Praline Dream Bars

Recipe Introduction

Craving something sweet and crunchy?

Ever found yourself staring into the biscuit tin, totally uninspired? Fancy whipping up something a bit special? These Praline Crunch Bars are exactly what you need.

Honestly, they're a total flavour bomb! Think sweet, nutty goodness with a satisfying crunch, all baked into a traybake.

A Slice of Southern Comfort Meets Scottish Classic

These bars are a bit of a mashup. The praline topping is inspired by those gorgeous Southern US pralines. The base? A classic buttery shortbread, like your nan used to make! This Dessert Bar Recipe is pure comfort food.

Ready in about an hour and makes 16 bars. Perfect for sharing or, you know, not sharing.

Why You Need These In Your Life

These bars are more than just a sweet treat. Pecans are packed with goodness! Plus, making these Homemade Dessert Bars is seriously therapeutic.

Forget your worries and just bake. They're also a brilliant Snack Treat for potlucks or bake sales. But really, they are perfect at Christmas Cooking as a sweet treat!

Let's Get Started!

Right then, are you ready to dive in? Next, we will get into the ingredient list and what you need for this delicious recipe.

Don't worry, it's all pretty straightforward! I've even added some sneaky tips and tricks I've picked up over the years, so your Pecan Praline Bars turn out perfectly.

Let's Talk Praline Crunch Bars : Ingredients & Gear

Right then, let’s dive into what you’ll need to whip up these amazing Praline Crunch Bars I like to think of them as the ultimate snack treat ! They're seriously lush! Think Millionaire's Shortbread Variations meets pecan praline bars at a Christmas cooking party.

The result? Pure heaven. And don't worry, they’re one of those easy baking traybake recipes . Honestly, anyone can nail this dessert bar recipe !

Main Ingredients

Let's get the basics nailed. These are the keys to making these bars sing.

• For the Shortbread Base:

  • Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks, 227g) . Make sure it’s softened, but not melted. Good butter is key here. Don't go cheap, yeah?
  • Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100g) . Ordinary, granulated sugar, nothing fancy.
  • Salt: ¼ teaspoon . Yep, even sweet things need a touch of salt!
  • All-Purpose Flour: 2 ¼ cups (281g) . Plain flour does the job.

• For that Glorious Praline Topping:

  • Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) . Again, go for good quality.
  • Light Brown Sugar: ½ cup (100g) , packed. This gives that caramel-y flavour.
  • Heavy Cream: ¼ cup (60ml) . Double cream will also work.
  • Honey (or Light Corn Syrup): 1 tablespoon . This adds a lovely stickiness and shine.
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon . Don't skimp on the good stuff!
  • Salt: ¼ teaspoon . Balances out the sweetness.
  • Chopped Pecans: 2 cups (200g) . Make sure they're roughly chopped. We need that nutty crunch for these caramel pecan bars

Seasoning Notes

A few tweaks can make all the difference here.

Vanilla is your best friend. It enhances all the flavours. Don’t skip it!. Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon to the shortbread for a warm, festive vibe, especially when doing some Christmas cooking .

Brown sugar is essential for that pecan praline bars flavour!. Swap pecans for walnuts if you fancy a change.

Equipment Needed

Don't panic, you probably have most of this already.

• A 9x13 inch baking pan . This is your stage, where the magic happens.
• Parchment paper. Trust me, lining the pan makes life so much easier.
• Mixing bowls. For mixing things, obviously.
• Electric mixer. Handheld or stand mixer, doesn't matter. If you are old school, use a spoon!.
• Saucepan. For melting the praline ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Gotta be precise, innit?
• Heatproof Spatula. For spreading the love.

Seriously, these Praline Crunch Bars (or Pecan Praline Bars , if you're posh) are so easy to make, and they always disappear fast.

The combo of the buttery shortbread and that crunchy pecan praline is just... chef's kiss . Enjoy baking these little gems!.

And remember, baking is all about having fun. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just enjoy the process.

If you need a quick snack treat , or you're aiming for some homemade dessert bars , these are your weapon of choice!.

Right, let's get cracking on these Praline Crunch Bars . Picture this: a buttery, crumbly base, topped with a sweet, nutty praline layer that's got just the right amount of crunch.

Honestly, it's like a millionaire's shortbread had a love child with a pecan pie. Delicious! You know? I call them Praline Dream Bars.

