Salted Caramel Pecan Bars
Creamy, salted caramel is hugged between layers of a deliciously nutty pecan bar for the ultimate caramel lover's treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 crushed pecans
- 1/4 cup pecan pieces
CARAMEL CENTER:
- About 35 caramels the individually wrapped caramels work best
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Prep a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper that has been very lightly sprayed with oil. Be sure the paper lays over the edges, so you can pull out the bars easily.
- Cream the butter, both sugars, and vanilla in your mixer.
- Add flour and mix until just combined.
- Stir in the crushed pecans.
- Separate the dough into halves. Wrap one half in plastic wrap and put in fridge.
- Press down 1/2 dough into the baking pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- In the microwave, head the cream and caramel until melted completely.
- Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Pour caramel mixture over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining 1/2 of the dough over the caramel.
- Sprinkle the pecan pieces on top.
- Bake 18-25 minutes, until it's bubbling and cooked through in the center.
- Allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
- Pull out of pan by the parchment paper. Cut into squares.