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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.
Rebecca Shockley says
I love homemade Fudge and also Pecan pie, oh and Egg Nog anything
chelsea says
my favorite dessert would have to be pecan pie…LOVE IT!!! so rich and delicious!!
Starr L says
Oh, Thanksgiving is simply not Thanksgiving until I’ve had a piece of pumpkin pie with a load of whipped cream. That said, I’ve also fallen in love with zucchini bread. Everything else depends on the year and what recipes I run across. (like this one is making my list this year) I have a bad habit of “experimenting” at Christmas, not always successful, but . . .
Oh, oh, my grandmother use to make 20 plus Pound Cakes she gave everyone for Christmas. She died a few years back and I’ve taken over the tradition of making her Pound Cake recipe for everyone though they may only get a half each.
My chihuahuas listen attentively to my conversations (to myself).
Amy S says
I love all the Christmas cookies!
courtney b says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/134822969124982784
courtney b says
my favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin with LOTS of whipped cream!
Jules says
Mini pumpkin cheescakes, mini apple pies, mini pecan pies… If the pies are all minies, you can have one of each!!! And not feel guily about it!!! Love the holidays…FYI…..all good cooks talk to them selves..You rock girl, and dont you stop!
Valerie says
I so want one of those ovens!
Kel says
Really any kind of bars – especially with chocolate. These would fit that description.
Joanne says
Oh I totally talk to myself. I pretend sometimes that I’m really talking to my ingredients…but that might just be weirder.
Favorite holiday dessert = hardest question EVER. I made a caramel apple cake last year that kind of rocked my world. But I like to take at least twenty bites of everything.
Sabrina says
My favorite holiday dessert is my mother’s coconut cake. She makes it a few days before the holiday &. It gets better & better the longer it sits in the refrigerator. Even though, I am a grown & married, it reminds me of being a kid again.
Yvonne G says
My mama’s homemade apple pie or my molasses spice cookies.
libby says
My favorite is sweet potato pie , oh so delicious!!!
Heather Spooner says
I love pumpkin pie. Ialways look forward to eating it cold for breakfast the next day. Thanks for the giveaway!
Lisa says
Ummmmm, I’m thinking THIS is my new favorite dessert/recipe for Thanksgiving, thank YOU very much! Before this, it had to be chocolate pecan pie TIED with good ol’ pumpkin pie….YUM!