Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe Easiest Sweet Fix

Crafting a delectable pecan pie bars recipe can be surprisingly simple for lazy bakers seeking maximum flavor with minimal effort.

These sweet treats promise to revolutionize your dessert game without demanding hours in the kitchen.

Nutty pecans nestled atop a buttery crust create a mouthwatering experience that feels both indulgent and effortless.

Rich caramel undertones meld perfectly with the crisp, flaky base, delivering a decadent bite every single time.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making this recipe ideal for spontaneous sugar cravings.

Minimal prep work means you can whip up these bars faster than driving to a bakery.

Each slice promises a delightful balance of crunch and sweetness that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars That Pack a Punch

  • Designed for busy home bakers, this recipe transforms traditional pecan pie into simple, slice-able bars using refrigerated pie crust and minimal ingredients.
  • Ready in just 30-35 minutes, these bars offer a speedy dessert solution perfect for last-minute gatherings or sudden sweet cravings.
  • Classic pecan pie taste meets convenient bar format, making it irresistible for both kids and adults at potlucks, holidays, or casual family desserts.
  • Using pre-made pie crust and a single mixing bowl reduces kitchen mess, allowing more time to enjoy delicious results without extensive preparation or washing multiple dishes.

What You Need for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

Pie Crust:
  • Refrigerated Pie Crust: Convenient base for the bars, providing a buttery and flaky foundation. Store-bought crusts save time and ensure consistent texture.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Corn Syrup, Brown Sugar: Sweet base that creates a rich, gooey filling with deep caramel-like flavor. Dark brown sugar adds more robust molasses notes.
  • Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the filling and provides structure. Fresh, room temperature eggs work best.
  • Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps blend filling ingredients smoothly. Unsalted butter recommended for better flavor control.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and adds depth to the flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract provides the best taste.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and heightens other flavors in the filling. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.
Nut Topping:
  • Pecan Halves: Signature ingredient providing crunch and nutty flavor. Choose fresh, whole pecans for the best texture and taste. Toasting pecans beforehand can intensify their flavor.

How to Make Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

Step 1: Craft the Base

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a light spray of cooking oil. Unroll your refrigerated pie crust and gently press it into the pan, making sure it covers the entire bottom smoothly. The crust should look like a cozy blanket hugging the pan.

Step 2: Create the Gooey Filling

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in:
  • Corn syrup
  • Brown sugar
  • Melted butter
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks silky and well-blended. Sprinkle in the pecan halves and stir until they’re completely coated with the sweet mixture.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the pecan mixture over the crust, spreading it evenly like you’re tucking the pecans into a warm, sugary bed. Slide the pan into a preheated oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it bake for 30-35 minutes- you’re looking for a golden-brown top and a filling that’s set but still has a slight jiggle.

Step 4: Cool and Slice

Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely. This is the hardest part- resist the temptation to dive in immediately! When cooled, slice into generous squares that showcase those beautiful pecans.

Tips for Baking Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Easily

  • Perfectly Press Pie Crust: Gently press refrigerated pie crust into the pan's corners to avoid air pockets and ensure an even, smooth base for your pecan bars.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use room temperature eggs and butter to help ingredients blend smoothly and create a consistent filling that bakes evenly without making the crust wet.
  • Toast Pecans for Extra Flavor: Lightly toast pecan halves before mixing into the filling to enhance their nutty depth and bring out a richer, more complex taste profile.
  • Cool Completely for Clean Cuts: Let the bars cool entirely at room temperature to help the filling set properly, which allows for clean, precise bar slices without crumbling.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Watch for a golden-brown top and a slightly firm center that jiggles just a bit when gently shaken, indicating the filling is perfectly set but not overcooked.

Store and Warm Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

  • Store leftover pecan pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the bars with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor.
  • Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. This helps restore their soft, gooey texture and brings out the rich pecan flavor.
  • Let frozen bars thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Great Pairings for Pecan Pie Bars

  • Smooth, caramel-rich bourbon complements the sweet, nutty flavors of pecan pie bars, enhancing the dessert's rich undertones and creating a luxurious tasting experience.
  • Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, gooey pecan bars, balancing the dessert's intense sweetness and adding a refreshing textural element.
  • Strong, bitter black coffee cuts through the pie bars' sweetness, creating a perfect flavor harmony and helping to cleanse the palate between each delectable bite.
  • Light, airy whipped cream adds a delicate, soft layer that softens the rich pecan filling and provides an extra touch of indulgence to the dessert.

Fun New Takes on Pecan Pie Bars

  • Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Bars: Replace traditional pie crust with gluten-free pie crust or almond flour-based crust. Use certified gluten-free corn syrup to ensure dietary compliance.
  • Vegan Pecan Pie Bars: Swap eggs with flax eggs or aquafaba. Use coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup as an alternative sweetener. Select vegan pie crust or make a nut-based crust.
  • Low-Sugar Pecan Pie Bars: Substitute corn syrup with sugar-free maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener. Reduce brown sugar quantity and add stevia for sweetness. Use whole wheat pie crust for added nutrition.
  • Keto-Friendly Pecan Pie Bars: Replace corn syrup with sugar-free syrup. Use almond flour for crust. Add erythritol or stevia as sweetener. Increase butter content to match keto macronutrient requirements.
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Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent lazy girl pecan pie bars bring Southern comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Rich, buttery layers meld classic pie flavors into an irresistible handheld treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups pecan halves
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (226 grams)

Crust Ingredient:

  • 1 package (16 ounces / 454 grams) refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light layer of grease.
  2. Gently unfurl the chilled pastry dough, pressing it smoothly across the entire base of the prepared pan, ensuring complete coverage without tears or gaps.
  3. In a spacious mixing vessel, blend corn syrup, rich caramel-toned sugar, liquefied butter, whisked eggs, aromatic vanilla, and a delicate sprinkle of salt until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
  4. Fold the pecan halves into the liquid mixture, ensuring each nutty morsel becomes luxuriously coated and distributed throughout.
  5. Cascade the pecan-studded filling across the prepared pastry foundation, using a spatula to create an even, tempting layer that promises delectable texture in every bite.
  6. Slide the pan into the preheated oven, allowing the bars to bake for 30-35 minutes until the surface achieves a golden bronze hue and the filling sets with a gentle, wobble-free firmness.
  7. Extract from the oven and permit the bars to cool completely, allowing the filling to stabilize and solidify into a perfectly sliceable treat.
  8. Once thoroughly cooled, slice into rectangular portions that showcase the pie’s rich, nutty interior and flaky pastry base.

Notes

  • Swap traditional pie crust with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or graham cracker crusts for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Reduce sugar content by using sugar-free corn syrup substitutes or replacing half the brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie version.
  • Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, rich taste profile in the bars.
  • Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner cutting, ensuring perfect square bars without sticking to the pan.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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