Easy Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars for the Perfect Dessert Recipe
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars offer a simple and delightful way to enjoy the rich flavors of classic pecan pie without the fuss. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a sweet, nutty pecan filling, these bars are perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a crowd-pleasing dessert. Ready in under an hour, they require no complicated techniques and can be made ahead to impress your guests with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars (about 4x4 squares) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Pecan Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup corn syrup (light or dark)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves or chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together with a crumbly texture. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake this crust for 12-15 minutes until it is lightly golden brown.
- Prepare the Pecan Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together the eggs, light brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined. Stir in the pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Assemble the Bars: Once the crust has finished baking, remove it from the oven and carefully pour the pecan filling evenly over the crust. Use a spatula to spread the filling out uniformly, ensuring the pecans are well distributed across the surface.
- Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges. This ensures a perfectly baked pecan bar with a firm but tender filling.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack before slicing into squares. Serve as is, or enhance with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use fresh pecans for the best flavor and crunch.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Using parchment paper eases removal of bars from the baking dish.
- Can substitute maple syrup or honey for corn syrup if unavailable.
- Bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
- Refrigerate bars for up to 5 days to prolong freshness.
- Freeze bars wrapped individually for up to 3 months; thaw to room temperature before serving.
- Reheat gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes for best texture.
- Cover with foil during baking if pecans brown too quickly to avoid burning.
- Can substitute walnuts or almonds for pecans if desired; chop nuts evenly.
Keywords: pecan pie bars, easy pecan dessert, lazy girl pecan bars, pecan dessert, holiday baking, simple pecan bars
