A few weeks back, someone at my office brought some scrumptious little bites of heaven to our Thanksgiving potluck. Word around the office was that they were made up of butter, sugar, and graham crackers. Well, that would explain why I could NOT stop eating them!
When I saw this recipe in Southern Living earlier this month, I had a feeling if I attempted it, the resulting product would be pretty close to those same little bites of heaven that I ate that day at the office. Guess what? I was right!
These can be made a couple of different ways- with and without chocolate- so of course I had to make them both ways to see which was better. Honestly, it’s a toss up. My husband likes them best without and I like them with. But I also like them without. Basically what I’m telling you is that you can’t go wrong with either!
Salted Caramel Pecan Bars
Makes 4 dozen. From Southern Living.
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
12 whole graham crackers
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 Tbsp whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher saltDirections:
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper; lightly grease foil. Arrange graham crackers in a single layer in prepared pan, slightly overlapping edges.
Combine sugar, butter, and cream in a medium-size heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and pecans. Pour butter mixture over crackers, spreading to coat.
Bake at 350° for 10 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.
Immediately sprinkle with salt, and slide foil/paper from pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely (about 30 minutes). With a knife, cut into bars.
Chocolate-Pecan-Caramel Bar Variation: Prepare recipe as directed until removal from oven. Once removed from oven, top warm bars with 1 cup dark chocolate morsels. Let stand 3 minutes, and spread chocolate over bars, then sprinkle with salt and proceed with recipe as directed. Chill 20 minutes before serving.
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Blog is the New Black — December 16, 2010 @ 9:48 am
Looks wonderful!
ErinsFoodFiles — December 16, 2010 @ 1:50 pm
drool! I’d love some of that!
zarna — December 16, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
yay! you posted these just in time!
when vivek brought these home i couldn’t stop eating them and i’m definitely making them for a holiday dessert-swap party i’m going to this weekend!
Beth replied: — December 16th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
So glad you liked them! I can’t keep them in my house because they are addictive! I’m going to weight two tons before the holidays are over ;-)
traci — December 16, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Yummy! I’ve made a version before with saltines…the salty accent was still there, but these sound much better! I’m making the your Peppadews for our Christmas Eve party, may have to make these, too.
Beth replied: — December 16th, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
yes, yes! I made some treat with saltines several years ago, but I have no idea what I did w the recipe. I know that it was very similar to this though, and also very good!
megan @ whatmegansmaking — December 17, 2010 @ 8:52 am
They look so good! What a perfect Christmas candy :)
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. — December 17, 2010 @ 10:54 am
These look delish!
sarah — December 17, 2010 @ 11:58 am
These look Delicious!!! When are you going to have your own book or tv show??? i would buy and tune in every day (:
& THANK YOU so much for my sweet birthday comment!!
Beth replied: — December 17th, 2010 @ 9:30 pm
thanks sarah! hope you’re having a wonderful birthday :-)
Lesley — December 17, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
I didn’t remember who made these, but they were one of my favorites from the holiday party. I told Chris that they weren’t all that good so I’d have them all for myself. :)
Beth replied: — December 17th, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
haha! That’s funny. Sounds just like something I would do to my husband!
simplychic — December 23, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
i always say that i am going to try a recipe and for the first time i actually did!!!! these are delicious! thanks for sharing. i’ve shared the recipe on my blog and gave you credit ;)
Beth replied: — December 23rd, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
So glad that you gave it a shot & enjoyed! I just finished making my 4th batch this morning to give as gifts :-)
Barbara Keith — December 23, 2010 @ 5:39 pm
Wanted you to know I made these for a cookie swap – very popular! I put both dark and white chocolate on the top. YUM! Thanks for the inspiration! Hope you have a great holiday – thanks for your great blog!
Beth replied: — December 23rd, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Awesome! Happy Holidays to you and your family too!!
Brittany — November 2, 2011 @ 9:42 am
How many calories?
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a very pinterest christmas – salted caramel pecan bars and oreo cookies « joyful follies — December 6, 2011 @ 8:28 am
[...] The second recipe was a bit of a gamble, since I have never had good luck making caramel of any kind, but they sounded so good, I decided it was worth the risk – Salted Caramel Pecan Bars. [...]
Munchies by amoree - Pearltrees — January 13, 2012 @ 6:46 am
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Maureen — March 28, 2012 @ 11:34 am
Made a version of these just recently! Have no idea where I got the recipe. Mine did not call for the whipping cream but that sounds like a great idea! They are amazing! Totally addicting – totally!! I think you have more butter too for more caramel – always a good thing! Can’t make these too often! They are light enough that you don’t feel as if you’ve eaten the whole plate! lol