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I’m often found in the kitchen talking to myself. I like to think it makes me “cute” instead of “crazy.” My husband, however, doesn’t let me hold on to that illusion for long. I get some pretty strange looks and, if we’re being honest, a few eye-rolls every now and then.
I can’t help it. I talk when I cook. If no one else is around, then I’ll just talk to myself. I’m a pretty cool girl! I say interesting things! I have some great conversations with me!
I’m sorry. I think my weird may be starting to show. Whoops!
Anyway, one of the things I often converse with myself about is my need for a double oven. This conversation (between me and me) definitely happens more frequently around the holidays. Yes, I’d like a double oven all year round, but at the holidays, it really turns from a want to a need.
Let’s talk food. This Thanksgiving, I’m sure I’ll be making quite a bit of food; while I don’t know for sure what all I’ll make, I do know that these will be on the menu.
Traditional pecan pie is total Thanskgiving food, right? This year, I’m changing things up. Traditional is boring. Let’s live a little.
These bars have a simple shortbread crust, a layer of melted chocolate, and the yummiest, most gooey, caramel pecan topping you can imagine. They pretty much taste like heaven and are beyond simple to make. These took me about 5 minutes to prepare and are just about impossible to screw up. The recipe doubles easily, too!
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Shortbread Bars
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
For the pecan topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce ice cream topping
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer beat together the flour, sugar, and butter until it is a coarse, crumbly mixture.
- Dump the mixture into an ungreased 8x8 baking dish and press to form the bottom crust.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- While the shortbread is baking, beat together the egg, brown sugar, caramel sauce, and pecans. Set aside.
- After 20 minutes remove the shortbread from the oven and sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Wait 1-2 minutes for the chocolate chips to soften and then spread them gently with an off-set spatula to cover the shortbread crust.
- Pour the pecan mixture on top of the chocolate.
- Return to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the pecan mixture is set.
- Remove from the oven and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent the bars from sticking to the side of the baking dish. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.
sleepphl says
These look amazing! Would go great with my favorite pumpkin pie made by my mother-in-law.
Joyce Raymond says
My fave dessert? That’s not fair, there are so many. I would have to say warm Pecan Pie and Breyers Vanilla Bean ice cream…yummmmm!
Suzanne says
My grandmother’s recipe for pecan pie. This will be our first Thanksgiving without her.
Rachel says
My favorite holiday dessert would be home made fudge followed by chocolate bark covered ritz sandwiches with peanut butter in the middle. All of these are made at home. I should make some this year.
Lisa Peterson says
My Grandmother used to make something similar with walnuts. Thanks for taking my taste buds on a trip down memory lane!
Jen says
I tweeted about the giveaway! Here’s the twitter URL https://twitter.com/#!/RunningWTG/status/139462719228227585
Jen says
My favorite holiday dessert is now the Chocolate Carmel Pecan Shortbread Bars! You sold me.
Sandy says
Wow those bars look yummy! I love Razzleberry pie for dessert.
kelly says
My favorite holiday dessert….my mom’s raspberry jello dessert with pretzel crust and whipped cream/cream cheese frosting. So good!!!
Denise B says
I make Almond Brittle every year and it is my family’s favorite!
milcah says
oh my this definitely looks/sounds (reads) like something I want to try. I’ve bookmarked the page!
Maribeth Cruz says
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie!!!! For some reason it tastes even better during the holidays! I can’t wait =)
Kristin Gundry Cooke says
Oh these look so delicious… I can’t wait to bake them next week! I’m starting the holiday baking early.
Fiddledeedee says
My favorite holiday dessert is my own Death by Chocolate Cake. Worth every calorie.
Krystal R says
Pecan Pie is my fave dessert! I could just skip the whole dinner and have Pecan Pie! ๐