If you love the rich, caramelized sweetness of a classic pecan pie but donât always feel like making pie dough, rolling, chilling, and crimping edges, these Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars are about to become your new signature dessert. They deliver that same nostalgic, gooey pecan filling on top of a buttery shortbread baseâwithout the fuss, the stress, or the mess. Just simple ingredients, a few easy steps, and a whole lot of flavor. These bars are the kind of recipe you keep tucked in your back pocket for every holiday, potluck, or last-minute gathering. Theyâre incredibly quick to assemble, bake beautifully, and slice into perfect squares once cooled. And the flavor? Pure pecan pie bliss: nutty, buttery, sweet, and gooey with just the right hint of vanilla.Whether youâre new to baking or just looking for a dessert that never fails, this recipe is as foolproof as it gets.
đ„§ Why These Bars Are So Loved
The magic of these bars is that they taste like a homemade pecan pie your grandma spent hours on⊠except you only spent 10 minutes putting them together.
The base is a simple melt-and-mix shortbread crust that bakes into a tender, buttery layer. On top, a classic pecan filling thickens and caramelizes as it bakes, creating that signature sticky texture pecan lovers adore.
No mixer. No fancy equipment. No drama. Just delicious, reliable results every single time.
đ Ingredients
For the buttery shortbread crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the gooey pecan filling
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
đ©âđł Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Preheat and prep
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9Ă13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will make slicing so much easier later.
2. Make the crust
In a mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
Bake for 15 minutes, just until the crust looks set but not browned.
3. Whisk the filling
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, flour, and vanilla until smooth.
Add the chopped pecans and mix to combine.
4. Pour & bake
Pour the pecan mixture over the warm, pre-baked crust.
Bake for 25â30 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set but still slightly soft.
5. Cool & slice
Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
This step is essentialâthe filling firms up as it cools, giving you clean, perfect squares.
â Tips for Perfect Pecan Bars
- Want extra crunch? Add a handful of whole pecans on top before baking.
- Prefer a deeper caramel flavor? Replace half the corn syrup with maple syrup.
- Love chocolate? Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot crust before adding the filling.
- Need them extra gooey? Bake on the lower end of the time range.
đ Serving Ideas
These bars shine on:
- holiday dessert tables
- potlucks
- bake sales
- coffee breaks
- cozy fall and winter evenings
Serve them with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or enjoy them just as they are â sweet, buttery perfection.