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    Home » Dessert » Caramel Pecan Bars Recipe

    Caramel Pecan Bars Recipe

    Published: Nov 11, 2019 · Modified: Sep 23, 2020 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Caramel Pecan Bars are a delicious replacement for pecan pie. These bars are packed with caramel and pecans and are easier than pie to make so you can get to enjoying them quicker!

    Three caramel pecan bars stacked

    Why This Recipe Works

    Are you a pie lover or a hater? If you’re anything like me, you love eating pie but don’t love making it. One of these years I have to get on board with the pie-making process, but for now I make easy versions of pie as replacements.

    And usually, in my opinion, they taste even better than pie! These caramel pecan bars are easy to make and I cannot even describe how delicious they are.

    My best description: the perfect amount of caramel holding a cluster of delicious pecans together, with a perfect shortbread crust. These bars are danger-zone caliber, friends.

    They either go in the freezer, they’re shared at a holiday gathering or they are in my belly. In an effort to slow down the growth of my behind, I usually only make these for holidays when I know they will get devoured.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Pecan halves – Roasting the pecans in advance of the bars baking will give the bars a little more flavor.

    Heavy cream – This helps to bind and thicken all the ingredients into the delicious caramely pie-like-bars with the help of brown sugar.

    Flour, honey, brown sugar, unsalted butter, salt

    How To Make Caramel Pecan Bars

    Make The Crust

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.

    Step 2: Combine flour, brown sugar and 8 Tbsp melted butter. Beat at medium speed until fine crumbs form.

     Close up of crumbly shortbread ingredients

    Press into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes.

     Caramel ingredients in saucepan ready to cook

    Make The Topping

    Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine the 3/4 cup butter, brown sugar, honey and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring, until bubbly and thickened. This will take 6-7 minutes.

    Step 2: Add the cream and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer inserted in the caramel registers at 240 degrees F (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the pecans.

     hand holding thermapen in a pan of boiling caramel

    Step 3: Pour the caramel sauce over the crust, spreading it evenly. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is bubbly. Let cool completely. Cut into bars and serve.

    Recipe Notes

    • The bars can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
    • Because these bars are sticky, getting them out of the pan can be tricky. For best results, line the baking pan with parchment paper or lightly greased foil and carefully transfer the bars to a flat surface or cutting board by pulling up on the parchment paper once they have cooled.
    • Mix the crust ingredients with a spoon or in a food processor. Either way, the mixture should have a crumbly appearance.
    • To turn this into a chocolatey treat, add a layer of chocolate chips over the layer of caramel just before baking.
    • Dust the tops of the bars with powdered sugar after they have cooled for an extra punch of sweetness and to make them prettier!
     Top view of caramel pecan bars cut into squares

    Can You Freeze Caramel Pecan Bars

    Yes! Wrap tightly in foil and/or place in a plastic freezer bag. Seal tightly and freeze. Use within 3 months for best results. When you are ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw completely in the fridge or at room temperature.

    Do I Need A Candy Thermometer For This Recipe

    I strongly recommend using a thermometer to determine the appropriate cooking time for the caramel. Using a thermometer like a Thermapen (<– affiliate link) is ideal because it allows you to take a quick and accurate temperature reading so you can keep stirring (and avoid burning the caramel).

    I LOVE my Thermapen!

    If you’d like to try achieving the caramel soft ball stage with a thermometer, allowing the caramel to boil for 10 minutes after the cream is added is a good time frame to shoot for.

     close up of caramel pecan bars with the pan in background

    FAQ About Pecans

    Are pecans good for you?

    Pecans are good for you as they offer protein, healthy fats and fiber. Most of the fat in a pecan are healthy fat or monosaturated. Pecans also boast offering potassium, magnesium and calcium.

    Can pecans go bad?

    Yes, pecans can go bad. They might have a rancid, bitter or unpleasant taste. They are good in the pantry for about 6-12 months and 18 mos or so in the fridge.

    Can pecans be frozen?

    Yes, you can freeze plain pecans for about 2 years in an air tight container.

