Dulce De Leche Bars

A creamy center fills a shortbread-like buttery crust with a crumble-pecan coconut topping. This is a favorite with my family, boyfriend and at my workplace (a bakery!). Best served cool or room temperature.

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

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (12.5 fl oz) can dulce de leche
• ¾ 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

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 6

Add coconut and pecans to the remaining dough and mix until incorporated. Crumble mixture over the dulce de leche, pressing it lightly over the top.

Step 7

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