Fudgy Pecan Bars

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Caramel sauce adds richness to an already luscious chocolate bar. Look for caramel topping, sauce or spread in the ice cream topping section of grocery stores. For a simple finish, sprinkle the bars with powdered sugar or use a fork to drizzle melted chocolate over the top.

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Ingredients

  • CRUST
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • FILLING
  • 8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup purchased caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup hot strong coffee
  • 1 tablespoon dark rum, if desired
  • 3 cups toasted pecan halves*
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving extra paper extending over long sides of pan; grease paper.

2. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and salt at medium speed 2 minutes or until soft and fluffy. At low speed, beat in 1 3/4 cups flour in two additions until just blended. Press mixture into bottom of pan; poke with fork every 2 to 3 inches. Bake 15 minutes or until pale golden brown; cool on wire rack. Increase oven temperature to 375°F.

3. Place chocolate and 3/4 cup butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 1 to 3 minutes or until melted; stir until combined. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Sift 2/3 cup flour over mixture; whisk to blend.

4. Place caramel sauce in small microwave-safe bowl; microwave 20 to 30 seconds to thin. Stir in coffee and rum. Stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.

5. Pour filling into crust. Bake at 375°F. for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out fudgy and filling is slightly cracked and raised around edges. (It will puff slightly when fully baked.) Cool on wire rack. Use parchment paper overhang to lift bars from pan. Slice.

TIP *To toast pecans, place on baking sheet; bake at 350°F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until slightly darker in color. Cool.

24 bars

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