Caramel Pecan Bars | My Baking Habit

A buttery crust and a layer of gooey caramel studded with pecans and chocolate chips make these caramel pecan bars one irresistible dessert.

I first made these caramel pecan bars virtually 10 years in the past. They have been one of many first issues I baked after shifting into our previous home, and the recipe nonetheless holds a particular place in my coronary heart.

And why wouldn’t it? We love each caramel and pecans round right here – my salted caramel sauce and candied pecans are two of my very favourite issues. So a recipe that mixes the 2 elements is certain to be successful.

Basic pecan bars are at all times a favourite across the holidays. However these caramel pecan bars change issues up a bit and provides the previous standby a twist that I believe you’ll love.

I’ve a sense you’re gonna need to whip these up for your whole cookie exchanges this yr.

Why you’ll love these caramel pecan bars

Caramel pecan bars are like if strawberry oatmeal bars or fig bars obtained a comfy winter makeover. Hear me out!

These bars have a buttery oat crust that additionally serves as a crumbly topping. In between the layers is a filling of ooey gooey caramel, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans.

I imply, c’mon. 

In case you love salted caramel chocolate chip cookies or salted caramel blondies, you’ll fall in love with the bits of melty chocolate speckled all through the wealthy caramel filling. Add within the crunchy, nutty pecans and it’ll be superb if you happen to can cease at simply considered one of these little bars. 

And like all of our favourite bar desserts, you’ll be able to minimize them into as many items as you want, making this the proper recipe to make for vacation gatherings, cookie exchanges, or soccer watch events.

Methods to make caramel pecan bars

These caramel pecan bars are fairly straightforward to throw collectively, in order that they’re an important possibility once you want a last-minute deal with to take someplace. Actually, the toughest half is unwrapping the caramels!

Elements you’ll want

To make these gooey, nutty bars, you’ll need:

• 1 (11-ounce) bag individually wrapped caramels
• 5 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups packed mild brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ¼ cups melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup chopped pecans

An 11-ounce bag is about 35 caramels. You have to to unwrap them; that is truthfully the a part of the recipe that can take you the longest.

If unwrapping particular person caramels just isn’t accessible for you otherwise you merely don’t have the time, you should utilize an 11-ounce bag of Kraft Caramel Bits as a substitute. 

Earlier than you begin baking, be sure you know how one can measure flour appropriately. It will assist your caramel pecan bars end up excellent each time.

In case you begin baking and notice you’re out of brown sugar or yours hardened within the pantry, don’t panic. You can also make a easy brown sugar substitute, and I’ve an entire put up with ideas for how one can soften brown sugar. 

Making these bars

These caramel pecan bars are baked in a 9×13-inch pan. Line the pan with foil, ensuring to go away some extending previous the perimeters of the pan, and spray it with nonstick spray.

To make the bars, begin by melting the caramels and the heavy cream over low warmth. Stir often till clean. Put aside.

In a big bowl, add the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk this collectively, then add the melted butter and the vanilla, stirring till mixed.

Press half of the crust combination into the underside of the ready pan. Bake the crust at 350°F for 8 minutes.

When the crust comes out of the oven, sprinkle on the chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Pour the caramel excessive.

Take the remainder of the crust combination and crumble it excessive of the caramel. Bake the bars for one more 13-Quarter-hour, till the crust is golden.

Let the caramel pecan bars cool fully. As soon as they’ve cooled, pop them into the fridge for a few hours to make them simpler to chop.