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- Butter, Sugar, and Eggs - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - Dry Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, Salt - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - Add-ins: Pecans and Caramel Sauce - 1 cup pecans, chopped - 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) When you make caramel pecan blondie bars, the right ingredients matter. You start with butter, sugar, and eggs. I use melted butter for a rich taste. Brown sugar gives a deep flavor that shines through. The eggs help bind the mixture. Next, we need dry ingredients. I use all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The flour forms the base of the bars. Baking powder helps them rise, while salt enhances the sweetness. Finally, the fun part—add-ins! Chopped pecans add crunch and flavor. Caramel sauce brings a sweet, sticky goodness. You can choose store-bought or make your own. Either way, it creates a delightful contrast with the blondies. Gathering these ingredients sets you up for success. Each component plays a key role in making your dessert a standout treat. - Setting the Oven Temperature Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This heat ensures even baking for the blondies. - Preparing the Baking Pan Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. You can also use parchment paper for easy removal later. - Combining Butter and Sugar In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with 1 ½ cups of brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. - Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla Add 2 large eggs, one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until everything blends nicely. - Whisking Together Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. This mix helps the blondies rise. - Mixing Dry into Wet and Adding Pecans Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Then, fold in 1 cup of chopped pecans, keeping some aside for later. - Layering Batter and Caramel Pour half of the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Spread it evenly. Drizzle half of the 1 cup of caramel sauce over this layer. - Swirling and Topping with Pecans Spread the rest of the batter over the caramel layer. Dollop the remaining caramel sauce on top. Use a knife to swirl the caramel slightly. Sprinkle the reserved pecans for a crunchy topping. - Baking Time and Testing for Doneness Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the blondies cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting them into bars. Enjoy this delightful dessert! Avoiding Overmixing Overmixing can make your blondies tough. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps. This keeps the blondies soft and chewy. Best Practices for Caramelizing If you make your own caramel sauce, use low heat. Stir gently and do not rush it. Watch it closely to prevent burning. A smooth caramel will enhance the flavor of your blondies. Presentation Ideas for Serving To make your blondies look great, serve them warm. Drizzle extra caramel on top. Add whole pecans for a nice touch. You can cut them into squares for easy sharing. Pairing with Ice Cream or Cream These blondies taste amazing with vanilla ice cream. The cold creaminess balances the sweet caramel. You can also serve them with whipped cream on the side. Enjoying them this way makes each bite even better! {{image_2}} Incorporating Chocolate Chips You can add chocolate chips to your blondies for extra flavor. Use about 1 cup of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips. Mix them in with the pecans before you pour the batter into the pan. The chocolate adds a rich taste that pairs well with caramel. Adding a Touch of Sea Salt A sprinkle of sea salt on top can enhance the sweet flavor. Just add a pinch before you bake the blondies. The salty and sweet mix creates a tasty contrast that everyone will love. Gluten-Free Adaptations You can make these blondies gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Measure it like regular flour. This change keeps the texture while allowing gluten-free eaters to enjoy this treat. Vegan Modifications To make a vegan version, replace the eggs with flax eggs. Use 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons of water for each egg. Choose a vegan butter for the recipe too. These swaps let everyone enjoy the caramel pecan blondie bars without animal products. Best Practices for Short-Term Storage After baking, let your blondie bars cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Once cool, cut them into squares. Place the squares in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for up to five days. If you want to keep them even longer, you can wrap them in plastic wrap before placing them in the container. Freezing for Longer Shelf Life To freeze your blondie bars, first cut them into squares. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. How to Warm Up for Freshness To warm your blondie bars, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes. This brings back their soft texture. You can also use the microwave. Heat each bar for about 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat them. Serving Warm vs. Cold Serving blondies warm adds a special touch. The caramel becomes gooey, and the taste is rich. However, they are also great cold. The flavors settle, and they become easy to handle. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for a fun treat! How do I know when blondies are done baking? You can tell when blondies are done by using a toothpick. Insert it into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. If the toothpick comes out clean, they may be overbaked. I recommend checking them around the 25-minute mark. Can I use different nuts instead of pecans? Yes, you can use different nuts. Walnuts or almonds work well too. Just chop them into small pieces. This change can add new flavors and textures to your blondies. What can I substitute for caramel sauce? If you need a substitute for caramel sauce, try using butterscotch sauce or chocolate sauce. You can also make a quick homemade caramel using sugar and cream if you prefer. How long do these bars last at room temperature? These bars can last about 3 to 5 days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. If you want them to last longer, consider refrigerating or freezing them. These caramel pecan blondie bars bring together butter, sugar, and eggs, balanced by dry ingredients like flour and salt. You learned how to mix these with tasty add-ins and bake them to perfection. Remember to avoid overmixing for the best texture. Get creative with flavors or make dietary swaps to suit your needs. Store them properly for longer enjoyment, and don't hesitate to reheat for a fresh taste. Enjoy the deliciousness of your creation, and share these tips with others who love baking.

Caramel Pecan Blondie Bars

Indulge in the irresistible goodness of Caramel Pecan Blondie Bars! With rich flavors of buttery blondies topped with sweet caramel and crunchy pecans, these bars are perfect for any occasion. Simple to make and utterly delicious, they will be a hit with family and friends. Ready to satisfy your sweet tooth? Click through for the full recipe and treat yourself to these delightful bars that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

      Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.

        In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.

          Fold in the chopped pecans, reserving a handful for topping.

            Pour half of the blondie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the batter.

              Spread the remaining batter over the caramel layer and dollop the rest of the caramel sauce on top, swirling it lightly with a knife. Sprinkle the reserved pecans for garnish.

                Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

                  Let it cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting into bars.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 12-16 bars

                      - Presentation Tips: Serve warm or at room temperature, drizzled with extra caramel sauce and a few whole pecans sprinkled on top for an enticing look.