Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars: Easy Dessert!

Okay, confession time, amici. I adore pecan pie. That gooey, nutty, caramelly goodness? Mamma Mia, yes please! But making a traditional pie crust from scratch? Sometimes this busy mama just doesn’t have the time or the patience (especially when my kids, Luca and Mia, are running circles around me demanding snacks five minutes before dinner!). That’s where the magic of these Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars comes swooping in to save the day! This isn’t about cutting corners on flavor, honey, it’s about being smart in the kitchen! We’re talking all the decadent pecan pie paradise you crave, baked into easy-to-eat bars with a super simple press-in crust. My goofy husband Mike calls them “genius bars,” and for once, his pun is actually accurate!

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Forget wrestling with rolling pins, perfectly crimped edges that mock you, or the dreaded “blind baking” saga that always seems to involve lost pie weights. This recipe is all about maximum deliciousness with minimal fuss. The crust? Press it in! The filling? Mix and pour! The result? Utterly satisfying, perfectly portable bars that taste just like the classic pie, maybe even better (dare I say it?!). Perfect for potlucks, Thanksgiving dessert tables when you’re already overwhelmed, or just treating yourself after a long week navigating Portland traffic. So, let’s embrace our inner smarty-pants baker and whip up these ridiculously easy and insanely delicious bars!

Why Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Are a Dream Come True

Okay, seriously, why am I so obsessed with this simplified lazy girl pecan pie bars version? Let me count the ways, preferably while sneaking a bite:

• Crust Nirvana (No Rolling Pin Required!): Forget the flour-dusted counter catastrophe! This buttery shortbread crust is simply pressed into the pan. Takes minutes. No tears, no sticking, no patching holes. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
• Whip-It-Up Filling: The pecan pie filling? Literally just stir the ingredients together in one bowl and pour. ONE BOWL, people! It takes maybe 5 minutes flat. Mamma Mia, that’s faster than finding matching socks for the kids!
• Quicker Bake, Quicker Bliss: Because they’re bars, they bake faster than a deep-dish pie. Less waiting time means that pecan pie goodness gets into your belly sooner. That’s what I call a win-win!
• Party Perfect Portability: Cutting and serving neat little bars is SO much easier than trying to wrestle a slice out of a potentially gooey pie without disaster. Ideal for sharing at potlucks, picnics, or holiday gatherings.
• All the Flavor, None of the Fuss: Don’t let the “lazy” name fool you! These pack ALL the rich, nutty, caramelly punch of a classic pecan pie. You lose the stress, not one ounce of the amazing taste!

Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe: Your Shortcut to Sweet Success

This recipe is your express train ticket to pecan pie heaven. Simple, delicious, and guaranteed to make you look like a baking rockstar!

Yields: 16 yummy bars (or fewer if you cut them bigger… no judgment!) Prep time: About 15 minutes! (Yes, really!) Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Easy Press-In Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Just the regular stuff!
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, COLD and cubed: Straight from the fridge, amici! Cold butter = tender crust. Cut it into small-ish cubes.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar. Makes the crust perfectly sweet and tender.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the butter flavor. Don’t skip it!
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water: Have a small glass of ice water ready. You’ll add just enough, one tablespoon at a time, for the dough to just hold together when pinched.

For the Glorious Pecan Pie Filling:

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Make sure you pack it firmly into the measuring cup for that deep, caramel flavor!
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Melt it gently in the microwave or on the stove. Easy peasy!
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup: The secret to that classic gooey, non-crystallized pecan pie texture. Dark corn syrup works too if you like a more robust molasses flavor.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Crucial for balancing all that sweetness!
• 2 large eggs: Help set the filling beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor – it’s worth it!
• 2 cups pecan halves: The stars of the show! You can leave them whole or give them a rough chop if you prefer smaller pieces.

Equipment:

• 9×13 inch baking pan (a metal one gives the best crisp crust!)
• Mixing bowls (one medium for crust, one large for filling)
• Pastry blender or food processor (optional, but makes the crust super fast!)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk

Instructions:

Let’s Make the Crust (The Easy Way!):

1. Oven On & Pan Prep: First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab your 9×13 inch pan. If it’s a good non-stick metal pan, you might not need to grease it, but I usually give it a quick spray or line it with parchment paper (leaving some overhang like handles) just to be safe and make cleanup easier!
2. Dry Ingredients Mix: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Get them nicely acquainted.
3. Cut in that COLD Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Now, using a pastry blender (my fave!), two knives scissor-style, or just your fingertips (work fast so the butter stays cold!), cut the butter into the flour. Keep going until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs, with some little pea-sized butter pieces still visible. ( Food processor shortcut: Pulse the dry ingredients a few times, add the cold butter cubes, and pulse just until you get those coarse crumbs. )
4. Ice Water Trickle: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the ice water over the crumb mixture. Gently toss it together with a fork (or pulse very briefly in the food processor) until the dough just starts to clump together. If it still seems dry and powdery, add that last tablespoon of ice water. You want it to hold together when pinched, but don’t make it wet! Stop mixing as soon as it comes together – overmixing = tough crust!
5. Press It In!: Dump the crumbly dough mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch pan. Use your clean fingers or the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press the dough firmly and evenly across the entire bottom of the pan. Try to get it nice and level!
6. Quick Bake (Par-Baking!): Pop the crust into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 10 minutes. This little head start (called par-baking) helps ensure your crust stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy from the filling. Don’t skip it!

