Description
Indulgent Caramel Pecan Dream Bars blend rich, buttery layers of shortbread with golden caramel and toasted pecans. Delicate crumbles and sweet nutty notes create a memorable dessert that delights chocolate and pastry lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml/12 fl oz) pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup (240 g/8 oz) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (240 g/8 oz) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup (30 g/1 oz) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (57 g/2 oz) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhangs for easy removal.
- Create Crust: Blend flour, butter, powdered sugar, and salt until achieving a sandy, cohesive texture. Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan, forming a compact base layer.
- Initial Baking: Slide pan into a preheated 350°F oven and bake until edges turn golden, approximately 15-18 minutes.
- Craft Caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid that bubbles gently.
- Finish Caramel Topping: Remove from heat and fold in vanilla extract, salt, and chopped pecans. Stir until ingredients harmonize completely.
- Final Baking: Pour caramel-pecan mixture over the slightly cooled crust, ensuring an even distribution. Return to oven and bake until topping bubbles and caramelizes to a rich golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance slicing precision. Use parchment paper handles to remove, then slice into elegant squares. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled, revealing layers of buttery crust and nutty caramel perfection.
Notes
- Ensure Even Crust Texture: Press the crumbly base mixture firmly and uniformly to prevent uneven baking and create a stable foundation for the caramel layer.
- Monitor Caramel Carefully: Watch the caramel mixture closely while cooking to prevent burning; stir consistently and remove from heat once it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Chop Pecans Strategically: Roughly chop pecans into similar-sized pieces to distribute them evenly and ensure consistent texture throughout the bars.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to help set the caramel and make clean, precise cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg