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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.
Jessica says
I’m going to have to make these for breakfast!
For our holiday faves: Pumplin Bread starts the fall holidays and for Christmas I love a hand-dipped peanut butter ball/truffle. We only make them during Christmas and they’re gone in an hour… YUM!
Yene K says
Gurl! I talk to myself when I cook too! I’m glad I’m not the only crazy…er…cute cook out there! Lol!!
I LOVE pecan pie as my fave holiday dessert as well as anything cranberry. Delish!!
Stefanie says
My tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/stefaniepidgeon/status/134789724312313856
Stefanie says
My favorite holiday dessert is pecan pie. It’s the only time of year I enjoy it!
RebeccaSE says
My favorite holiday dessert at Thanksgiving is pumpkin bars with creme cheese or a pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling (pretty much the same thing). My favorite dessert at Christmas are sugar cookies with frosting…makes me feel like a kid again! ๐
Theresa says
I always love pumpkin around the holidays and for me, nothing beats a nice pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream on top. Lovely!
Christina says
My favorite dessert that we used to have every Christmas was flan. My grandma used to make the BEST flan ever, and it just wasn’t Christmas without it!
Mandi Raines says
Martha Washington Candy is my ultimate fav!
Kristan Heyman says
I love apple pie and anything with pumpkin in it!
Kelli says
pumpkin yogurt!
Emily says
I love Oreo truffles!
Jacqui says
Pecan pie for sure!!!
natalie (the sweets life) says
nothing beats my grandma’s apple pie!
but i MUST try these bars!
Tricia says
My favorite are fudge puddles!
Monica says
I admit I’m boring and traditional, but pumpkin pie is my favorite!