Effortless Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Carefree Pecan Pie Bars Recipe: Simple Bliss in Each Bite

Sink your teeth into these irresistibly gooey lazy pecan pie bars that promise decadent Southern comfort without hours of complicated baking.

These magical bars capture all the rich, buttery essence of classic pecan pie in a simplified, stress-free format.

No complicated pastry skills or lengthy prep time stand between you and pure dessert bliss.

Every golden, caramelized bite delivers a sublime balance of sweet, nutty goodness that melts in your mouth.

The secret lies in a simple shortcut technique that transforms basic ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Layers of brown sugar, pecans, and a tender, crumbly crust create a dessert so delicious, everyone will beg for seconds.

Grab a fork and get ready to indulge in the most delightful shortcut to pecan pie perfection.

Pecan Pie Bar Flavor Ideas

Pecan Pie Bar Flavor Ideas
  • Pecan Pie Bar Mastery: Expert Tips & Twists
  • Butter Boost: Swap cold butter with browned butter for a nutty, rich undertone that elevates the entire dessert's complexity.
  • Nutty Adventure: Experiment with mixed nuts like walnuts or almonds alongside pecans to create a unique textural and flavor experience.
  • Sweet Swap: Replace corn syrup with maple syrup or honey for a more natural, deeper sweetness that complements the pecans beautifully.
  • Chocolate Whisper: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars or mix chocolate chips into the filling for an indulgent twist that chocolate lovers will adore.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, making them perfect for advance party preparation or unexpected sweet cravings.

Serving Lazy Pecan Pie Bars Neatly

  • Dessert Companion Delights: Perfect Pairings
  • Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop: Top each warm bar with a creamy vanilla ice cream scoop for a decadent hot-and-cold contrast that melts deliciously.
  • Coffee Café Experience: Serve alongside a rich espresso or smooth cappuccino to complement the sweet, nutty pecan flavors and enhance the dessert's richness.
  • Whipped Cream Elegance: Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream with a light sprinkle of cinnamon to elevate the bars' texture and introduce a subtle spicy note.
  • Seasonal Fruit Garnish: Garnish with fresh berries or a small orange segment to provide a bright, tangy balance against the pie bars' deep caramel sweetness.

Storage Advice for Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

  • Slice and Store Smart: Keep your pecan pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
  • Chill for Longer Enjoyment: Refrigerate the bars in a sealed container for up to a week, providing a cool treat that remains deliciously fresh and intact.
  • Freeze for Future Cravings: Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These tasty squares will stay perfect for 2-3 months, ready to thaw and enjoy whenever the mood strikes.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bars a day before your event, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Simply cover and store at room temperature, ensuring a stress-free dessert that impresses everyone.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 17

Lazy Pecan Pie Bars: What to Gather

For Crust Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for the delicate pie bars, look for fresh, unbleached variety.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramel undertones and helps create crumbly texture, choose soft and moist sugar.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for best distribution.
  • Butter: Creates flaky, tender crust with rich flavor, select high-quality cold unsalted butter.
For Filling Liquid:
  • Corn Syrup: Delivers signature glossy, smooth texture and prevents sugar crystallization, opt for pure corn syrup.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides primary sweetness and helps create smooth filling, select fine-grain sugar.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and create silky consistency, use fresh room-temperature eggs.
  • Vanilla: Deepens flavor complexity and adds aromatic warmth, choose pure vanilla extract.
  • Melted Butter: Contributes richness and helps distribute ingredients evenly, use unsalted butter.
For Topping:
  • Pecans: Offers nutty crunch and signature flavor, select fresh, crisp pecan pieces.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides elegant finishing touch and light sweetness, sift for smooth application.

Tools Required for Pecan Pie Bars

  • 8-inch square baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect bar size and shape.
  • Parchment paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
  • Pastry cutter or fingers: Perfect for blending butter into the crust mixture.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Needed for preparing the crust and filling ingredients.
  • Whisk: Great for creating a smooth and well-combined pecan filling.
  • Wire rack: Helps cool the bars evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing the bars neatly.
  • Sharp knife: Ensures clean, precise cuts for serving.

Steps to Bake Lazy Pecan Pie Bars

Steps to Bake Lazy Pecan Pie Bars
  • Buttery Crust Foundation

Create a delightful base using flour, brown sugar, and cold butter. Press the crumbly mixture into a lined baking pan, forming a golden foundation that will support the rich pecan topping.

  • Pecan Filling Magic

Whisk together a silky blend of corn syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Fold in chopped pecans, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the luscious mixture.

  • Baking Transformation

Bake the crust until it turns a light golden shade. Pour the pecan filling over the hot base, then return to the oven. Watch as the filling sets and slightly puffs, creating a gorgeous caramelized surface.

  • Cooling and Serving

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Gently lift out using parchment paper, slice into squares, and dust with a whisper of powdered sugar if desired. These bars are a sweet invitation to indulge in pure comfort.

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Effortless Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Effortless Pecan Pie Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Lazy pecan pie bars offer a delightful Southern-style dessert perfect for gatherings. Nutty pecans and caramel-like filling create an irresistible treat you’ll surely enjoy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) pecans, chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120 ml) corn syrup
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold, cubed
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and drape an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang for effortless extraction.
  2. Crust Formation: Meld flour, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl. Massage cold butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse, crumbly terrain. Compact the mixture firmly and uniformly across the pan’s base.
  3. Initial Baking: Dispatch the crust into the heated oven, transforming it to a golden landscape for approximately 15 minutes.
  4. Filling Composition: Whisk corn syrup, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter into a harmonious, glossy elixir. Cascade chopped pecans through the liquid, ensuring their even distribution.
  5. Final Assembly: Liberate the partially baked crust from the oven and cascade the pecan mixture across its surface, ensuring complete coverage. Return to the oven’s embrace for 20-25 minutes until the center achieves a subtle tremor when nudged.
  6. Cooling and Presentation: Permit the bars to rest completely on a wire rack, allowing their structure to stabilize. Leverage the parchment paper’s edges to extract the entire creation, then slice into precise squares. Optionally, dust with a whisper of powdered sugar for an elegant finale.

Notes

  • Crust Consistency Check: Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly to prevent crumbly or uneven base that might affect the bar’s structural integrity.
  • Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold butter when creating the crust to ensure a flaky, rich texture that provides the perfect foundation for the pecan filling.
  • Pecan Distribution Technique: Fold pecans gently into the filling to guarantee an even spread, preventing clumping and ensuring each bite has a nutty crunch.
  • Doneness Indicator: Look for a slight wobble in the center when baking the filling – this signals the perfect set without overcooking, maintaining a luscious, gooey texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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