Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN SHORTBREAD BARS

Category: Bars

For the shortbread:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

For the pecan topping:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 egg
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup caramel sauce (ice cream topping)
1 cup chopped pecans

In the bowl of your stand mixer beat together the flour, sugar, and butter until it is a coarse, crumbly mixture. Dump the mixture into an ungreased 8x8 baking dish and press to form the bottom crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

While the shortbread is baking, beat together the egg, brown sugar, caramel sauce, and pecans. Set aside.

After 20 minutes remove the shortbread from the oven and sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Wait 1-2 minutes for the chocolate chips to soften and then spread them gently with an off-set spatula to cover the shortbread crust.

Pour the pecan mixture on top of the chocolate. Return to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the pecan mixture is set. Remove from the oven and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent the bars from sticking to the side of the baking dish. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.