Cooking Method: Praline Perfection

Let's dive into how to make these amazing Praline Dream Bars. This is really an amazing Dessert Bar Recipe you can make at home. It is a perfect Snack Treat.

Prep Steps

• Essential mise en place : Get everything measured and ready! This makes it easier. We've all been there, haven't we? Halfway through a recipe and you realize you're missing an ingredient. Not this time! This also means using some Parchment paper for the tray.
• Time saving organization tips : Soften the butter way ahead. I usually leave mine out for an hour. Chop the pecans while the butter is softening. Organisation is key, people!
• Safety reminders (if applicable) : Be careful with the hot praline! It's basically molten sugar. Treat it with respect.

step-by-step Process

1. Cream butter, sugar, and salt: Mix the softened butter , sugar, and salt until fluffy.
2. Add flour: Gently mix in the flour. Don't overmix!
3. Press into pan: Press dough into a parchment lined 9x13 inch pan. Prick with a fork and chill for 30 minutes .
4. Bake the base: Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 20- 25 minutes , until golden.
5. Make praline: Combine butter, brown sugar, cream, honey, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. Cook until thickened and caramel colored, about 5- 7 minutes .
6. Add pecans: Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
7. Pour and bake: Pour praline over shortbread and bake for another 10- 15 minutes .
8. Cool and cut: Let cool completely before cutting into bars. This is important.

Pro Tips

• Expert techniques : Don't overbake the shortbread. Nobody likes a hard biscuit base. I’ve done it, and it's gutting. The colour should be lightly golden.
• Common mistakes to avoid : Watch the praline carefully! It can burn quickly. Stir it to prevent this. Burnt sugar is the worst.
• make-ahead options : You can bake the shortbread base a day ahead. Wrap it well and keep it at room temperature. This is great for those who are into Christmas Cooking!

These Pecan Praline Bars, or Shortbread Praline Bars, are seriously addictive. They are great as Caramel Pecan Bars. If you are familiar with Millionaire's Shortbread Variations, you will know that you can use them as Easy Baking Traybake Recipes! As a Homemade Dessert Bars.

All I can say is, give them a whirl! I once served these at a bake sale, and they were gone in minutes.

True story! And remember, Pecan Dessert Recipes are always a winner.

Recipe Notes for the Perfect Praline Dream Bars

Right then, let's talk shop about these amazing Praline Dream Bars . You know, the ones that are like a Millionaire's Shortbread Variations , but with a Southern twist? It's kinda like having a Snack Treat and a proper Dessert Bar Recipe all rolled into one.

Serving These Bad Boys: Presentation is Key!

Honestly, these Homemade Dessert Bars are delicious on their own. But presentation? That's where the magic happens. Plating wise, cut 'em into neat squares or fancy triangles up to you! How about a dusting of icing sugar? Or even better, a scoop of vanilla ice cream right next to that Pecan Praline Bars .

For drinks, a strong cuppa or a chilled glass of milk are winners. During the festive season, I love pairing them with a cheeky glass of Baileys perfect for Christmas Cooking !

Storage Lowdown: Keep 'Em Fresh!

These Shortbread Praline Bars are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are totally fine. For refrigeration, pop them in an airtight container.

They'll be good for up to 3 days. Freezing? Yeah, you can freeze these Easy Baking Traybake Recipes ! Wrap each bar individually in cling film, then store them in a freezer bag.

They'll keep for about 2 months. Reheating? Just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit.

Tweaking the Recipe: Let's Get Creative!

Got dietary needs? No stress. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend for the base. For those with nut allergies, try swapping the pecans for sunflower seeds.

Or how about a bit of seasonal flair? In autumn, I sometimes throw in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Imagine Caramel Pecan Bars, but with a spicy warmth. Delicious!

Nutrition Nitty Gritty: Goodness in Every Bite?

Each Pecan Dessert Recipes bar packs roughly 350 calories . They've got a good mix of fats (25g), carbs (30g) and a bit of protein (4g).

Pecans are a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. Plus, that little bit of shortbread provides comfort, you know?

Listen, baking these Praline Crunch Bars might seem a bit intimidating at first, but trust me, it's easier than you think.

Just follow the steps, and you'll have a batch of truly amazing bars in no time! Get baking!