Pecan pie bark is a delicious twist on traditional pecan pie, offering all the flavors in a convenient, easy-to-make treat. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare pecan pie bark:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (about 12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Prepare Pan:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Make sure it’s large enough to spread the bark mixture thinly.
- Toast Pecans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the pecan halves evenly on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Once toasted, remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Toffee Mixture:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth and bubbly. This usually takes around 5-7 minutes.
- Once the mixture is smooth and bubbly, remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble the Bark:
- Quickly spread the toasted pecans evenly over the prepared baking sheet.
- Pour the toffee mixture evenly over the pecans, ensuring that all the pecans are coated.
- Add Chocolate:
- While the toffee mixture is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.
- Allow the chocolate chips to sit for a couple of minutes to soften from the residual heat.
- Spread Chocolate:
- Once the chocolate chips have softened, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread them evenly over the toffee and pecans, creating a smooth chocolate layer.
- Optional: Sprinkle with Sea Salt:
- If desired, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the melted chocolate for a sweet and salty flavor contrast.
- Chill:
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or until the bark is completely set.
- Break into Pieces:
- Once set, remove the pecan pie bark from the refrigerator and break it into small, irregular pieces.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Now, you have a delicious batch of pecan pie bark ready to enjoy!
