm, gooey pecan bars, creating a delightful temperature and flavor interplay.
• Dessert Wine Dream: Choose a sweet late-harvest Riesling or Moscato, whose honeyed notes and slight acidity beautifully match the caramelized pecan and sugar elements in the bars.

Ways to Elevate Your Lazy Pecan Bars

• Chocolate Chip Crunch: Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips over the pecan filling before baking for a rich, decadent flavor. The chocolate melts perfectly into the caramel-like filling, creating a delightful extra layer of sweetness.
• Maple Walnut Swap: Replace pecans with chopped walnuts and substitute corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a classic New England-inspired version. The maple adds a deep, earthy warmth to the traditional bar recipe.
• Bourbon Caramel Boost: Mix 2 tablespoons of bourbon into the filling mixture for an adult-friendly upgrade. The alcohol intensifies the nutty flavors and adds a sophisticated complexity to the dessert.
• Coconut Crumble Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the bars after baking for a tropical, crunchy texture. This variation brings a light, tropical note to the rich, sweet base.

Lazy Pecan Pie Bars FAQ Breakdown

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

• How long can I store these pecan pie bars?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

• Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare them a day in advance and keep them covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

• What if I don't have corn syrup?

You can substitute corn syrup with maple syrup or honey, though the flavor and texture might slightly change.

Lazy Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Delightful Lazy Pecan Pie Bars deliver Southern comfort with minimal effort, blending buttery shortbread and rich caramel-like filling. Nutty pecans crown these effortless treats, promising sweet satisfaction without complex baking techniques you’ll savor from first bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup corn syrup
• ½ cup granulated sugar

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor and Binding Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking vessel by lining an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhanging edges for easy removal.
2. Create the foundational crust by combining flour, brown sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Incorporate cold butter into the dry ingredients, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to form a crumbly texture.
3. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a uniform base. Bake until the surface turns a delicate golden hue, approximately 15 minutes.
4. While the crust transforms in the oven, craft the luxurious pecan filling by whisking together corn syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Gently fold chopped pecans into the liquid mixture, ensuring an even distribution of nutty fragments throughout the filling.
6. Remove the partially baked crust from the oven and immediately pour the pecan mixture over the surface, carefully spreading to cover every corner.
7. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking until the filling sets with a gentle wobble at the center, typically 20-25 minutes.
8. Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, resting on a wire rack to stabilize the delicate structure.
9. Utilize the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire dessert from the pan, then transfer to a cutting board for precise square cutting.
10. Optional: Dust the surface with a delicate veil of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch before serving.

Notes

• Quick and Simple Dessert: Whip up these irresistible pecan pie bars with minimal effort and maximum flavor in under an hour.
• Versatile Treat: Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or when you’re craving a sweet pecan-packed indulgence without the hassle of traditional pie-making.
• Texture Tip: The hot crust helps set the filling faster, creating a crisp bottom and gooey, caramel-like topping that melts in your mouth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making party prep a breeze.
• Serving Suggestion: Enhance the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra decadent experience.
• Storage Hack: These bars stay fresh for up to 5 days when kept in a sealed container, allowing you to enjoy multiple servings throughout the week.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg