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!

Nutriscore Rating: 39/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 16

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Mix in the vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour, mixing until a crumbly dough forms.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Stir in the pecans, coating them evenly with the caramel mixture. Pour the mixture over the baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 8

Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool for 15 minutes.

Step 9

While the bars are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between intervals, until smooth.

Step 10

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel pecan layer. Optionally, sprinkle sea salt over the top for a touch of savory contrast.

Step 11

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator to set completely, about 1-2 hours.

Step 12

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

Serving size	(1326.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6094.7

Total Fat 334.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 137.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 347.7mg	0%
Sodium 1934.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 759.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.7g	0%
Total Sugars 493.6g
Protein 63.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 535.7mg	0%
Iron 24.1mg	0%
Potassium 2183.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 4.0%

Carbs: 48.2%