Salted Chocolate Pecan Bars Recipe
These Salted Chocolate Pecan Bars combine a buttery crust with a rich, gooey filling loaded with chopped pecans and dark chocolate chips. Finished with whole pecans and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, they offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors. Ideal for dessert or a special treat, these bars are baked to golden perfection and chilled for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or ¾ cup almond flour, or 1 cup gluten-free 1:1 blend)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
Filling
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Topping
- ½ cup whole pecans
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the crust: Combine the flour, granulated sugar, and cold cubed butter in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla bean paste, and salt until smooth and combined. Stir in the melted butter. Fold in the chopped pecans and dark chocolate chips evenly throughout the mixture.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the filling mixture over the slightly cooled crust in the pan. Arrange the whole pecans evenly on top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly soft in the center.
- Cool and chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to allow them to firm up for easier slicing.
- Serve: After chilling, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment edges. Slice into 9 squares and sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving to enhance the flavor contrast.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend.
- Chilling the bars is crucial for clean slices and enhanced flavor.
- Use dark chocolate chips with at least 60% cocoa for a rich chocolate taste.
- Flaky sea salt adds texture and balances the sweetness, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: salted chocolate pecan bars, chocolate pecan dessert, pecan bars, chocolate bars, baked dessert, nut dessert, holiday dessert
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/salted-chocolate-pecan-bars-recipe/
