Best 5 Chewy Caramel Pecan Bars Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Chewy Caramel Pecan Bars, a harmonious blend of sweet, nutty, and buttery goodness. Each bite of these luscious bars tantalizes your taste buds with a chewy, gooey caramel center, generously topped with crunchy pecan halves, all nestled in a buttery shortbread crust. But that's not all; this comprehensive article also offers two additional irresistible recipes for pecan bar variations. For those who prefer a chocolatey twist, our Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars are a delightful treat, featuring a rich chocolate chip-studded filling. And for a touch of tangy citrus, our Lemon Pecan Bars burst with zesty lemon flavor, perfectly balanced by the sweet caramel and nutty pecans. Whether you're a fan of classic caramel, indulgent chocolate, or refreshing lemon, these recipes have something for every palate. So, let's embark on a culinary journey and create these irresistible pecan bar masterpieces.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHEWY CARAMEL BARS



Chewy Caramel Bars image

From Harbor Beach, Michigan, Debra Davidson-Cregeur shares one of her favorite recipes. She writes, "There are always requests for this recipe wherever it goes!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
1 can (5 ounces) evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped nuts
36 Rolo candies, halved

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, milk and butter until blended (batter will be thick). Stir in nuts. Press half of mixture into a 13x9-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. , Place candies, cut side down, over crust. Drop remaining batter by tablespoonfuls over the top. Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 173 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 177mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES



Pecan Shortbread Squares image

With a buttery shortbread crust and rich caramel-pecan topping, these pecan squares make a wonderful potluck dessert for the holidays.

Provided by Jennifer Segal

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 16 ({2-inch|5-cm}) squares

Number Of Ingredients 12

¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
¼ cup cornstarch
½ cup Confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Generous pinch salt
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
3 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Push foil neatly into corners and up sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure it overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from pan). Spray foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Place the flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar and salt in a bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size clumps of butter within. It will seem dry; that's okay. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers into an even layer over the bottom. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the refrigerator, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the crust until crust is set but not browned, about 17 minutes. Set on rack to cool. Leave oven on.
  • In a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and boil gently for 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and chopped pecans.
  • Pour pecan mixture over crust (it's fine if the crust is still warm). Bake until filling is bubbling and caramel in color, about 20 minutes. Cool completely on rack. To cut, use the foil overhang to lift baked square out of pan and onto cutting board. Loosen the foil from the edges, then cut with a sharp knife into 2-inch squares. Store finished pecan squares in air-tight container and serve at room temperature.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: These can be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap with the layers separated by wax or parchment paper. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357, Fat 29 g, Carbohydrate 26 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sugar 18 g, Fiber 2 g, Sodium 88 mg, Cholesterol 41 mg

PECAN CHEWIES



Pecan Chewies image

Pecans, brown sugar and butter makes for a chewy soft treat good anytime of the year.

Provided by Tonya

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 6

¾ cup butter
3 cups packed light brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups chopped pecans
3 cups self-rising flour

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan, or for thinner bars, use a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • Stir the eggs and vanilla into the brown sugar and butter. Mix in the chopped pecans, and then the flour. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323.6 calories, Carbohydrate 40.8 g, Cholesterol 38.5 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 255.8 mg, Sugar 27.5 g

CHEWY PECAN BARS



Chewy Pecan Bars image

When you've got your hands full with cleaning, you don't have time for a full-on dessert stop. But these pecan bars will tempt you and "hit the spot," in addition to making an incredible snack-pack treat when you're on the go. Scrumptious brown sugar and chocolate are ooey, gooey, and satisfying, and they're the perfect reward for a day of hard work.

Yield makes 36 squares

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 packed cups light-brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon table salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups pecans, toasted, roughly chopped
1 cup mini-chocolate chips

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving 2 inches of overhang to use as handles to remove the bars at the end of baking.
  • Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Cream together the butter and light-brown sugar, using a hand mixer, in a separate, large bowl, until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Gradually pour in the dry mixture, and beat until the dough looks like coarse, pea-sized lumps. Use your hands to form the dough into a ball, then transfer it to your prepared baking pan and press down evenly to fill the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  • To make the filling: Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, flour, bourbon, vanilla, salt, eggs, pecans, and chocolate chips in a large bowl. Remove the hot half-baked dough from the oven, and spread the filling over the crust. Return the pan to the oven, and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the top is puffed and brown and cracks begin to form (like a pecan-pie topping). Let cool for 45 minutes before slicing into squares.

CHEWY CARAMEL PECAN BARS



Chewy Caramel Pecan Bars image

Categories     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Tree Nut     Pecan     Winter     Gourmet

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 1/4 cups pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and butter and flour a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan, knocking out excess.
  • Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 tablespoon vanilla and eggs. Sift in flour with salt and baking powder and beat until just blended.
  • Spoon batter into pan, spreading it evenly, and bake in middle of oven until it pulls away slightly from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, 20 to 30 minutes. Cool base completely in pan on a rack.
  • Bring granulated sugar, corn syrup, a pinch of salt, and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Continue to boil mixture, without stirring, until it turns a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and carefully add cream and remaining 1/2 tablespoon vanilla (mixture will bubble up and steam). Return pan to moderate heat and cook, stirring until smooth. Stir in pecans and immediately pour mixture over base, tilting baking pan and spreading evenly.
  • Cool mixture completely in pan on rack and cut into bars.

Tips:

  • Use a heavy saucepan. This will help to prevent the caramel from burning.
  • Cook the caramel until it reaches a deep amber color. This will ensure that it has a rich flavor.
  • Don't overcook the caramel. If you do, it will become hard and brittle.
  • Stir the caramel constantly while it is cooking. This will help to prevent it from burning.
  • Let the caramel cool slightly before pouring it over the pecans. This will help to prevent the pecans from burning.
  • Press the pecans into the caramel firmly. This will help to ensure that they stay in place.
  • Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help to prevent them from crumbling.

Conclusion:

Chewy caramel pecan bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a snack. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy these delicious bars. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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