Decadent Caramel Pecan Chocolate Dream Bars
Indulge in the exquisite layers of flavor with these Decadent Caramel Pecan Chocolate Dream Bars. A delicious base of buttery, crumbly crust is topped with roasted pecans and an irresistible caramel sauce made from brown sugar and butter, then finished off with a generous layer of melted chocolate chips. Perfect for sharing at parties, celebrations, or simply enjoying as a delightful treat, these bars combine the rich nuttiness of pecans with the luscious sweetness of caramel and chocolate. Bake a batch to elevate your dessert game and impress your friends and family!
24
Servings
150
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
2 cups (all-purpose)
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups (packed, divided)
Butter
1 1/4 cups (room temperature, divided)
Pecans
1 cup (chopped)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
Chocolate Chips
1-2 cups (semi-sweet or dark)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
3
Evenly press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
4
Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the crust.
5
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 3/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
6
Once boiling, continue to stir and cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
7
Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture over the crust and pecans, ensuring even coverage.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, but keep a close eye to avoid overbaking as you want it slightly gooey.
9
Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle the melted chocolate chips on top. Use a spatula or butter knife to spread them evenly once they begin to melt.
10
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Enjoy your delicious dessert!
Nutrition Information
8.8g
Fat
18.8g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Caramel Pecan Chocolate Dream Bars?
They are a layered dessert bar featuring a buttery crust, pecans, homemade caramel sauce, and a chocolate topping.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 24 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan is required?
You should use a 9x13 inch baking pan.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
The pan should be lightly greased before adding the crust mixture.
What are the ingredients for the crust?
The crust consists of 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of butter.
How do I mix the crust ingredients?
Mix the flour, brown sugar, and butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
What kind of flour should be used?
All-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe.
When do I add the pecans to the recipe?
Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the crust before the caramel is added and before baking.
How do I make the caramel sauce?
Combine 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
How long should the caramel mixture boil?
Once it reaches a boil, continue to stir and cook the mixture for exactly 1 minute.
How is the caramel sauce applied to the bars?
Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture over the prepared crust and pecans, ensuring even coverage.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 20 minutes, watching closely to ensure they remain slightly gooey.
When should I add the chocolate chips?
Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top immediately after removing the pan from the oven.
How do I spread the chocolate chips?
Use a spatula or butter knife to spread the chips evenly once they begin to melt from the heat of the bars.
What type of chocolate chips can I use?
You can use between 1 and 2 cups of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
How long should the bars cool?
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
How many calories are in one bar?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 8.8g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count for these bars?
There are 18.8g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each bar?
Each bar contains approximately 1.5g of protein.
Does the brown sugar need to be packed?
Yes, the 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar should be packed.
What state should the butter be in?
The butter should be at room temperature for the best results.
Can I use pure vanilla extract?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The pecans should be chopped before being added to the recipe.
Are these bars suitable for parties?
Yes, they are described as perfect for sharing at parties, celebrations, or as a delightful treat.
What texture should the crust mixture have?
The crust mixture should resemble fine crumbs before being pressed into the pan.
What is the total amount of butter used?
The recipe uses a total of 1 1/4 cups of butter, divided between the crust and the caramel.
What category of dessert is this?
This recipe is categorized as a Bar Cookie.
Can I use a different type of nut?
While the recipe calls for pecans, you could substitute other nuts like walnuts, though it will change the flavor profile.