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Feb232014

Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

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This dessert was honestly a derivative out of sheer panic. See we were invited to a party that was dressy and where we really didn’t know anyone but the hosts.  Now we (okay me) were on the fence about going as up to the morning of the party work had been an absolute nightmare. Mandatory overtime (which is fine) but that meant unusually long days then add on top TKW stuff, sleep was at a bare minimum and come Saturday afternoon I was completely run down. I wanted nothing more than to wash my face, pull my hair up in a pony tail, put on my Princess jammies (yes I have these) and go full on zombie-mode – meaning just be dead to the world.  I didn’t want to think, cook or heck, I didn’t even want to wear pants to be honest.  LOL

But…

yes, there’s a but *sigh* Mr. Fantabulous really wanted to go.  Fortunately I had gone to Kohl’s the week before (thank you 30% off code) and bought some new clothes but unfortunately I had nothing made to take to the party.  I can’t go empty handed.  No really, I can’t.  I would feel so guilty, especially the first time being at someone’s house you know. So I went to the kitchen in a state of panic looking for something to make that wasn’t anything non-fancy.  LOL  I mean you want to impress – my thought process is if they love my food, they’ll invite us back. Right?  LOL  So I went through cupboards, cookbooks, freezers and it wasn’t until I saw 2 single pecan pies I had wrapped up did it dawn on me to make pecan pie bars.  Now normally bar cookies aren’t that fancy but these were not your ordinary bar cookies.  My chocolate pecan bars are extremely rich and decadent.  We’re talking when you cut these, cut them no bigger than say 1″x1″.  They are THAT rich.  It’s like that most amazing truffle that is just a few bites.  Anything more and it’s too much but just a few bites and it’s sheer perfection. Well that’s these!

ChocolatePecanPieBars4

So I rolled up my Princess jammies and got to making these. God only knows where I got the energy to make these let alone stand but I didn’t want to disappoint my hubby. Now if I said that I really didn’t want to go he would totally understood. And I would have even said for him to go alone but I still would have had to make these. I would never EVER let him go alone either.  What’s funny is while I was in the middle of making these he came out and said “Why aren’t you in bed?  You look exhausted?”  I looked up at him, cocoa on my face and chocolate on my hand and said “Um, these are for the party tonight. I can stop making these and you can just grab something from the grocery store to take if you wish.”  The like of *GASP* was priceless on his face to which he said “Can I help you then?”  LOL  My baby took pity on me.  Gotta love it.

ChocolatePecanPieBars

Realistically this dish doesn’t take long to make – prep and baking under 35 minutes.  The longest part was waiting for them to cool completely before cutting.  If you cut them when they are even the tiniest bit warm they will fall and you’ll end up with a mess; a very delicious mess but still a mess.  This is one of those dishes where I was thankful that they had to chill for a few hours.  That meant I could take my very tired body to bed, even if it was for an hour, it was still much needed sleep.  Well my baby *thought* he was doing the right thing by letting me sleep up until 30 minutes before we were to leave.  Yeah um fellas – not good!  See us women need to primp which means showering, doing our hair and our makeup and THEN picking out something to wear.  I need a good hour at least for this (that is, if I’m going somewhere that I want to make a good impression). On top of that I still had to cut these and plate them to make them look fancy.  Again, Mr. Fantabulous offered to help but I just smiled and patted him on the butt.  LOL Not sure how I managed to pull it off but I was dressed, ready to go AND had these plated in 30.

ChocolatePecanPieBars3

In the end I’m glad we went to the party. I met some really cool people which seemed to perk up my energy. Or it could have been the fact that there was so much food I was too busy sampling everything. LOL Like most Pittsburgh gatherings there is a main food table and a dessert table where often the dessert table is bigger than the food one.  This one they were pretty equal in size.  So I made some room and set mine down.

Now it’s funny when a new food arrives to a party.  You could be beyond stuffed but as soon as you see something new *magically* you have more room in your tummy to try.  LOL  We all do it.  I mean heck, why do you think buffet-style restaurants are just so successful?! Within minutes people were coming up and sampling it. Since I didn’t know these people I made a little card that I stuck in one of them that stood up saying what they were.  Plus I do my very best to be sensitive to those with food allergies and considering these were chocked full of nuts I didn’t want anyone taking any chances.

Then I swear as soon as someone tasted one, the word spread like gossip in Hollywood and I swear every person at the party was at the dessert table taking these bars.  I just stood there quietly and watched, partly because I am actually really shy when I know virtually no one (yeah I know, who’d have thought that!) and also, I wanted to get unbiased reactions.  Everyone starting raving over them asking who brought them.  I, then, introduced myself and started talking about the bars and rather quickly my shyness went away.  I was talking about food so I was in a comfort zone I guess you could say.

ChocolatePecanPieBars2

So if you’re looking for a really rich and decadent dessert, then definitely go with these bars.  They are definitely a crowd pleaser!

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Decadent Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

  • Author: The Kitchen Whisperer

Find more fantabulous recipes, tips and tricks at www.thekitchenwhisperer.net. Also, join our TKW Family on Facebook

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★★★★★ 4.3 from 3 reviews
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Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks), cold and cut into small pieces
  • 2–3 Tbl heavy cream

Chocolate Pecan Layer

  • 1 3/4 cups pecans, whole
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pie Filling Layer

  • 8 Tbl butter (1 stick), unsalted
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F with the rack in the middle.
  2. Line a 9×9” glass baking dish with parchment paper and then spray. Make sure to leave a 1” overhang to help lift out.
  3. In the bowl of a food processor, make the crust by pulsing the flour, cocoa, confectioners’ sugar and salt.
  4. Add the butter and run the processor for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add in the cream and process until the dough comes together. It will be like a slightly wet shortbread dough. If the dough is not wet add a Tbl or so more cream. You want it to be wet and sandy but will hold a shape when you compress it.
  6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place into the pan.
  7. Use the back of a measuring cup to press the dough down in. You want it compressed and compact.
  8. Next add the pecans on top of the crust.
  9. On top of that sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly.
  10. Next make the pie filling by placing the butter, sugar, cream, vanilla bean paste and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.
  11. Whisk until smooth and melted. It should be creamy.
  12. Pour the pie filling over the top of the pecans and chocolate.
  13. Bake 25 minutes and then place on a cooling rack for at least an hour.
  14. When the pan is cool to the touch, place uncovered in the fridge for1-3 hours or until chilled.
  15. Remove from the fridge and cut into 1×1” pieces.

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Recipe Reviews & Comments

  1. Christine dorothy says

    December 30, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    I followed the recipe but the base is dry and powdery. The topping you have did not appear at all on my bars. One can’t rate it less than three stars. Lol!

    ★★★

    Reply
    • TKWAdmin says

      December 30, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      Hi Christine,

      Aw I’m sorry you had problems with it. The crust is a crumbly shortbread. I’m wondering if the cocoa played a factor in yours. Depending on the cacao % in the cocoa, you may need to add more cream as it can be ‘drier’. The chocolate pecan layer is treated almost like chocolate covered pecans as it’s just pecans and melted chocolate. The pie filling layer should be thick and rich, not like traditional pecan pie which is more ‘tender’.

      Best Kitchen Wishes and Happy New Year!

      Reply
  2. Mary says

    February 25, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Oh Em Gee………..I made these for a friend at work and they are AMAZING!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • TKWAdmin says

      February 25, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Tee hee! THAT made my day! Thank you Mary! And you are one amazing friend to make these for someone! Rock on!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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