Introduction
There are so many wonderful ways of treating yourself and this Caramel Chocolate Pecan Bar deserves a spot among them. It has an amazing buttery shortbread base with gooey caramel, chocolate and pecans, combining perfectly to make the most perfect dessert. Whether you want to impress your guests or simply spoil yourself, these bars will definitely not disappoint.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 100 grams of granulated sugar
- 225 grams of softened unsalted butter
For the Caramel Layer:
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk which is around 396 grams.
- 100 grams of brown sugar.
- 120 grams of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- Vanilla extract to taste
For Topping
- Chopped semi-sweet or milk chocolate, 175 grams or chocolate chips.
- Chopped Pecans with weight of 75 grams
Instructions:
Preparing Shortbread Base:
Set the Temperature of your oven to 350F and grease your 9×13 inch Pyrex dish. Now blend the butter, sugar and flour in a single bowl together until they achieve a crumbly appearance. Its time to put the mixture inside the prepared dish. Place it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes so it can become golden. Once the timer finishes let it cool down.
Making the Caramel Layer:
Get a saucepan and place the mixture of unsweetened condensed milk along with brown sugar, butter and corn syrup.
Heat over medium-low while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and attains a light shade of golden, which takes around 10 minutes.
Once thoroughly mixed, take the mixture out of the heater and stir in some vanilla extract.
Layer it up:
Now, pour the caramel sauce evenly over the base made up of shortbread and then cool the mixture.
Now, while the caramel is still warm, add some chunks of chocolate or use chips instead, the partial melting will give it a great taste and aroma.
Sprinkle some chopped pecans over the chocolate layer.
Prepare it and Serve it:
You can refrigerate the bars until they become hard or maintain room temperature, allowing them to cool down.
Cut them into bars or pieces, whichever you prefer the most.
Hints for Success:
Always stir the caramel to avoid it from burning.
Slices can be cut smoothly using a sharp knife dipped into warm water.
To use tempered chocolate on top of the bars will not only make them look more appealing but shinier too.
Health Benefits:
Due to dark chocolate and pecans, the bars do contain an abundance of antioxidants.
There is a surge of carbohydrates in both the caramel and shortbread, hence giving a quick energy boost.
Pecans: Offer a source of healthy fats along with multiple vitamins.
Nutritional Information (Each Servings: Roughly One Bar):
Calories: Approximately 250 kcal
Protein: Roughly 3 grams
Fat: Roughly 15 grams
Carbohydrates: Roughly 28 grams
Fiber: Roughly 1 gram
Variations and Substitutions:
If walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts are to your liking, they can be used as a substitute for pecans.
White or dark chocolate can be applied for a different style.
Salted caramel bars can be made by adding a bit of sea salt into the caramel mix.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Is there a room for making this treat in advance? Yes, these bars can be placed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and will keep perfectly.
- Is it possible to freeze them? Yes, they can be frozen completely. Make sure to wrap them tightly and freeze them up to 2 months.
- Is there anything I can use in place of corn syrup? For best results, honey or golden syrup can be used for similar consistency.
Conclusion:
Rich in flavors and a mix of many textures, these Caramel Chocolate Pecan Bars are a very delicious dessert that will leave you craving for more. They are great to try for special occasions or just as a guilty pleasure. They are quite entertaining to make as much as they are to eat. Order some today and enjoy every spoonful!
