Description
Pecan pie bark brings Southern comfort straight to dessert tables with a crisp, buttery base and caramelized nutty topping. Sweet layers of graham crackers and rich pecans create a simple yet indulgent treat you can quickly devour and share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecan Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups pecans, roughly chopped
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers (about 40 crackers)
Base and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks/226 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Arrange a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, lightly coating with cooking spray. Meticulously layer saltine crackers across the entire surface to create a uniform base.
- Generate a rich toffee by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Incorporate brown sugar and salt, stirring consistently until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
- Maintain a gentle boil for precisely 3 minutes without disrupting the mixture. Carefully remove from heat and infuse with vanilla extract, creating a glossy caramel-like consistency.
- Cascade the hot toffee evenly across the cracker foundation, using a spatula to ensure complete coverage and uniform distribution.
- Generously scatter chopped pecans over the toffee layer, creating a textural landscape of nutty crunch.
- Transfer the prepared sheet to a preheated 350F (175C) oven, allowing the toffee to bubble and pecans to achieve a golden, toasted appearance over 8-10 minutes.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, disperse chocolate chips across the hot surface. Allow 2-3 minutes for natural melting, then smoothly spread into a seamless chocolate layer using a spatula.
- Permit the bark to cool completely at room temperature or expedite the process by refrigerating. Once fully set, fracture into irregular, rustic pieces ready for indulgence.
Notes
- Swap saltine crackers with gluten-free crackers or graham crackers for alternative dietary needs like celiac or gluten sensitivity.
- Select high-quality chocolate chips for richer flavor, preferring dark chocolate for less sweetness or milk chocolate for classic taste.
- Control toffee consistency by stirring constantly and monitoring heat to prevent burning, ensuring smooth caramelization without bitter undertones.
- Store bark in airtight container between parchment layers for up to one week, keeping texture crisp and preventing chocolate from melting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg