Caramel Pecan Dream Bars

Caramel Pecan Dream Bars: A Gooey Slice of Dessert Heaven
When your sweet tooth dreams, it dreams of these.

There are desserts that demand applause—towering cakes, triple-layer tortes, macarons with perfect little feet. And then there are desserts that don’t ask for anything except a second helping.

Caramel Pecan Dream Bars are firmly in that second category. They're humble, golden, gooey, and guaranteed to disappear from the pan faster than you can say, “Save me one.”

If you've never made them before, you're about to discover your new go-to for potlucks, holiday trays, bake sales, or just a random Tuesday when only something sweet, rich, and nutty will do.

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🌰 What Are Caramel Pecan Dream Bars?

They’re part cookie bar, part pie square, part sticky toffee magic. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust, a chewy caramelized center, and a crown of toasted pecans. Every bite delivers a balance of crunch, chew, and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

Basically: if pecan pie had a low-maintenance cousin who showed up to every party in cozy-chic style, it would be these bars.

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🍯 Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup butter, softened

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

For the topping:

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup chopped pecans

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🥄 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Grease an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan.

2. Make the crust:
   In a medium bowl, mix the flour, butter, and powdered sugar until it forms a soft dough. Press evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until just set and lightly golden.

3. Mix the filling:
   In another bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and vanilla. Fold in the chopped pecans.

4. Assemble & bake again:
   Pour the filling over the warm crust. Spread evenly. Return to oven and bake for another 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and set.

5. Cool & cut:
   Let the bars cool completely before cutting—if you can wait. The caramel needs a little time to firm up for clean slices.

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💭 Why They’re Called "Dream Bars"

Because they melt on your tongue like a dream. Because they’re soft, sweet, and just a little bit indulgent. Because every bite reminds you of something familiar—pecan pie, pralines, Sunday afternoons—and yet they’re uniquely their own thing.

They’re the kind of dessert that makes people close their eyes after the first bite. And then ask you for the recipe.

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🧡 Tips & Twists:

• Want even more richness? Drizzle with melted chocolate or a pinch of sea salt after baking.

• Swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or a mix.

• Double the batch—trust me on this one.

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📝 Final Thoughts

Some recipes are complicated on purpose. This one’s simple on purpose. Caramel Pecan Dream Bars don’t need layers of frosting or a pastry degree to shine. They just need you, your favorite pan, and maybe a little restraint so you don’t eat the whole batch in one sitting.

But if you do? No judgment. That’s what dreams are for.