This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
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.
Gloria Bruce says
I can’t wait to try the chocolate carmel pecan shortbread, $ of my favs roled into one easy sounding recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Cynthia Forrest says
Bread pudding is the ultimate!
angie lilly says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/141508699649880064
angie lilly says
My favorite holiday dessert for Thanksgiving is pumpkin roll…mmmmm! For Christmas its frosted sugar cookies!!!! yummers!
Sandy Oldfield says
hands down, my mother in law’s recipe for “drunken” punkin pie, incorporating rum, sherry and brandy!
Miguelina Salvador says
My favorite Thanksgiving dessert is flan, punkin pie.
babitababita@hotmail.com
Denise Loring says
This looks wonderful! I love Pecan Pie and Chocolate so this looks to be the best of both. Can’t wait to get the pecans and try this.
Jammie says
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mommysdizzy/status/141016894470766592
Jammie says
My favorite Thanksgiving dessert would be pumpkin cheesecake. yummy sweepmorey at gmail dot com
Jessica says
cheesecake!
grandmajohnnie says
Favorite dessert – fudge! Always head for that on the dessert trays. I love making it, have a mom and sister-in-laws that make fabulous fudge. Just a hit for me.
ally says
My favorite holiday dessert is my Mom’s cutout sugar cookies–so light and thin–they are perfect!
Pat O. says
Pumpkin Pie is my all time and anytime favorite.
Cindi says
Sweet potato pie is my favorite but these look yummy
Christy Bemrose says
I think good ol pumpkin pie! It’s simple but so yummy!! Loaded with whip cream of course : )