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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.
Lindsey Beck says
My favorite holiday dessert is homemade French Silk Pie with homemade whipped cream – YUM!!
Jen M O says
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin cheesecake. Oh, it is so good!
Desi says
My fave Thanksgiving dessert is my mom’s lemon pie. And I love fudge at Christmas time!
Stephanie R says
My favorite Thanksgiving dessert is easily my dads pecan pie. For Christmas, I love snowball cookies (also known as Mexican Wedding cookies). Always reminds me of baking with my mom as a kid. ๐
Andrea says
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is the eating of the leftovers – after we’ve all spent a couple of hours in a food coma, it’s snack time again, so we use lefse (yes, we’re lefse people) to wrap up leftover ham/turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing and eat them like tacos. ๐
Jessie C. says
tweet.https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/135250547505770496
Jessie C. says
My favorite holiday dessert is pumpkin pie, best of this season.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Leanne Toohey says
I have a family member that is going to LOVE this!
michelle says
Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream!
Stephanie says
I hated pumpkin pie as a kid! Now I am in love!
Robin Thomas says
I would have to say pumpkin roll, it sounds so simple compared to many other choices but I seldom get it so it wins because it really is a treat.
Linda V says
My favorite is chocolate chip pecan pie bars but now I need to try this new recipe.
Angela S says
It’s a tough call, but my grandma’s butterscotch pumpkin pie just barely beats out ladyfinger cookies.
Jenny says
you want me to pick a favorite? that’s like asking me to pick a favorite child. i will say, i have a deep and abounding love of christmas cookies. i know, i know, it’s not fancy…but seriously, christmas cookies are my thang. ๐
The Single Nester says
Oh my word! I can’t wait to try these.