Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat with these irresistible Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars. Featuring a buttery, golden crust, a gooey caramel-pecan filling, and a luscious drizzle of semisweet chocolate, these bars strike the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch, these bars are as visually stunning as they are delicious. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this dessert is surprisingly easy to make, yet sophisticated enough to wow at parties, holiday gatherings, or as a decadent snack. Perfectly portioned into 16 servings, these bars are ideal for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups pecan halves
- 14 ounces soft caramels
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Mix in the vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Prick the surface with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while preparing the caramel layer.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the soft caramels and heavy cream. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the caramels are fully melted and smooth.
Stir in the pecans, coating them evenly with the caramel mixture. Pour the mixture over the baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool for 15 minutes.
While the bars are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between intervals, until smooth.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel pecan layer. Optionally, sprinkle sea salt over the top for a touch of savory contrast.
Let the bars cool completely at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator to set completely, about 1-2 hours.
Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and slice into 16 squares or rectangles. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6095 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 334.5 g | 429% | |
| Saturated Fat | 137.0 g | 685% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 348 mg | 116% | |
| Sodium | 1935 mg | 84% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 759.3 g | 276% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 38.7 g | 138% | |
| Total Sugars | 493.6 g | ||
| Protein | 63.2 g | 126% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 536 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 24.1 mg | 134% | |
| Potassium | 2183 mg | 46% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
