Bourbon Caramel Pecan Bars - Recipes | Go Bold With Butter (2024)

Bourbon Caramel Pecan Bars - Recipes | Go Bold With Butter (1)

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Abigail R.

The 3rd Place winner in the 2021 Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest is a buttery, caramelly and chocolatey shortbread delight by Abigail R. With bourbon in the caramel filling and ganache topping, you’re in for quite the treat.

3 hr 5 min Prep Time

25 min Cook Time

  • Prep Time: 3 hr 5 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min

Ingredients

  • Shortbread Cookie Base:

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Bourbon Caramel Filling:

  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • Bourbon Ganache Topping:

  • 6 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped, for topping
  • Flaky salt, for topping

Instructions

Shortbread Cookie Base:

Step 1

Prepare an 8x8” or 9x9” square baking dish by spraying the bottom and edges with baking spray. Then with two long opposing pieces of parchment paper, line the pan so there is parchment overlapping each side.

Step 2

Whisk together flour and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add an egg yolk and mix until combined. Add cream and vanilla, followed by the flour and salt mixture. Beat until dough starts to come together.

Step 3

Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 4

Bake the cookie base for 25 minutes until the cookie begins to look golden brown around the edges. Let cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before making the caramel.

Bourbon Caramel Filling:

Step 5

Combine the melted butter, cream, bourbon and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 6

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Wipe down sides with damp pastry brush. Let the mixture cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until it turns to a dark amber color. Remove from heat and slowly add the butter mixture to the caramel, constantly whisking. Once the caramel mixture is combined, return to heat and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until a deep caramel color. Pour over the shortbread. Cool in the refrigerator at least a half hour before topping with ganache.

Bourbon Chocolate Ganache:

Step 7

Combine the chopped dark chocolate and corn syrup in a small bowl. Bring cream to a simmer in a small saucepan then pour over the chocolate mixture. Let sit for 1 minute. Whisk together the cream and chocolate mixture. Whisk in a tablespoon of bourbon. Pour over the caramel layer. Top ganache with flaky salt and chopped pecans. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 8

Once the ganache layer has set, cut the cookie bars into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve cookie bars at room temperature. Enjoy!

Bourbon Caramel Pecan Bars - Recipes | Go Bold With Butter (2)

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Reviews & Tips

4.5 (2 Reviews)

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Christine
If you don't have bourbon, try substituting brandy, cognac, Irish whisky, Amaretto (and use almonds instead of pecans), Frangelico (use hazelnuts instead of pecans), or a blended whiskey like Seagram's 7.

Gail G
What can I substitute for the bourbon in the Bourbon Caramel cookies? I don’t have any of that on hand.

Write a Review

Bourbon Caramel Pecan Bars - Recipes | Go Bold With Butter (2024)

FAQs

How long do you soak pecans in bourbon? ›

It's pretty much agreed that the minimum soaking time for bourbon in pecans is 30 minutes, especially when making glazed or candied bourbon pecans. For a more intense nutty flavor and crisp texture, lightly toast the pecans first; six to eight minutes should do the trick.

What bourbon is best for pecan pie? ›

The 5 Best Whiskeys for Pecan Pie
  • Old Grand-Dad 114 $30.
  • Rittenhouse 100 $22. Piquant with a malty-sweet finish, this whiskey's vanilla and cinnamon spice flavors will complement flaky pastry crust. ...
  • Wild Turkey 101 $20. ...
  • Old Overholt $15. ...
  • Elijah Craig Barrel Proof $100.
Oct 6, 2016

What does soaking pecans do? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

Should I soak pecans before baking? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

Is Crown Royal a bourbon? ›

Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name 'Bourbon Mash'.

How long does pecan soaking take? ›

Drain, Rinse, and Roast - After soaking your pecan nuts for about 8 hours, it's time to drain and rinse them. Once you're done with that, spread them over a baking sheet or dehydrator evenly to get them ready for roasting.

How long to soak pecans before eating? ›

Preparation:
  1. Place the pecans and salt in a large glass or stainless steel bowl along with 8 cups of water. The pecans will swell during the soaking process, so you want enough water to keep them covered.
  2. Leave them on the counter to soak for 4-8 hours. ...
  3. After they are done soaking, drain and rinse in a colander.

How long does it take to soak pecans? ›

Soaking Nuts and Seeds Chart
NUT/SEEDSOAKING TIMEDEHYDRATING TEMP.
Pecans7 hours95-100°F
Pine nuts7 hours95-100°F
Pumpkin Seeds7 hours95-100°F
Sunflower seeds7 hours95-100°F
7 more rows

How long do you soak nuts to activate? ›

Activating Nuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Dissolve salt in water—enough to cover your nuts.
  2. Put the nuts in a large bowl and cover them with the saltwater solution.
  3. Soak nuts for 3 to 24 hours, depending on the type.
  4. Strain and rinse the soaked nuts, then pat them dry.
Apr 28, 2023

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