These rich and chewy Caramel Coconut Pecan Bars will make the perfect addition to your family baking projects. No one will ever believe these golden beauties start with a cake mix.
Caramel Coconut Pecan Bars
We love cookie bars at our house. I began my love of cookie bars quite young as it was one of those childhood sweet treats my Mom made often for my brothers and myself. Another life-long obsession is, my love affair with caramel. If I had to choose between chocolate and caramel? Well, there’s no contest. My heart belongs to creamy, buttery, caramel. These caramel coconut pecan bars begin with a caramel cake mix, an easy caramel filling embellished with a sprinkle of toffee, coconut and toasted pecans. Pure heaven.
Tips for Making Caramel Coconut Pecan Bars
- Caramel cake mix can be hard to come by sometimes. If you’re unable to find it, I’ve made these bars with butter pecan and yellow cake mix, too. They’re different yet, still delicious.
- Dulce de Leche is a luscious thick caramel. It’s readily available in most grocery stores in the Hispanic foods section. You can also find it in specialty food markets like World Market and Williams Sonoma.
- You may also be able to adapt this recipe with a thick caramel ice cream topping in the same amount.
- If you’d like to make your own, checkout my technique for making homemade dulce de leche in a slow cooker.
- Other caramel desserts you may enjoy are these caramel pecan turtle scotcheroos and easy caramel pecan sticky rolls.
- You may also enjoy this recipe for caramel pecan cupcakes from Garnish and Glaze.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Caramel Coconut Pecan Bars
Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan pieces toasted
- 1 15.25 oz box caramel cake mix See Cook's note
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup cold butter cubed
- 1 13.4 oz can dulce de leche
- 1 5 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup English toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread pecan pieces in a single layer on a baking pan. Toast for 6-8 minutes, then set aside to cool.
- To a medium-size mixing bowl, add the cake mix, oats and cinnamon. Sift together with a whisk.
- Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a hand mixer, food processor, or by hand using a pastry blender. Continue until all of the butter is incorporated and the mixture is crumbly. Separate out 1 cup and keep chilled.
- Press the remaining mixture into an 13 x 9 inch non stick metal pan that has been sprayed with a baking spray.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the edges begin to brown.
- Meanwhile, using an electric mixer or a whisk, whip together dulce de leche, evaporated milk, egg and salt.
- Layer the pecans, toffee bits and coconut over the crust. Drizzle the caramel filling evenly on top.
- Crumble reserved chilled streusal topping and place back into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely in the pan on a baking rack before cutting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- If you're unable to find caramel cake mix you can adapt using butter pecan or yellow cake mix. They're different yet, still delicious.
- Dulce de Leche is a luscious thick caramel. It's readily available at most grocery stores in the Hispanic foods section.
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Hi, thanks for stopping by to visit my website My name is Melissa, I’m a busy Mom, author, recipe developer, photographer, food writer and blogger. I’m passionate about creating delicious dishes to share with family and friends!
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Linda says
Looks lovely Melissa. Thanks for the tip on the dulce de leche. I’ll be looking for it in my international aisle:)
Melissa says
It’s one of my favorite things ever, hope you can find it! 🙂
Linda says
I checked last night Melissa. They have the Nestles brand (similar packaging) but in English it says “Sweetened Condensed Milk” so I don’t think it’s the same thing you posted. I’ll keep looking.
Melissa says
Hey Linda, I know exactly what you’re talking about…it looks almost exactly the same however, the dulce will be clearly marked, “Dulce de leche” Good catch! Walmart even carries it here in our area. Hope you can find it. 🙂
Teresa Shannon says
I have made Dulce de Leche before by using a can of sweetened condensed milk, cooking it in the can.Remove the label,poke a couple of holes in the top of the can. Place the can in a saucepan and fill with water to near the top of the can. Let the pot and can simmer gently for about one and a half to two hours for runny dulce de leche, or up to four hours for solid dulce de leche. Add more water, as necessary, when the level boils down too much.
When it’s done, let it cool for a while, and then carefully open the can completely and eat directly (for the solid variety) or use as a dessert spread (for the liquid variety).
The resulting product should be colored tan or brown.
Melissa says
Hi Teresa, thanks for sharing your technique. For years, I made dulce in a very similar manner, but, now that it’s readily available and so affordable, I most often purchase it. It’s also available at speciality stores like World Market. Thanks for your visit, Melissa
christine says
I can’t find the Carmel Cake mix, what do you recommend as substitute?
Melissa says
Ah that’s too bad! You could use a yellow or butter pecan in a pinch. The bars will have a slightly different flavor but will still be tasty.
Carole Darroch says
THE CAKE MIX IS IT CARAMEL APPLE BY DUNCAN HINES ?
Melissa says
It’s actually just caramel cake mix. I’ve found it at my local Walmart and Food Lion. If you’re unable to find it, you could likely adapt using the Caramel Apple or even Butter Pecan in a pinch.