These Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars are the perfect solution for white and dark chocolate lovers alike. Plus, caramel!

I tried to streamline and slim down that slightly ostentatious recipe title, but these bars just weren’t having it. Apparently, every ingredient, even the humble pecan, needs a minute in the spotlight now and then.

Caramel pecan chocolate chip toffee bars lined up with the middle bar with a bite taken out.

In no particular order: 
Caramel (enhanced with a little SCM – sweetened condensed milk for those not in the know)
Pecans
White chocolate chips
Dark chocolate chips
Toffee
And butter (not stated in the title but hopefully an obvious conclusion)

If that list doesn’t speak for itself, let me just add: there’s a whole lot to love with these caramel pecan chocolate chip toffee bars.

Three caramel pecan chocolate chip bars lined up in a row.

Layer bars are the best. The buttery, shortbread-like crust gets a quick snap in the oven, and then all the other yumminess gets layered and dolloped and sprinkled on top.

Back in the oven, at which time you should spend the 20 minutes summoning the patience to let the bars cool completely (unless you want a mess of gooey, lava-esque, hot caramel). Because waiting will be rewarded when the caramel pecan chocolate chip toffee bars bars are all yours.

Layer upon layer of deliciousness. And while I’m not usually a craver of white chocolate or pecans, they definitely have their well-chosen place every once in a while, and they certainly do great things for these decadent, caramelly layer bars.

One Year Ago: Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Two Years Ago: Creamy Tex-Mex Quinoa Dippers
Three Years Ago: Grilled Lime Coconut Chicken with Coconut Rice

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Pecan Toffee Caramel Chocolate Chip Layer Bars

Yield: 24 Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
4.75 stars (8 ratings)
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Ingredients

Crust:

  • 1 cup (227 g) salted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (159 g) light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt

Filling:

  • 1 (11-ounce) bag (312 g) caramel bits or soft caramels, unwrapped (see note)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon extract vanilla
  • Coarse kosher salt

Topping:

  • 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (170 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (ok, you can use milk chocolate chips if you have to)
  • 1 cup (170 g) Heath toffee bits
  • 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a metal 9X13-inch baking pan with foil and lightly grease the bottom and sides with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light in color, 1-2 minutes. Add the flour and salt; mix until combined. Reserve one cup of the mixture and reserve to use later. Press the rest of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until just set and very lightly golden on the edges.
  • While the crust bakes, place the unwrapped caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the sweetened condensed milk and butter. Microwave for 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the caramel mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla and a pinch of coarse, kosher salt. Drizzle across the crust and spread evenly (it’s ok if the crust is still warm).
  • Sprinkle the white chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, toffee bits and pecans over the caramel layer. Crumble and drop the remaining dough over the top. Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes until the caramel is bubbling and the edges are lightly golden.
  • Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Notes

Caramels: my favorite storebought caramels to use in recipes like these are Trader Joe’s but the Kraft brand works great, too (I haven’t tried other brands in this recipe).
Caramel Sauce: don’t use caramel sauce as it will be too thin for the bars.
Author: Mel
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Bake
Serving: 1 Bar, Calories: 418kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 173mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 38g

Recommended Products

9X13-inch Metal Baking Pan
Electric Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowl

Recipe Source: adapted a little from my long-time friend and old roommate, Kate (the great)