This pecan pie bark has all the flavors of crunchy garasmel and pecan, and graham crackers for a snack! The ideal dessert for the holidays, as a gift or just because, it’s a deceptively simple yet decadent dessert that everyone will be excited to eat.
Why You’ll Love It:
Quick and Easy: It uses simple ingredients — all of which should be in the pantry or the fridge — and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Great for Gifting: Pack into festive tins or cellophane bags for a handmade, homemade gift around the holidays.
Buttery Delight: The buttery graham cracker crust complements the pecan topping perfectly for a luscious mouthful every time.
Versatile: As ideal for a holiday dessert table and snack tables as they are for a post-dinner sweet.
Key Ingredients:
Graham Crackers: For a classic flavor, just use standard graham crackers. Try cinnamon-flavored crackers for a warm, spiced note, for a twist.
Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. If using only salted butter, cut the added salt in half.
Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work with this recipe. Dark brown sugar for a more luxe caramel adds more molasses flavor.
Pecans: Chopped pecan halves are just right, but use finely chopped pecans if you want them smaller.
Vanilla Extract: Natural vanilla extract deepens the caramel taste and adds nuance. Do not use imitation vanilla.
The full ingredient amounts and instructions are found in the recipe card at the end of this post
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Instructions:
Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat the Oven: A baking temp of 350°F (175°C) will help set an even bake.
Line the Baking Sheet: Line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil, greasing the aluminum foil lightly with butter to allow for easy removal and cleanup.
Arrange the Graham Crackers
Layer the Crackers: Arrange graham crackers in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Break the crackers where needed to fit snugly, constituting the base layer of your bark.
Make the Caramel Mixture
Mix Together: 1 cup margarine, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan
Cook the Mixture: Place the mixture in the pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil. Bring it to a boil for 2 minutes, stirring to keep it from burning. The mixture should be bubbly and thick.
Add Vanilla: Remove from heat, and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to add depth of flavor.
Assemble the Bark
Add The Caramel: Pour the hot mixture of caramel over the arranged graham crackers. Using a spatula, even out the caramel so that that all the crackers have been coated and pecans are scattered.between crackers.
Cover End to End: Ensure that you pushed the caramel mixture all the way to the edge of the pan to cover the entire surface area evenly.
Bake the Bark
Bake: Transfer the pan to the oven and bake 10 minutes, or until caramel is bubbling and golden brown. Don’t burn, be on the lookout!
Let Set Completely: Once out of the oven, let the bark cool completely in the pan — this is necessary to allow the caramel to set up properly before you break it into pieces.
Break into Pieces
Bark: Once cooled and set break into pieces.
Enjoy: Enjoy your Pecan Pie Bark as a treat, or put it into bags or a tin as a gift.
Serving Suggestions:
Solo Treat: Pecan Pie Bark is good on its own, perfect as a party treat and for coffee breaks.
Dessert Platter: Plate elements on a dessert board and serve with fudge, holiday cookies and truffles for a spread that’s a show-stopper.
Ice Cream Topping: Crumble a bit of bark atop a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-decadent topping.
Storage/Meal Prep Tips:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. To keep them crispy, first, make sure the pieces are cool and hardened before sealing them.
Refrigeration: For a firmer texture, store the bark in the fridge. This will be good for up to 2 weeks this way and retain its crunch.
Freezing: Pecan Pie Bark can be frozen for 2 months. Place layers between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and store in a freezer-safe container or bag. Defrost at room temperature before serving.
Gift-Ready: Package the bark in decorative tin, glass jars or cellophane bags with ribbon for holiday gifts or special occasions.
Variations:
Chocolate Drizzle: After cooling, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate on the bark for another layer of flavor.
Sea Salt Finish: A quick sprinkle of flaky sea salt before the bake is done, for that sweet and salty.
Nut Mix: Along with the pecans, mix in some chopped walnuts or almonds for additional nutty flavor.
Spiced Sugar: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sugar for a warm, spiced note.
Coconut Twist: Sprinkle some shredded, unsweetened coconut over the caramel just before baking for a tropical twist.
Conclusion:
Pecan Pie Bark is the speedy solution when you want the flavor of pecan pie but don’t have a pie to make. Its crunchy, caramelized topping only adds to the appeal of each piece, which you’ll savor on its own with a hot cup of coffee, or when you give it as a gift. The recipe is simple enough for beginners, but impressive enough for any dessert table.
Pecan Pie Bark
Ingredients
- 13 graham crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups pecan halves roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil. Lightly grease the foil with butter for easy cleanup.
- Place graham crackers on the lined baking sheet in a single layer, breaking crackers as needed to fit the pan snugly.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add butter, brown sugar, chopped pecans, and salt. Stir continuously until it comes to a boil and let it boil for 2 minutes while stirring.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the graham crackers and spread with a spatula.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the caramel is bubbly and golden brown. Cool completely on the pan to allow the caramel to set.
- Once cooled, break the bark into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!