Description
Indulgent German chocolate pecan pie bars blend rich chocolate, caramel, and nutty pecans into a delectable dessert that celebrates classic Southern sweetness. Layers of silky filling and buttery crust create a luxurious treat that delights taste buds with each irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 large eggs
Sweeteners and Syrups:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Flavor Enhancers and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal.
- Create crust by blending flour, softened butter, sugar, and salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly and evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake crust for 15-18 minutes until edges turn light golden. Remove from oven but maintain oven temperature.
- Combine chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips in a separate bowl, mixing thoroughly.
- In a saucepan, melt granulated sugar, corn syrup, and butter over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat, cool 5 minutes, then whisk in beaten eggs and vanilla extract, stirring continuously to prevent egg scrambling.
- Distribute warm filling evenly over baked crust, then sprinkle pecan-coconut-chocolate mixture on top, gently pressing into filling.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until filling sets and center appears stable.
- Prepare chocolate topping by melting sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate chips over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth, then incorporate vanilla extract.
- Immediately after removing bars from oven, pour warm chocolate topping over surface, spreading evenly with spatula.
- Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate 1-2 hours until chocolate topping solidifies.
- Extract bars using parchment paper, transfer to cutting board, and slice into squares. Use hot water-cleaned knife for precise cuts.
Notes
- Customize the crust by substituting some flour with ground nuts like almonds or pecans for added depth and texture.
- Enhance the chocolate flavor by using dark chocolate chips or a mix of milk and dark chocolate for a more complex taste profile.
- Prevent egg scrambling by tempering the eggs slowly by adding a small amount of the hot syrup mixture while whisking constantly before fully incorporating.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their pristine appearance and prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg