Family Recipes

    Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars*

    * not tested

    These salted caramel pecan pie bars have a buttery crust and are topped with a soft caramel layer with just the right amount of chopped pecans. They look really pretty to boot, so perfect for entertaining or to bring to a holiday potluck.

    Prep Time: 15 mins

    Cook Time: 45 mins

    Cool Time: 1 hr

    Total Time: 2 hrs

    Servings: 32

    Ingredients

    Crust:

    • 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
    • 1/4 cup white sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups all purpose flour

    Filling:

    • 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
    • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 cup whipping cream
    • 6 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, or to taste

    Directions

    1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
    2. For the crust, beat 3/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in 2 cups flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. 
    3. Press dough evenly into the prepared pan, using the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten the dough. Bake until lightly browned, 18 to 20 minutes.
    4. For the filling, toss together pecans, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
    5. Combine 1 cup sugar, the cream, 6 tablespoons butter, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter melts, stir to combine. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Continue cooking until golden and the temperature reaches 245 degrees F (118 degrees C), firm-ball stage, about 16 minutes. Remove from heat.
    6. Stir in pecan mixture and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over the crust. Bake until the topping has small bubbles all over the surface, 10 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with flaky sea salt.
    7. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan before cutting.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories211
    Total Carbohydrate 18g 
    Dietary Fiber 1g 
    Total Sugars 11g 
    Protein 2g 
    Total Fat 15g 
    Saturated Fat 6g 
    Cholesterol 26mg 
    Vitamin C 0mg 
    Sodium 153mg 
    Calcium 14mg 
    Iron 1mg 
    Potassium 55mg
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