Let’s be honest, some days, even opening a pie crust package feels like too much. That’s where the Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe swoops in like a buttery, gooey hero. You get all the classic pecan pie flavor, caramelized nuts, sweet filling, and golden edges, but baked into effortless bars you can whip up with one eye open and coffee in hand, no fancy skills. No dough rolling. Just dump, spread, and bake your way to dessert glory.
These bars are the ultimate fuss-free treat, and they fit right into your laid-back baking dreams alongside other crowd-pleasers like our Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe, Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe, and Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe Without Cream Cheese. They’re buttery. They’re toasty. And best of all, they’re lazy. Which, let’s be real, is sometimes the best kind of cooking.
And here’s the twist: it’s not just a guilty pleasure. These bars are loaded with pecans, which are rich in antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and fiber. In fact, according to Healthline, pecans may even support weight control and reduce inflammation. So yes, you can have your bar and feel good about it, too.
- Origins of the Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Health Benefits of Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Serving and Variations for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Tips and Tricks for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- 🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars
- Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe From OoohDelish!
- Share Your Twist on This Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe!
- FAQs: Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Origins of the Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
The classic pecan pie has been a Southern staple for generations, ooey, gooey, nutty, and nestled in a buttery crust. But let’s face it: rolling dough, managing fillings, and baking pies from scratch isn’t always realistic. Enter the modern twist that changed lazy bakers’ lives forever: pecan pie bars. Somewhere in the 1980s or early 90s, food bloggers and shortcut-loving home bakers began slicing up their pies into bars, skipping crust drama altogether, and the Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe was born.
These bars are part of a bigger wave of effortless dessert hacks like our Pecan Pie Dump Cake Recipe or King Arthur Brownie Recipe. Instead of a full-on pastry commitment, you get a simple shortbread or cake mix base topped with the same rich filling of chopped pecans, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. The bars slice like a dream and are perfect for potlucks, lunchboxes, or late-night cravings.
Today, these bars are beloved across Pinterest boards and TikTok scrolls, celebrated for their no-fuss attitude. And thanks to their simplicity, they’ve earned their place on our site alongside easy-to-make faves like the Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe and Bread Machine Kaiser Rolls Recipe. Lazy? Maybe. Brilliant? Definitely.
Health Benefits of Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Okay, so we know what you’re thinking; how could a dessert this indulgent possibly have any health benefits? Well, while we’re not saying these bars are a superfood, the pecans in them do bring some surprisingly nutritious perks to the party.
Pecans are loaded with healthy fats, especially monounsaturated fats that can support heart health. According to Healthline, they’re also high in antioxidants, including vitamin E and flavonoids, which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Plus, pecans provide fiber, zinc, and magnesium, giving you a tiny nutritional boost with each gooey bite. Not bad for a dessert, right?
Of course, these bars still pack sugar and calories (it’s dessert after all!), but using wholesome ingredients like chopped pecans, eggs, and possibly even a reduced-sugar alternative to corn syrup can help you enjoy them a little more mindfully. If you want to make them a smidge healthier, check out our Paleo Zucchini Bread Recipe for a balanced bake-day option.
Nutritional Highlights (Per 1 Bar Approx.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~240 kcal |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Carbs | 22g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fiber | 2g |
Note: Values vary depending on your specific ingredients and portion size.
Serving and Variations for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
These bars are the ultimate party dessert; they cut clean, travel well, and let’s be honest… people fight over them at potlucks. Whether you’re serving them at Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or a casual Tuesday night “treat yo’ self” moment, you can’t go wrong.
We recommend serving your Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Bonus points if you warm it in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Your taste buds will think they’ve won the dessert lottery.
Variations to Try
- Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie Bars: Add ½ cup of dark chocolate chips to the pecan layer for a decadent twist. This pairs beautifully with our King Arthur Brownie Recipe.
- Maple Syrup Swap: Instead of corn syrup, try pure maple syrup for a deeper flavor and slightly healthier edge. You’ll still keep that sticky-sweet perfection.
- Nut Mix-Up: No pecans? Use walnuts or a mix of nuts for a new flavor profile, similar to our nut-forward Crack Chicken Tenders that also lean on savory crunch.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake mix or crust alternative to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
- Mini Muffin Style: Turn the bars into bite-sized pecan pie cups by baking in a muffin tin with cupcake liners, portable and party-ready!
