Description
Rich chocolate and caramel pecan pie bark blends Southern dessert traditions with easy-to-make holiday treats. Crunchy pecans and silky chocolate create a delightful snack you’ll crave during festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers)
- 1 cup (226 g/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, lightly greasing the surface. Meticulously arrange saltine crackers to create a uniform foundation covering the entire sheet.
- Toffee Creation: In a saucepan over medium heat, transform butter, brown sugar, and salt into a luxurious toffee. Stir consistently until the mixture erupts into a rolling boil, maintaining a gentle bubble for exactly 3 minutes. Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, developing a glossy caramel-like texture.
- Assembly and Baking: Pour the molten toffee uniformly across the cracker base, using a spatula to ensure complete coverage. Sprinkle chopped pecans generously, creating a textural landscape. Slide the sheet into a preheated 350F (175C) oven, allowing the toffee to bubble and pecans to toast to a golden perfection over 8-10 minutes.
- Chocolate Finishing: Immediately after removing from the oven, scatter chocolate chips across the hot surface. Let them melt naturally for 2-3 minutes, then smooth into a seamless chocolate layer using a spatula.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the bark to cool completely at room temperature or accelerate the process by refrigerating. Once fully set, fracture into irregular, rustic pieces ready for delightful consumption.
Notes
- Cracker Placement Precision: Arrange saltine crackers edge-to-edge without overlapping to ensure even toffee coating and consistent texture.
- Toffee Temperature Control: Monitor butter and sugar mixture closely, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve perfect caramel consistency without scorching.
- Nut Distribution Strategy: Sprinkle pecans immediately after pouring toffee for maximum adherence and to create a professional, evenly covered surface.
- Chocolate Melting Technique: Let chocolate chips sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes after removing from oven, allowing residual heat to melt them naturally before spreading for a smooth, glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 267
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg