Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars: The Ultimate Easy Dessert

When you’re craving the rich, buttery goodness of pecan pie but don’t want to deal with the hassle of making a crust from scratch, these Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars are the perfect solution. With a chewy shortbread base and a gooey pecan topping, these bars deliver all the flavor of traditional pecan pie with minimal effort. Plus, they’re easy to customize—add chocolate chips, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a dash of bourbon for extra decadence.

Ready in under an hour, these bars are ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or just a sweet treat at home. Let’s get baking!

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Recipe: Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Pecan Pie Filling:

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter

• 1 cup (220g) packed light brown sugar

• ⅓ cup (80ml) pure maple syrup or honey

• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or whole milk)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 cups (200g) chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Shortbread Crust

• In a food processor (or a mixing bowl if doing by hand), combine the flour, sugar, and salt.

• Add the cold cubed butter and pulse (or cut in with a pastry cutter) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Press the dough firmly into the prepared pan in an even layer.

• Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.

3. Prepare the Pecan Filling

• While the crust bakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

• Remove from heat and stir in the pecans until fully coated.

4. Assemble & Bake

• Pour the pecan filling over the hot crust, spreading evenly.

• Return to the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and set.

5. Cool & Slice

• Let the bars cool completely in the pan (about 1–2 hours) before lifting them out using the parchment paper.

• Slice into 16 squares and serve.

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Tips for Perfect Pecan Pie Bars

✅ Use cold butter for the crust to ensure a flaky texture.
✅ Don’t overbake the filling—it should be bubbly but not burnt.
✅ Let them cool fully before cutting to prevent a gooey mess.
✅ Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

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Variations to Try

🍫 Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars – Sprinkle ½ cup chocolate chips over the crust before adding the filling.
🥃 Bourbon Pecan Bars – Add 1 tablespoon bourbon to the filling for a boozy twist.
🧂 Salted Caramel Pecan Bars – Drizzle with caramel sauce and a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving.

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Why You’ll Love These Bars

✔ No rolling out pie crust – The shortbread base is press-in easy!
✔ Faster than traditional pecan pie – Ready in under an hour.
✔ Perfect for sharing – Great for parties, gifts, or meal prep.

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Final Thoughts

These Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars are the ultimate dessert hack—delicious, fuss-free, and irresistibly decadent. Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe guarantees a crowd-pleasing treat every time.

Happy baking! 🍪✨