Dulce De Leche Bars

A creamy center fills a buttery shortbread-like crust that is covered with caramel and a pecan-coconut topping in these dreamy dulce de leche bars.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 472 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (12.5 fl oz) can dulce de leche
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.66666668653488 cup white sugar
• 0.75 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan thoroughly.

Step 2

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until combined and creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until incorporated. Scrape down sides of the bowl; beat again. Combine flour and salt; stir into butter mixture until a ball of dough forms.

Step 3

Press 2/3 dough into bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until set and light brown, about 20 minutes; keep oven on.

Step 5

Pour dulce de leche over crust, trying to keep edges mostly bare.

Step 6

Add coconut and pecans to remaining 1/3 dough; stir until incorporated. Crumble mixture over dulce de leche, pressing lightly over top.

Step 7

Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.