My father-in-law happened to stop by while these were still on the counter

These Caramel Pecan Dream Bars are a delightful dessert with a buttery crust, a rich caramel layer, and a crunchy pecan topping. They’re perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and are sure to be a hit at potlucks and bake sales!

Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients (in a table) and simple instructions to create these dreamy bars:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

For the Caramel Layer:

For the Pecan Topping:

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

2. Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, softened margarine, and egg. Mix well until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Create the Caramel Layer: While the crust cools, heat the caramel candies and heavy cream together in a microwave-safe bowl. Use 30-second intervals, stirring in between each heat session, until the caramels are melted and smooth. Pour the melted caramel mixture over the cooled crust and spread it out evenly.

5. Prepare the Pecan Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the chopped pecans, granulated sugar, softened margarine, and flour until everything is well combined.

6. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the caramel layer. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the pecan topping is golden brown and caramelized.

7. Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• For a richer caramel flavor, substitute dark brown sugar for some of the granulated sugar in the pecan topping.
• You can use chopped walnuts or another nut of your choice instead of pecans.
• Let the bars cool completely to allow the caramel layer to set for easier cutting.