5 from 20 votes
Salted Caramel Pecan Butter Bars
Salted Caramel Pecan Butter Bars feature a buttery shortbread base topped with a smooth caramel layer studded with chopped pecans and finished with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt. The combination delivers a sweet, rich, and slightly salty flavor profile alongside a tender, crumbly texture. These bars are ideal for dessert or snack time when a sweet treat with a balance of textures is desired.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
16
servings
Calories:
315 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups flour
- 30 caramels unwrapped
- 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup pecan finely chopped
- sea salt coarse
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl cream together butter, powdered sugar, and sugar. Add vanilla and almond and mix until smooth. Add flour and mix until dough comes together.
- Press half of the dough into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Chill remaining dough.
- While crust is baking, prepare caramel layer. Combine caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and return to microwave for 20 seconds at a time until caramel is smooth. Stir in vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Pour caramel over baked crust. Sprinkle chopped pecans over caramel (I reserved a tablespoon to sprinkle on top). Drop teaspoons of remaining dough on top of caramel layer until dough is used up. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Bake 30-35 minutes until crust is lightly browned.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars (you can put them in the fridge to speed put he process!) Store in airtight container up to one week.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Ensure butter is thoroughly softened to achieve a smooth, workable dough.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent caramel from oozing.
- Stored airtight at room temperature, bars will keep well for up to one week.
- Coarse sea salt sprinkled on top balances the sweetness and adds texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
315kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
64g
(21%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
116mg
(5%)
Potassium
128mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
38g
(76%)
Vitamin A
63IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 315
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 315kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 64g | 21% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 116mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 128mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 38g | 76% |
| Vitamin A | 63IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.