These caramel chip pecan bars are an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert made with soft caramel baking chips and crunchy pecans. They bake up quickly and deliver buttery, caramel-forward flavor in every square—perfect for potlucks, school events, brunches, or a simple family treat.
This recipe uses caramel baking chips for the convenience of caramel flavor without the mess of sauce. If you can’t find caramel chips, butterscotch chips make a fine substitute. The bars keep well and are easy to transport, so they’re an excellent option when you need to bring dessert for a group.
The combination of caramel and pecans is a classic for a reason: the sweet, rich caramel pairs beautifully with the nutty crunch of pecans. These bars have a dense, blondie-like texture, studded with caramel chips and chopped pecans for contrast. They’re delicious served warm or at room temperature—try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special dessert.
How to Make Caramel Chip Pecan Bars
These bars are straightforward to prepare and require only one mixing bowl (and a microwave-safe bowl to melt the butter if you prefer). Start by lining and greasing a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment so you can lift the finished slab out easily. Melt the butter, stir in the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then add the dry ingredients. Fold in the caramel chips and chopped pecans, spread the batter into the prepared pan, and bake until set. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing so they hold together.
Parchment makes removing and cutting the bars much easier: lift the whole slab from the pan, set it on a cutting board, and slice into squares. If you need to make these ahead, cool them thoroughly, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
I served these at a teacher appreciation lunch and they were a hit—sweet, buttery, and full of caramel flavor. They’re a simple way to make a big batch of tasty bars without fuss.
Caramel Chip Pecan Bars
These caramel chip pecan bars are easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. The caramel chips provide a rich, sweet bite while pecans add texture and flavor.
Rating: 5 from 6 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Cooling Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 16 bars | Calories: 271 kcal
Author: Angela Allison
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (one stick)
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups caramel chips (such as Ghirardelli)
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line and lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter on high for about 1 minute. Stir in the brown sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the caramel chips and chopped pecans.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan using a rubber spatula.
- Bake for 28–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the edges begin to brown too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil.
- Cool the bars in the pan on a wire rack, then transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely before lifting out on the parchment and cutting into bars.
Notes
These bars are great to make ahead. Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Serve warm for a softer texture or chilled for cleaner slices.
Nutrition
Calories: 271 kcal per bar (approximate).
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment and share how it turned out. These bars are easy to adapt—swap in butterscotch chips if you prefer a slightly different caramel-like flavor, or use walnuts in place of pecans.
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