8/26/08

coconut-caramel pecan shortbread bars

CCP Shortbread 6a
For those of you that watch football you know that one saying the announcer says before Monday Night Football. The one where he says "Are you ready for some foooooootbaaaalll!" I love that part. And then I can change the channel. Maybe if I understood the game of football I might appreciate it. It just seems all the football players do is get in a nice straight line, shout something out, then all run into a pile. When I bite into one of these caramel coconut goodies all I can hear is: "are you ready for some shhhhhhortbreaddddd!" These bars were amazing. They remind me of a samoa cookie in bar form with extra shortbread; if a samoa cookie were to mix with a twix bar.  Yes, that's it! The caramel and coconut melded so nicely together on top of the slightly salty shortbread. caramel-coconut pecan shortbread bars
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2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp.
1 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
¼ cup of toasted pecans
20 ounces soft caramel candies (or make your own caramel sauce)
5 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups shredded coconut, toasted
1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted

Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together.
Press evenly into a 8 x 8 non-stick baking dish. Then sprinkle the chopped pecans over the dough (do not press into dough). Bake until lightly golden, 30 – 40 minutes, depending on oven (mine took 35). The shortbread might be a still a little soft, that’s ok. Recipe by Dawn Finicane of vanillakitchen.blogspot.com It hardens when it cools down.
You are looking for a very light golden brown. (this is not a cookie so you don’t want brown edges).
In a medium saucepan, melt the caramels with the cream and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt over medium heat.
Stir in the coconut, then spread over the shortbread. Let this cool before adding the chocolate. (I put it in the fridge to cool). I put the melted chocolate into a plastic bag, closed it up then snipped off a small tip at corner and drizzled the chocolate on that way.
Let cool completely before slicing.
This is really hard to slice when cooled, so use a sharp knife that is warmed up before slicing (run under hot water).
cook notes: If you don’t have a non-stick pan, then line your pan with foil (plus the edges) as you will need help removing this from the pan; caramel makes it stick. I found that removing this from the pan then slicing it on a cutting board was much easier than cutting it in the pan.
The next time I make this I might want to incorporate a layer of chunky peanut butter somewhere.
You can also make your own caramel sauce for these, I just didn't have time to.

36 comments:

  1. I know I'M sure ready for some of that decadent-looking shortbread!! :0)

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  2. I'm soooooooo ready for some shortbreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeead! I also don't like football, I don't get it! I'm a soccer girl! Not a soccer mom, just a soccer girl! These bars look amazing, I love love love all the flavours!

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  3. I try not to comment on blogs and just say YUM, because I get tired of reading it, but my goodness these look sooooo good!! I might make these for the next retreat I go on so other people can eat them, and I'll enjoy their oohs and ahhhs!

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  4. I have such a weakness for coconut, these look sooooo good!!

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  5. These look like they came out of a professional bakery, Dawn. Can you send some to me? I do the same thing: I just send all the fattening stuff away so I don't indulge. These are on the atkins diet, right? ha ha.

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  6. Dawn, these sound amazing! Kinda like those girl scout cookies with caramel and coconut. Remember those? Now I want cookies.

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  7. My husband, our resident sweet tooth, will salivate if he sees these photos! I love passing along recipes that I think he can make and that I know he will enjoy.

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  8. How can we hate you when you make such lovely, wonderful things. I love these!

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  9. whoa, those look pretty awesome! yum.

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  10. OMG wow! Just wow, I bet the taste is just incredible! It looks amazing, like the perfect little treat.

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  11. I'm still laughing my head off about your comment about sending them off and letting the coworkers get fat. Classic! Those look soo good. How long can I hold myself off before I must make them?

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  12. What a great shortbread bar recipe! You make them look fantastic. Great photos!

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  13. OH YES!!I will be making these! Shortbread is delish..and to add chocolate and caramel>>>YUM

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  14. yeah, these would definitely be worth hanging on to--i doubt i would share at all. and tom brady is kind of hot? he's the only reason i would ever root for the pats. :)

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  15. Wow, Dawn... those shortbreads are worth the fat. You combined chocolate, caramel, AND coconut. Talk about a wham-bam combo :) No, this is yummier and yummier...

    While I'd admit shortbread is maybe a girly cookie, what if I watch my beloved football while eating them? Maybe that balances it all out :)

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  16. Saw your comment on my blog: Yep, soymilk would work just fine in the recipe :0)

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  17. These look so heavenly!!! Question though. I'm originally from the states but I am living in Canada. :( Their sticks of butter are bigger then ours so can you give me a measurement in cups? Thanks :)

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  18. I am ready for football and your shortbread!! I think they will go great together!

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  19. Hey, I'm one of the hubby's coworkers! I did get to try a piece of this dessert and it is now one of my all time favorites! I'm not exaggerating. It was fabulous!

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  20. Yummy pecan, I am hungry now!

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  21. That looks so good! I like the chocolate drizzle.

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  22. I love how your shortbread turned out! Your brilliance shines through by using chocolate and caramel! A girl after my own heart!

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  23. oh my... those look sooooo good! I am ready for some short breaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!

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  24. Oh, goodness, I can see the specks of butter in the shortbread, just taunting me :) Those look so gooey and delicious! And I just ate a panna cotta, this can't be good for me! :D

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  25. this shortbread looks awesome delicious and yummmmmy! :)

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  26. Coconut, caramel, pecans, shortbread. Heaven, pure heaven.

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  27. Hey Dawn, first time on your blog. And first thing that caught my eyes was the shortbread. Lovely pics! I am a dessert fanatic, so this would be up on my list :)

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  28. Oh yeeeeaaaahhhh! Those look awesome - anything with coconut is great in my book and I love love love shortbread!

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  29. OMG! I am Ready for some shortbread. These remind me of somoas Girl Scout cookies which I love.

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  30. I think I am in love. These look amazing and include all of my favorite things. Great recipe.

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  31. Oh yeah, I'm ready--for football and shortbread!

    And this:

    "It just seems all the football players do is get in a nice straight line, shout something out, then all run into a pile..."

    made me laugh out loud! hahaha!!! I used to feel that way, too, but my husband is patient and answered all of my questions, and now I get it. And Tom Brady? Yeah, I'm ready for him, too. ;)

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  32. It looks too good to be truth. I have such a sweet tooth.

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  33. Haha, I love the image with the football song. I'm ready for some shortbread now... yum!

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  34. I shall have a dozen please, I feel a bit sluggish today.Delectable!!

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  35. Samoas are my favorite girl scout cookie and twix was my favorite candy bar as a kid. What are you doing to me? I am cutting out sweets this week :)

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