Now, the Glorious Filling (Even Easier!):

1. Whisk the Sweet Stuff: While that crust is getting its tan, grab a large mixing bowl. Pour in the melted butter, add the packed brown sugar, corn syrup, and the 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and combined.
2. Eggs & Vanilla In: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition until fully incorporated and the mixture is glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Fold in the Pecans: Gently fold in the pecan halves (or chopped pecans) until they’re all swimming happily in that glorious brown sugar mixture.
4. Pour Over Hot Crust: Once the crust’s 10-minute timer is up, carefully take it out of the oven. Immediately pour the pecan filling evenly over the hot crust. Use your spatula to gently spread the pecans out so they cover the whole surface. If you love the ease of these bars, you absolutely have to try my decadent Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars next time – they take this concept to a whole new level!
5. Bake to Golden Glory: Carefully place the pan back into the 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the filling looks set, especially around the edges (it might still have the tiniest wobble right in the center), and the top is a beautiful, bubbly golden brown.
6. Cool Down is CRUCIAL (The Hardest Part!): Mamma Mia, your kitchen smells incredible right now! But resist the urge to cut into them! You MUST let these bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. This allows that gooey filling to fully set up. Cutting them warm will result in a delicious, sticky mess (ask me how I know!). Patience, my friends, patience! This usually takes at least 2-3 hours at room temperature.
7. Slice & Celebrate!: Once completely cool, use a sharp knife (wiping it clean between cuts helps!) to slice into bars or squares. Now you can finally reward yourself for your patience! Enjoy!

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Want to take the pecan flavor over the top? Toast those pecans lightly before adding them to the filling! It makes a huge difference. Need tips? Simplyrecipes has a fantastic guide on how to toast pecans – so easy!

Tips and Tricks for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bar Perfection

Want foolproof, perfect bars every single time? Keep these little Nonna-approved nuggets of wisdom in mind:

• Butter Must Be COLD (for the crust!): Keep that butter chilled right up until you cut it into the flour. Those little cold butter pieces create steam pockets during baking, which is the secret to a tender, almost flaky shortbread crust.
• Crust Handling: Gentle Hands!: Mix the crust dough just until it comes together. If you overwork it after adding the water, you’ll develop too much gluten, and the crust will be tough instead of tender. Less touching = better crust!
• Don’t Skip the Par-Bake!: That quick 10-minute bake for the crust alone is essential. It sets the base and prevents the dreaded soggy bottom syndrome when you add the wet filling.
• Cooling is Key!: I know, I sound like a broken record! But letting the bars cool COMPLETELY (like, several hours) is non-negotiable for the filling to set properly. If you cut them warm, they’ll be a delicious gooey puddle. Be patient!
• Neat Freak Slicing: For picture-perfect bars, use a large, sharp chef’s knife. Run it under hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. Chilling the completely cooled bars in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing also helps get super clean edges.

Love these simple bars? You absolutely HAVE to try the next level: my decadent Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars recipe! Similar concept, but with a creamy cheesecake layer too. Mamma Mia!

Variations on the Lazy Girl Theme

Feeling fancy? Want to put your own signature spin on these lazy girl pecan pie bars ? Go for it, baker!

• Spice It Up: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and maybe a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the pecan filling for a warm, cozy spice vibe.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Stir ¾ cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips into the pecan filling just before pouring it over the crust. Pecan + Chocolate = Heaven!
• Maple Twist: Swap the light corn syrup for an equal amount of pure maple syrup for a distinctively different, woodsy sweetness. A splash of maple extract wouldn’t hurt either!
• Salted Caramel Kiss: Drizzle a bit of your favorite salted caramel sauce over the top of the bars during the last 5 minutes of baking. Oh my goodness!
• Bourbon Bite: For the grown-ups! Add 1-2 tablespoons of good bourbon to the filling along with the vanilla extract for a sophisticated kick. Perfect for holidays!

Even a simple press-in crust benefits from good technique! Understanding why cold butter matters makes you a better baker. Inspired Taste has a fantastic explanation of pie crust science that applies here too!

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Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

These pecan pie bars deliver all the flavor of pecan pie with a fraction of the effort, featuring a simple press-in crust and a luscious pecan filling.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 bars

Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Pastry blender or food processor (optional)

Ingredients

  

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Pecan Pie Filling:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

 

Make the Crust:

• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
• Cut in Butter: Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can use a food processor to pulse the ingredients together.
• Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
• Press into Pan: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan.
• Bake: Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

Make the Pecan Pie Filling:

• Combine Filling Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
• Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
• Stir in Pecans: Stir in the pecan halves.
• Pour over Crust: Pour the pecan pie filling over the pre-baked crust.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
• Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Notes

Use cold butter for flaky crust. Don’t overwork the dough. Cool completely before cutting.

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate only and can vary significantly depending on the specific ingredients used. For accurate values, use a nutrition calculator with your specific ingredients.

Keyword Easy Dessert, pecan, pecan pie bars

Answering Your Pecan Pie Bar Questions

Got questions swirling around these easy-peasy lazy girl pecan pie bars ? Let’s tackle ’em!

Your Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bar Adventure Awaits: Get Baking!

See? These Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars prove you don’t need to be a pastry chef or spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly spectacular. It’s all about smart, simple techniques that deliver big flavor! My kids, Luca and Mia, love these because they’re easy to grab and eat (less mess than pie!), and Mike? He just loves anything with pecans and butter! It’s a win-win-win! Whether you’re a seasoned baker looking for a quick holiday dessert or a beginner wanting a guaranteed delicious success story, these bars are calling your name.

So go on, embrace your inner “lazy” (aka genius!) baker and whip up a batch. Get ready for that sweet, nutty, gooey satisfaction without the pie-crust drama! Let me know how yours turn out in the comments below! Buon appetito!