When my friend tasted this recipe, her words were ‘holy moly’

Carolina Pecan Bars with Frosting are a mouthwatering dessert that combines the nutty goodness of pecans with a rich and creamy frosting. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply craving a sweet indulgence, these bars are sure to impress. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making these irresistible treats step by step.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Toasting the Pecans

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Toast the chopped pecans with 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Once fragrant, remove from heat and set aside.

Preparing the Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup of unsalted butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, incorporate the vanilla and maple extracts.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with 1 cup of milk. Fold in the toasted pecans until evenly distributed.

Baking and Frosting

1. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. While the bars are baking, prepare the frosting by beating together powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, additional butter, vanilla extract, and maple extract until smooth. Add enough milk to achieve a spreadable consistency.
4. Once the bars are baked and cooled, crumble half of the cake and mix it with ¼ of the frosting. Repeat with the other half.
5. Press the cake crumble back into the baking dish and spread the remaining frosting over the top.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set.
7. Slice into small squares and serve chilled.