Effortless Southern Baking: Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Everyone Will Love

Photo byAngie Bright

When you're craving something sweet and homemade but don't have the time or energy for a complex recipe, Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect solution. These bars are everything you love about a traditional pecan pie but without the hassle. With a buttery crust and a gooey, nutty filling, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. Best of all, they’re quick and easy to make, allowing even the busiest of home cooks to create something delicious in no time.

A Taste of Tradition Made Simple
Pecan pie is a Southern classic, known for its rich and sweet flavor, with crunchy pecans floating atop a smooth, caramel-like filling. This recipe for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars gives you all of that deliciousness in a more convenient form. Instead of rolling out a pie crust, you press the dough into a baking dish, pour the filling over it, and pop it in the oven. The result? Perfectly portioned, handheld bars that are easy to serve and even easier to eat.

Perfect for Holidays or Everyday Snacking
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars are great for holiday gatherings when you're juggling multiple dishes and want something stress-free for dessert. These bars also work as a quick treat for a potluck, a bake sale, or simply as a sweet snack to have at home. The buttery crust pairs beautifully with the sweet and nutty filling, and the simplicity of the recipe makes it one you’ll turn to again and again.

Recipe: Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Filling:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
3. Press this crumbly dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
4. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until it turns a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
5. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and salt until well combined.
6. Pour the pecan mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it out evenly.
7. Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling has set and is no longer jiggly in the center.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

These bars are a perfect balance of sweet and crunchy, with the gooey pecan filling complemented by the rich buttery crust. They’re a hit for any occasion and are sure to disappear quickly!

The Sweet Finish
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars prove that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make a dessert that feels indulgent and tastes incredible. Whether you're looking to impress guests or simply satisfy your own sweet cravings, these bars hit the spot every time. They embody the best of classic pecan pie but with a quicker, easier twist—perfect for the lazy baker who still wants to make something special.

Here are some great sources for making Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars, a quick and simplified version of the traditional pecan pie.

1. Recipes Own offers a straightforward approach, combining a buttery shortbread crust with a gooey pecan topping. They also provide some interesting variations like adding chocolate chips or substituting maple syrup for a different flavor​(Recipes Own).
2. Family Fresh Recipes emphasizes the simplicity of this dessert, highlighting how it retains the traditional richness of pecan pie while being much easier to prepare. This version is perfect for gatherings and offers tips like adding coconut for a tropical twist or bourbon for a Southern-inspired variation​(Tasty Family Fresh Recipes).
3. Recipe Quick and Easy also provides step-by-step guidance and offers fun adjustments like adding a splash of rum or a drizzle of chocolate to elevate the bars​(Recipe Quick and Easy).