Famous Carolina Pecan Bars

Desserts that come from the South are usually traditions that have passed down from generation to generation. These famous Carolina Pecan Bars are no different.

Loaded with a buttery flavor, tons of pecans, these will stick in your memory forever! These Carolina Pecan bars are more of a cookie than a bar. Deliciously rich and decadent, they will please you from your head to your toes.

As ordinary as the recipe seems as you begin to make the bars, you will find that the bars are far from ordinary.

Simple directions will turn this dessert into something so different, so rich and so tasty and yet you will think that you are making a normal cake.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Can I use a different nut?

The recipe calls for pecans, and I am not sure the taste or flavor will be anywhere near the same if you use a different nut.

            Can I keep these bars on the counter?

These bars taste so much richer and decadent when they are served cold. I do highly recommend covering them tightly and storing them in the refrigerator until you want to serve them.

            How long will these bars last?

The bars will last for 5 to 7 days when kept in the refrigerator. If they are left on the counter, the life span is 3 to 4 days. The refrigerator keeps them fresh longer.

What do you need to make Famous Carolina Pecan Bars

Cake:

            3 cups flour

            2 tsp baking powder

            1 tsp salt

            1 tsp Maple extract

            2 tsp vanilla extract

            4 eggs, room temperature

            1 cup butter, unsalted

            2 cups white sugar

            1 tbsp butter

            1 ½ cups pecans, roughly chopped

Frosting:

            6 cups Confectioners Sugar

            12 ounces Cream Cheese, softened

            ⅔ cup butter

            1 tsp vanilla extract

            1 tsp Maple extract

            1 to 2 tbsp Milk

How to make Famous Carolina Pecan Bars

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Grease a 9×13 baking pan

In a small skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter, then add the chopped pecans and stir until toasted

Remove from heat

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup butter and sugar. Beat until fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each

Then add the Vanilla extract and the Maple extract

SECOND STEP:

In another bowl combine the flour, salt and baking powder

Slowly add the dry mix into the wet mixture, alternate mixing in the 1 cup Milk

Mix until just combined, then gently fold in the pecans

THIRD STEP:

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean

As the cake bakes, prepare the frosting

Combine the Confectioners Sugar, Cream Cheese and ⅔ cup butter, vanilla extract and maple extract. Beat until smooth, adding just enough milk to make the consistency you want

When the cake is done, and has cooled  enough to handle it, divide the cake in half

Take one half of the cake and crumble it into a large bowl, stir in ¼ of the frosting

Repeat this process with the second half of the cake

Transfer all the cake crumble back into the baking pan and press into an even layer

a)

b)

Top this pressed layer with the remaining frosting

Sprinkle with chopped pecan pieces to garnish

Refrigerate until fully set, about 4 hours or overnight

Cut into small squares and serve chilled

YAY!

Enjoy!

YUM!