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We can’t stop thinking about these salted chocolate pecan dessert bars! They are to-die-for!! A soft, shortbread cookie crust is topped with a sweet chocolate pecan filling and topped with flakey sea salt.

Fall is the official season for hosting which means big-batch dishes are a must! These salted pecan pie bars are perfect for your next dinner party. They super simple to make and are perfect to make when you need to feed a large group of people.

Think of pecan bars as the more casual version of a pecan pie. They taste just as good, if not better, and are simpler to make for a casual get together. The first layer is the most delicious, buttery shortbread and topped with a layer of chocolate pecan filling and lastly sprinkled with flakey sea salt. They’re such a perfect dessert for this fall! Snag the recipe below and get cooking.

Salted Chocolate Pecan Dessert Bars

Start by making the shortbread crust….

This homemade shortbread crust is what makes these pecan bars so amazing! The shortbread is buttery and soft which makes it the perfect base for these bars. You want to start by creaming cold butter.

We like to place butter in the freezer for ten minutes before baking to let the butter get super cold before baking. It makes for a firmer, better shortbread.

Once your butter is whipped and creamy, you will add in your sugars, vanilla and flour. You will end up with a thick dough. Scrape the edges of the bowl and the mixer to make sure you get as much dough as you can for the crust. Place the dough into your greased pan and press the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the pan to make the crust. The dough will bake in the oven for 20 minutes while you make you filling.

Make the filling….

The filling of this pie is a lighter version of a traditional pecan pie filling. While the dough is cooking, make your filling. Start by browning you butter in a pan (see the recipe below for directions on how to brown butter). Once you butter is browned and has cooled, whisk in one egg at a time. Next add in your sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Lastly, mix in your pecans and coconut.

Assemble the bars…

The best part! Pour your warm gooey filling over the top of the sugar cookie crust. Next, generously sprinkle dark chocolate chips over the top and pop the pecan pie bars in the oven.

Baking and serving…

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 20-35 minutes until golden brown and cooked all the way through. Allow the bars to cool for about 15 minutes before cutting the bars. You want to make sure they are cool enough so they dont crumble and have a clean cut.

Lastly, sprinkle with flakey sea salt and enjoy!!

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Salted Chocolate Pecan Dessert Bars

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Author: Mozie team
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 15 bars 1x

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Description

A homemade cookie crust is topped with a rich chocolate pecan filling and sprinkled with flakey sea salt to make the perfect fall desert for your next dinner party.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

18 tbsp salted butter cubed, chilled

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

Chocolate Pecan Filling

1/2 stick (4 tbsp), browned butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

2/3 cup coconut flakes (option but they make the recipe so much better)

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Instructions

Start by making the shortbread crust. Preheat oven to 350*F and grease a 9×11 baking pan with butter and line with a sheet of parchment paper. Set to the side while you make the dough.
Using an electric mixer on medium high speed with paddle attachment, cream the chilled butter and the sugars. You want to make sure your butter is cold, so feel free to throw your sticks of butter in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to get them super cold.
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, vanilla extract and mix to combine.
Lastly you will add in the flour and mix until just combined, careful to not over mix the dough. Scrape the bowl with a spatula and make sure excess flour and butter are combined.
Add your crust to the greased pan and press the dough into an even layer on the bottom of your pan. Place in the preheated oven to cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. While the crust is cooking, make your filling.
To make filling, start by browning butter in a skillet or small sauce pan. Add butter to pan and let it melt over medium heat until it turns an amber brown color. Once the butter is browned, let cool for about 10 minutes.
Pour cooled browned butter in a large bowl and whisk in brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla,. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Lastly, mix in chopped pecans and coconut flakes. Set aside until crust is baked.
Pour over baked crust and sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle to with flakey salt. Cut and serve!

Prep Time: 25
Chill Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American