    How do you roast pecans?

    Preheat a cast iron pan on medium heat and add a single layer of pecan halves to the pan, stirring for about 3-5 minutes.

    Will pecans raise your blood sugar?

    Your blood sugar will not be raised by eating unsalted, dry roasted pecans. Pecans can slow the way the body absorbs carbohydrates, which leads to lower blood glucose. Pecans added to desserts and snacks will have additional ingredients that will change the healthy benefits of this nut.

    Other Delicious Desserts For The Holidays

    • Easy Apple Pie Bars are the EASY version of Apple Pie! The beauty of this dessert is that they fit into your fingers, no fork required and the filling is homemade with your freshly picked apples.
    • The Best Carrot Cake you’ll ever eat! It is moist, flavorful, perfectly spiced and topped with an irresistible cream cheese frosting that will knock your socks off.
    • Coconut Cream Pie is a classic, dreamy dessert that will WOW guests at any gathering. A creamy filling is topped with homemade whipped cream and perfectly toasted coconut flakes!
    • Pecan Pie Bars – Introducing you to Pecan Pie with a fraction of the effort! Pecan Pie Bars are a hit at Thanksgiving gatherings or any other time of the year!

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Caramel Pecan Bars

    Caramel Pecan Bars are a delicious replacement for pecan pie. These bars are packed with caramel and pecans and are easier than pie!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 30
    Calories: 412.78kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    Crust

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 8 tbsp salted butter melted

    Topping

    • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup honey
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 cups pecan halves

    Instructions

    Make the Crust

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.
    • Combine flour, brown sugar and butter. Beat at medium speed until fine crumbs form. Press into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes.

    Make the Topping

    • In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring, until bubbly and thickened. This will take 6-7 minutes. Add the cream and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer inserted in the caramel registers at 240 degrees F (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the pecans.
    • Pour the filling over the crust, spreading it evenly. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is bubbly. Let cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.

    Notes

    • The bars can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
    • Because these bars are sticky, getting them out of the pan can be tricky. For best results, line the baking pan with parchment paper or lightly greased foil and carefully transfer the bars to a flat surface or cutting board by pulling up on the parchment paper once they have cooled.
    • Mix the crust ingredients with a spoon or in a food processor. Either way, the mixture should have a crumbly appearance.
    • To turn this into a chocolatey treat, add a layer of chocolate chips over the layer of caramel just before baking.
    • Dust the tops of the bars with powdered sugar after they have cooled for an extra punch of sweetness and to make them prettier!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 412.78kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.15g | Protein: 2.04g | Fat: 35.55g | Saturated Fat: 19.49g | Cholesterol: 82.18mg | Sodium: 104.1mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 16.99g
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat

      March 06, 2022 at 2:20 am

      Can I substitute almond silk milk . I am lactose intolerant? Pat

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        March 07, 2022 at 9:51 am

        Hi Pat, I have never tried baking with Almond milk. I see online it’s a pretty common substitution. I would imagine it would work just fine but please let me know if you try it.

        Reply
    2. Melanie Littlejohn

      October 19, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      These were very tasty, and really quite easy to make. I will be making them again and adding a bit more salt to the caramel topping – not a criticism, just a preference.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        October 20, 2021 at 4:10 pm

        Salted caramel is very delicious and I wholeheartedly agree with that idea. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Laura

      August 23, 2020 at 8:59 pm

      These look delicious. I have a batch in the oven now, and they smell amazing! I have one question, however. The ingredient list for the filling call for “3/4 cup sticks unsalted butter”. Based on the narrative above the recipe, I’m fairly certain you meant “3/4 cup unsalted butter”, but I wanted to be certain and ask you. 3/4 cup butter = 1 1/2 sticks =. 12 Tablespoons, while 3/4 stick butter = 6 Tablespoons. Please clarify. Twice the butter can’t be all bad, but it might mess with the texture.

      Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        August 24, 2020 at 2:21 pm

        Fixed! Thank you for pointing that out. I hope you loved your bars!

        Reply

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