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4.8 from 24 votes

Pecan Toffee Caramel Chocolate Chip Layer Bars

Enjoy something delicious and satisfying with this easy-to-make recipe.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 24 Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Crust:
  • 1 cup salted butter room temperature
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt
Filling:
  • 1 (11-ounce) (11-ounce) bag caramel bits or soft caramels unwrapped (see note)
  • 1 (14-ounce) (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon extract vanilla
  • coarse kosher salt
Topping:
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (ok, you can use milk chocolate chips if you have to)
  • 1 cup Heath toffee bits
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a metal 9X13-inch baking pan with foil and lightly grease the bottom and sides with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light in color, 1-2 minutes. Add the flour and salt; mix until combined. Reserve one cup of the mixture and reserve to use later. Press the rest of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until just set and very lightly golden on the edges.
  3. While the crust bakes, place the unwrapped caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the sweetened condensed milk and butter. Microwave for 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla and a pinch of coarse, kosher salt. Drizzle across the crust and spread evenly (it's ok if the crust is still warm).
  4. Sprinkle the white chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, toffee bits and pecans over the caramel layer. Crumble and drop the remaining dough over the top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes until the caramel is bubbling and the edges are lightly golden.
  5. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Caramels: my favorite storebought caramels to use in recipes like these are Trader Joe's but the Kraft brand works great, too (I haven't tried other brands in this recipe).
  • Caramel Sauce: don't use caramel sauce as it will be too thin for the bars.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Bar Calories 418kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 173mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 38g (76%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Bar
Calories 418kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 173mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 38g 76%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.