Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

Lazy Pecan Pie Bars offer all the delicious, gooey flavors of a classic pecan pie but in an easy-to-make bar form. With a buttery shortbread crust and a rich, nutty filling, these bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or when you’re craving a sweet treat with minimal fuss.

The recipe starts with a simple crust made from flour, brown sugar, and cold butter, which is pressed into a baking pan and pre-baked until lightly golden. This crust provides a sturdy, slightly crisp base for the rich filling. The filling itself is a sweet mixture of corn syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and chopped pecans, creating that classic pecan pie texture and flavor. Once poured over the crust, the bars bake to a perfect golden brown, with the filling setting to a slight jiggle in the center.

After cooling, these bars are easy to slice and serve, making them a convenient option for dessert trays or casual gatherings. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch, and enjoy these indulgent, nutty bars that deliver all the taste of pecan pie without the need for rolling out pie dough!

Why You’ll Love It:

Effortless to Make: These bars skip the time-consuming steps of traditional pecan pie, so you can enjoy that pecan pie flavor with minimal effort.
Perfectly Portable: Pecan pie bars are easy to slice and serve, making them ideal for gatherings, dessert tables, and picnics.
All the Classic Flavors: The buttery crust, rich filling, and crunchy pecans make every bite deliciously satisfying.
Great Make-Ahead Dessert: These bars taste even better as they sit, allowing the flavors to meld, so they’re perfect to make ahead for parties and holidays.

Key Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the crust, giving it structure. For an extra tender crust, you could use a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and cake flour.
Brown Sugar: Packed light brown sugar brings a subtle caramel flavor to the crust. Dark brown sugar can be used for a richer taste.
Unsalted Butter: Cold butter is essential to achieve a crumbly texture for the crust. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt in the crust.
Corn Syrup: This adds sweetness and helps achieve that classic gooey texture of pecan pie filling. Use light or dark corn syrup depending on how rich you want the flavor to be.
Granulated Sugar: Adds extra sweetness and balances the flavor of the corn syrup.
Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the taste of the pecans.
Chopped Pecans: Finely chopped pecans distribute better in the filling, making each bite perfectly nutty.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

How to Make Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Pan: Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars after baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Crust

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, and salt.
Add Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it into the dry ingredients until it forms coarse crumbs. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
Press the Crust: Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan and press it firmly into an even layer across the bottom. This will form the base for your bars.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust turns a light golden brown.

Step 3: Make the Filling

Whisk the Ingredients: While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
Add Pecans: Stir in the chopped pecans, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Pour Over Crust: Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven. Pour the pecan filling over the hot crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula if needed.

Step 4: Bake the Bars

Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the filling is set and slightly puffed. Gently shake the pan to test doneness; the center should have a slight jiggle but should not be overly liquid.

Step 5: Cool and Cut

Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan on a wire rack. This step helps the filling set properly.
Remove and Slice: Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into squares using a sharp knife.

Optional Garnish

Dust with Powdered Sugar: If desired, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the bars before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions:

Whipped Cream: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.
Ice Cream: Vanilla bean or butter pecan ice cream makes a fantastic side for these bars.
Warm Caramel Sauce: Drizzle some caramel sauce on top for a decadent treat.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:

Room Temperature: Store pecan pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed slightly warm or at room temperature.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, place them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving, or warm them briefly in the microwave.
Freezing: Freeze bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before serving.

Variations:

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the filling for a chocolatey twist.
Maple Pecan Bars: Substitute the corn syrup with pure maple syrup for a deeper, richer sweetness.
Bourbon Pecan Bars: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon to the filling mixture for a hint of warmth and complexity.
Salted Caramel Pecan Bars: Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the bars just before serving for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
Nut-Free Option: Swap the pecans for rolled oats or shredded coconut if you need a nut-free alternative.

Conclusion:

These Lazy Pecan Pie Bars bring all the sweet, nutty goodness of a traditional pecan pie into a simple, snackable form that’s easy to make and share. They’re a fantastic addition to any dessert spread, holiday table, or casual get-together. With their buttery crust and caramelized pecan filling, these bars are sure to be a hit! Enjoy every gooey, nutty bite!