Want more sweet shortcuts? Try our Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries or the wildly addictive Pecan Pie Dump Cake!
Tips and Tricks for Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
- Use parchment paper like a pro. Lining your pan with parchment makes it 10x easier to lift the whole slab out for clean slicing. Trust us, wrestling with sticky corners is not the vibe.
- Don’t overbake! The center should be just set with a little jiggle; it’ll firm up as it cools. Overbaking leads to dry, sad bars… and we’re here for gooey goodness only.
- Cool completely before slicing. Yes, it’s hard to wait, but if you slice too early, the filling will run. Let it chill out for at least 1–2 hours. Pop it in the fridge to speed things up.
- Toast your pecans. This tiny extra step brings out amazing flavor. Just toast them in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
- Want deeper flavor? Swap in a splash of bourbon vanilla or a touch of molasses. It’ll give your bars that “secret ingredient” flair, much like what we did in our Benihana Mustard Sauce Recipe.
- Short on time? Use a yellow cake mix crust instead of making one from scratch. That’s what makes this recipe “lazy girl” magic, just like our Pecan Pie Dump Cake.
- Double the batch. These bars freeze beautifully! Store in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment. You’ll thank yourself later.
Craving more sweet shortcuts? Don’t miss our cozy Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe or Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe Without Cream Cheese to drizzle on just about anything!
🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars
Step 1: Prep That Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of softened butter, and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Mix until it forms a crumbly dough.
Press this evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan.
Pop it in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, just until lightly golden. This will form your buttery, shortbread-like base.
Step 2: Mix the Gooey Filling
While the crust is baking, whisk together two large eggs, 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of corn syrup (or maple syrup), 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Add one tablespoon of flour to help set the filling, and mix well.
Stir in 1 to 1½ cups of chopped pecans, toasted if you want extra flavor!
Step 3: Pour and Bake Again
Remove the crust from the oven.
Gently pour your pecan mixture over the hot crust. Spread evenly with a spatula.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly. It will firm up as it cools.
Step 4: Cool, Slice, and Serve
Let the bars cool completely for at least 2 hours. You can chill them in the fridge if you’re impatient (we won’t judge).
Once set, lift them out using the parchment edges and cut into squares or bars.
🍂 These sweet and sticky treats are bar-table pecan pies.
Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or secretly snacking straight from the fridge.
Need more cozy bakes? Check out our Bread Machine Kaiser Rolls Recipe or that legendary King Arthur Brownie Recipe.
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe From OoohDelish!
Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- 8×8-inch baking pan
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Oven
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- For the Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ cups chopped pecans toasted optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, softened butter, and brown sugar. Mix until crumbly. Press evenly into the baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Prepare the filling: In another bowl, whisk eggs, brown sugar, syrup, vanilla, flour, and salt until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans.
- Assemble: Pour the filling over the hot crust and spread it evenly.
- Bake: Return to oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until center is set but still a little soft.
- Cool completely: Allow the bars to cool for 1–2 hours, then slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast your pecans first!
- Don’t skip the parchment paper; it makes cleanup a breeze.
- Want to make it festive? Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or drizzle of maple glaze.
Share Your Twist on This Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe!
Did you jazz it up with chocolate chips? Maybe swapped in maple syrup instead of corn syrup? Or went wild with a pecan-walnut combo? Whether you made them gluten-free, dairy-free, or full-on indulgent, we want to hear about it!
📸 Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram or Facebook with #OoohDelishTwist your version might be our next feature!
💌 Have a secret family spin on these bars? Email us at contact@ooohdelish.com we’d love to showcase your creativity in an upcoming post!
FAQs: Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
What makes these Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars “lazy”?
They skip the pie crust and complicated steps — just mix, press, pour, and bake. No fancy tools or rolling pins required!
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the crust, and double-check your other ingredients for gluten-free labels.
How do I store leftover pecan pie bars?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. They also freeze well!
Can I use maple syrup instead of corn syrup?
Yes! Maple syrup gives a deeper, slightly smokier flavor that pairs beautifully with pecans.
What’s the best way to serve these bars?
Warm them slightly and top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a dreamy treat.
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