Best Caramel Pecan Bars Recipe | Easy and Delicious

Sink your teeth into the ultimate indulgence with these Caramel Pecan Bars. A luscious blend of buttery crust, toasted pecans, sweet caramel, and melted chocolate, these bars are the perfect treat to satisfy any sweet craving. Whether you’re whipping them up for a party or as an afternoon snack, these bars will disappear fast!

The Best Caramel Pecan Bars Recipe

Why settle for ordinary when you can enjoy a rich, decadent dessert with minimal effort? Caramel Pecan Bars are everything you love about a classic pecan pie but in an easier, more shareable form. With just six ingredients, you’ll have a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.

Notes on Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the crust, giving the bars their structure.
• Brown sugar: Adds depth and a subtle molasses flavor, balancing the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate.
• Butter: Cold butter is key to creating a crumbly, buttery crust.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans offer a nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth caramel.
• Caramel ice cream topping: Using a jarred caramel sauce saves time without sacrificing flavor. Smucker’s brand works perfectly for this.
• Milk chocolate chips: A layer of melted milk chocolate adds a creamy sweetness that rounds out the flavors.

How to Make Caramel Pecan Bars

1. Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture into an ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish.
2. Add the Pecans and Caramel: Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the crust. Drizzle the warmed caramel topping over the pecans, ensuring even coverage.
3. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bars for 15-20 minutes or until the caramel starts bubbling and becomes fragrant.
4. Top with Chocolate: After removing the bars from the oven, immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Allow the heat to slightly melt the chocolate, then spread it over the caramel layer.
5. Cool and Set: Let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 6 hours or refrigerate for faster setting. Cut into 24 squares once fully set.

How to Serve Caramel Pecan Bars

Serve these bars at room temperature for the perfect balance of gooey caramel and soft chocolate. They’re ideal for dessert platters, lunchbox treats, or even as a festive party dessert. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!

How to Store Caramel Pecan Bars

To store, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the fridge where they’ll last up to a week. If you want to make them ahead of time, they freeze well for up to 2 months—just thaw them in the fridge overnight.

FAQs About Caramel Pecan Bars

The Best Caramel Pecan Bars Recipe

These Caramel Pecan Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a rich layer of warm caramel, crunchy pecans, and a smooth topping of melted chocolate. Perfect for parties, afternoon snacks, or special occasions, these decadent bars are easy to make with just a few ingredients. The sweet caramel melds beautifully with the nutty pecans, while the milk chocolate adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you're looking for a crowd-pleaser or a simple treat for yourself, these bars deliver an indulgent bite in every square.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Additional Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 bars

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup cold butter
• 1 and 1/2 cups pecans chopped
• 1 jar 12 oz caramel ice cream topping, warmed – I used Smucker’s brand
• 1 bag 11.5 oz milk chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in x 2-in. baking dish. Top with pecans. Drizzle caramel topping evenly over pecans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until caramel is bubbly. Place on a wire rack. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes or until chocolate has melted slightly and is spreadable. Spread melted chocolate over caramel layer. Cool at room temperature for at least 6 hours or until chocolate is set. Want them to set faster? Place them in the fridge or freezer to harden and set faster. Cut into 2 dozen bars.

Keyword Caramel, Chocolate, pecan