Caramel Pecan Bars: A Delightful Treat for Sweet Lovers
A buttery crust topped with gooey caramel, pecans, and chocolate chips makes these caramel pecan bars an irresistible dessert, perfect for any occasion.
I made these caramel pecan bars almost a decade ago, and they remain one of my cherished recipes. The combination of caramel and pecans is simply delightful, making them a favorite in my household.
While classic pecan bars are beloved during the holidays, these caramel pecan bars offer a delicious twist that will surely become a holiday favorite.
Why You’ll Love These Caramel Pecan Bars
Imagine a delightful blend of buttery crust, rich caramel, and crunchy pecans. These bars bring a winter vibe to traditional treats like strawberry oatmeal or fig bars.
You won’t be able to resist the bits of melted chocolate mixed within the caramel, coupled with the nuttiness of pecans—it’s hard to stop at just one!
Perfect for gatherings or cookie exchanges, these bars are easily portioned, making them a hit year-round.
How to Make Caramel Pecan Bars
Whipping up these bars is a breeze. The most time-consuming task is unwrapping the caramels! Here’s everything you’ll need to get started.
Ingredients 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 light 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
If unwrapping caramels isn’t feasible, consider using unwrapped caramel bits for ease.
Making These Bars
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with foil and spraying it with nonstick spray.
Melt the caramels and cream in a saucepan over low heat until smooth, then set aside. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter and vanilla until combined.
Press half the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 8 minutes. Once out, sprinkle with chocolate chips and pecans, pour over the caramel, and crumble the remaining mixture on top.
Bake for another 13-15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool, refrigerate for easier cutting, and serve!
Storage Tips
Store your caramel pecan bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If stored at room temperature, the caramel might soften.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Individually wrapped caramels | 1 (11-ounce) bag |
| Heavy cream | 5 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Rolled oats | 2 cups |
| Light brown sugar | 1 ½ cups |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Kosher salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Melted unsalted butter | 1 ¼ cups |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Semi-sweet chocolate chips | ½ cup |
| Chopped pecans | ¾ cup |
