Pecan Pie Bark

by
Looking for a quick and irresistible holiday treat? This Pecan Pie Bark is the perfect answer. Made with buttery caramel, crunchy pecans, and a crisp cracker base, it tastes just like pecan pie but in candy form. It’s easy to make in under an hour, requires simple ingredients, and is perfect for gift-giving, cookie trays, or just snacking during the holidays. The beauty of pecan pie bark is its simplicity—you don’t need a pie crust or hours in the kitchen. Just layer crackers, pour on caramel, bake, and break into crunchy, gooey pieces. Ingredients 1 sleeve graham crackers or saltine crackers (about 12–14) 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups chopped pecans 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional) Pinch of salt 1/2 cup melted chocolate (optional, for drizzling) Preparation Steps Step 1: Preheat Oven Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Step 2: Layer Crackers Arrange crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Step 3: Make Caramel In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Step 4: Add Pecans Pour caramel mixture evenly over crackers. Sprinkle chopped pecans, cinnamon, and salt on top. Step 5: Bake Bake for 10–12 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Step 6: Cool and Break Allow to cool completely. Break into bark pieces. Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate before cooling. Variation Chocolate Pecan Pie Bark: Spread melted chocolate over the top after baking. Maple Pecan Bark: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a twist. Spiced Bark: Add nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin spice to the caramel. Salted Caramel Bark: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt after baking. Cooking Notes Use parchment paper for easy removal. Watch carefully while baking to avoid burning the caramel. Break into rustic pieces once cooled—it’s meant to look fun and homemade. Serving Suggestions Add to holiday cookie platters or gift tins. Serve with coffee or hot chocolate. Pack in decorative bags for edible gifts. Tips Toast pecans before adding for a richer flavor. Use saltines for a salty-sweet version, or graham crackers for more sweetness. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 12 minutes Total Time: ~45 minutes (includes cooling) Nutritional Info (per piece, approx. 24 pieces) Calories: 180 Protein: 2g Carbs: 20g Fat: 11g Sodium: 90mg FAQs Q1: Can I use honey instead of brown sugar? Yes, but the texture will be slightly softer than classic caramel. Q2: Can I freeze pecan pie bark? Yes, freeze in layers with parchment paper for up to 2 months. Q3: Can I make this nut-free? Yes, use sunflower seeds or leave out nuts entirely for a toffee-only bark. Q4: Do I need a candy thermometer? No, just boil the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes for perfect caramel. Q5: Can I make it ahead of time? Yes, it stores well at room temperature for a week and is perfect for make-ahead holiday treats. Conclusion This Pecan Pie Bark is a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing treat that brings all the flavors of pecan pie into a crunchy candy form. With its buttery caramel, toasted pecans, and crispy base, it’s perfect for holidays, gift-giving, or anytime you need a sweet Southern-inspired snack. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it every holiday season!

Looking for a quick and irresistible holiday treat? This Pecan Pie Bark is the perfect answer. Made with buttery caramel, crunchy pecans, and a crisp cracker base, it tastes just like pecan pie but in candy form. It’s easy to make in under an hour, requires simple ingredients, and is perfect for gift-giving, cookie trays, or just snacking during the holidays.

The beauty of pecan pie bark is its simplicity—you don’t need a pie crust or hours in the kitchen. Just layer crackers, pour on caramel, bake, and break into crunchy, gooey pieces.

Ingredients

  • 1 sleeve graham crackers or saltine crackers (about 12–14)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup melted chocolate (optional, for drizzling)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Preheat Oven

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Step 2: Layer Crackers

  • Arrange crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Make Caramel

  • In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Step 4: Add Pecans

  • Pour caramel mixture evenly over crackers. Sprinkle chopped pecans, cinnamon, and salt on top.

Step 5: Bake

  • Bake for 10–12 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Cool and Break

  • Allow to cool completely. Break into bark pieces. Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate before cooling.

Variation

  • Chocolate Pecan Pie Bark: Spread melted chocolate over the top after baking.
  • Maple Pecan Bark: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a twist.
  • Spiced Bark: Add nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin spice to the caramel.
  • Salted Caramel Bark: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt after baking.

Cooking Notes

  • Use parchment paper for easy removal.
  • Watch carefully while baking to avoid burning the caramel.
  • Break into rustic pieces once cooled—it’s meant to look fun and homemade.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add to holiday cookie platters or gift tins.
  • Serve with coffee or hot chocolate.
  • Pack in decorative bags for edible gifts.

Tips

  • Toast pecans before adding for a richer flavor.
  • Use saltines for a salty-sweet version, or graham crackers for more sweetness.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: ~45 minutes (includes cooling)

Nutritional Info (per piece, approx. 24 pieces)

  • Calories: 180
  • Protein: 2g
  • Carbs: 20g
  • Fat: 11g
  • Sodium: 90mg

FAQs

Q1: Can I use honey instead of brown sugar?

  • Yes, but the texture will be slightly softer than classic caramel.

Q2: Can I freeze pecan pie bark?

  • Yes, freeze in layers with parchment paper for up to 2 months.

Q3: Can I make this nut-free?

  • Yes, use sunflower seeds or leave out nuts entirely for a toffee-only bark.

Q4: Do I need a candy thermometer?

  • No, just boil the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes for perfect caramel.

Q5: Can I make it ahead of time?

  • Yes, it stores well at room temperature for a week and is perfect for make-ahead holiday treats.

Conclusion

This Pecan Pie Bark is a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing treat that brings all the flavors of pecan pie into a crunchy candy form. With its buttery caramel, toasted pecans, and crispy base, it’s perfect for holidays, gift-giving, or anytime you need a sweet Southern-inspired snack. Once you try it, you’ll want to make it every holiday season!

Leave a Comment