Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bark Food

CHEWY CARAMEL TURTLE BARK

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pecan halves across the paper in a single layer. Set the tray of pecans near the stove. Combine the butter, sugar, honey, milk and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat. When the mixture has melted together and is smooth, increase the heat to medium high and continue stirring constantly with a heat proof spatula or wooden spoon. The mixture should come to a rolling boil. Let it cook until the temperature reaches 230-235 degrees, this took less than 5 minutes on my stove. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the caramel mixture over the pecans in an even layer. Use a spatula to spread it across if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so, until the caramel is cool. Melt the chocolate and the oil in a small mixing bowl in the microwave. 50% power for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes, stopping to stir after the first minute and then every 30 seconds as needed. When most of the chocolate has melted and you are able to stir it, remove from the microwave and stir until smooth, it will continue melting as it rests.
• Pour the chocolate over the top of the caramel and pecans and spread across the caramel with a spatula. Chill in the refrigerator an additional 30 minutes, until the chocolate is firm. Remove from the refrigerator and use the parchment paper to lift the bark onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice into pieces. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Prepare a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Set aside.
• Place two-thirds of the bag of chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 15-30 seconds intervals, stirring each time, until chips are completely melted. This will take about 2 minutes total, but watch carefully the last 45 seconds. (If using a thermometer to take temperature it should read 110-115ºF / 43-48ºC)
• Add the remaining one-third of the bag of chocolate and stir to combine and melt. Continue to stir until all the chocolate is melted, smooth, and glossy. Don't be tempted to put it back in the microwave to finish melting added chips. Let it sit a minute and stir again. It will eventually melt from the residual heat. (If using thermometer to take temperature it should read 88-90ºF / 31-33ºC )
• Pour melted chocolate on prepared baking sheet, RESERVING 2-3 TABLESPOONS TO DRIZZLE ON TOP. Use an offset spatula to spread chocolate to about 1/4" thick. Set aside while melting caramel.
• Place unwrapped caramels and milk in another microwave safe bowl. Melt on high in 30 second intervals until mixture is hot throughout, but caramels are about 50% melted. Remove for microwave and stir until smooth and caramels fully melt. This will take up to a minute of stirring. Drizzle caramel over chocolate layer. (CHOCOLATE DOES NOT NEED TO BE SET BEFORE DRIZZLING ON CARAMEL)
• Immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans and drizzle with remaining chocolate (can reheat chocolate for a bit it has started to harden). Sprinkle drizzled chocolate with fleur de sel or coarse sea salt.
• Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes, or until set. Do not break into pieces until chocolate is completely set. Remove from refrigerator to serve and store or caramel will become hard.

SALTED CARAMEL PECAN BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
• Line a 15-by-10-inch jelly-roll pan or a 9.5-by-13-inch casserole dish with aluminum foil; lightly grease the foil with baking spray. Arrange the graham crackers in a single layer in the prepared pan, slightly overlapping the edges.
• Combine the sugar, butter and cream in a medium-size heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat and stir in the vanilla and pecans. Pour the butter mixture over the crackers, spreading to coat.
• Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Immediately sprinkle with the salt, lift the foil from the pan and slide the bark off the foil onto a wire rack. Cool completely, 30 minutes to an hour. Break into bite-size pieces.

CARAMEL-CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In food processor, place 2/3 cup pecans. Cover; process until finely ground. In large bowl, beat ground pecans, cookie mix, butter and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until soft dough forms.
• Shape dough into 24 (1-inch) balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Place 1 pecan half on top of each ball.
• Bake 10 minutes or until golden. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool completely.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring once, until softened and chips can be stirred smooth. Drizzle caramel mixture and melted chocolate over cookies. Sprinkle with salt.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL-PECAN PRETZEL BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Put the pecan halves on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake, shaking the sheet once halfway through, until lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a plate to cool.
• Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzels neatly on the baking sheet, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped caramel. Bake until the caramels soften (but are definitely not melting), 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press a pecan half onto each caramel, just enough for the caramel to fill the pretzel. Set aside to cool completely.
• Remove the cooled pretzel/caramels from the baking sheet. Spoon 24 small dollops (1 1/2-teaspoon helpings) of the melted chocolate all over the baking sheet, then lightly drop a pretzel onto the middle of each dollop, making sure the pretzel is centered. Allow them to cool completely before serving (you can hasten this along in the fridge).

CHOCOLATE, PECAN, AND CARAMEL TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend crackers and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter; process until moist clumps form. Press mixture firmly over bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Bake crust until golden and firm, about 7 minutes. Cool completely on rack.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted and smooth. Pour chocolate into tart crust. Using small metal spatula, spread over bottom of crust. Arrange 1 1/2 cups pecans in single layer over chocolate.
• Mix 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high; boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 3/4 cup cream and 2 tablespoons butter (mixture will bubble vigorously). Set over low heat; stir until caramel is smooth, about 1 minute. Pour over pecans atop chocolate in crust. Chill until set, about 45 minutes. Stir milk chocolate and 1/4 cup cream in heavy saucepan over low heat until smooth. Pour over caramel; spread evenly. Arrange 1/2 cup pecans around edge of tart. Chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Grease a 9-inch square pan.
• In medium bowl, combine 1/2 c powdered sugar, 1/2 c butter and 1 tablespoon whipping cream.
• Blend well.
• Lightly spoon the flour into measuring cup and level off.
• Add the flour to the powdered sugar mixture and mix until crumbly.
• With floured hands, press evenly in the greased pan.
• Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until firm to touch.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine caramels and 1/3 cup whipping cream.
• Cook over low heat until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and add pecans, stirring well to coat.
• Immediately spoon over the baked crust (spread carefully to cover).
• Over low heat, in a small saucepan, melt 1 teaspoon butter and chocolate chips, stirring constantly.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons whipping cream and drizzle over the filling.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until the filling is firm.
• Cut into bars.

CARAMEL-PECAN CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (if using dark or nonstick pan, heat oven to 325°). Grease bottom and side of 10-inch springform pan with shortening. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, water, oil and 2 eggs until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread in pan.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until puffed in center and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup whipping cream and the caramels over medium heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted. Stir small amount of the hot mixture into beaten egg, then stir egg back into mixture in saucepan. Cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in pecans. Spread over brownie. Refrigerate uncovered at least 3 hours until chilled.
• Run metal spatula around side of pan to loosen dessert; remove side of pan. Transfer dessert on pan base to serving plate. In chilled small bowl, beat 3/4 cup whipping cream and the powdered sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream in 12 dollops around edge of dessert. Cut into wedges to serve. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE PECAN BARK

Steps:

• Microwave semi-sweet and white chocolates in separate microwavable bowls on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolates are almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolates are completely melted.
• Stir 1/2 cup nuts into each chocolate. Alternately spoon chocolate mixtures onto wax paper-covered baking sheet or tray; swirl with knife several times for marble effect.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.