Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars are the ultimate dessert indulgence—featuring a rich cocoa crust, gooey chocolate-pecan filling, and a touch of coconut. These decadent bars are a surefire hit at any gathering
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering ingredients for Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars is a breeze—the magic is how these simple staples come together, each pulling their weight to create irresistible layers of texture and flavor. You probably have most of these in your pantry already!
- All-purpose flour: This classic pantry staple gives structure and chewiness to your crust.
- Powdered sugar: Provides a fine-grain sweetness that melts into the crust, delivering that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Cold butter, cubed: Essential for a perfectly crumbly, rich base; cold butter is the secret to flakiness here.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor right in the crust—use a dark variety for extra depth.
- Large eggs: These hold the luscious filling together, creating that gooey texture you’ll crave.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a gentle caramel note to every bite.
- Light corn syrup: Keeps the filling glossy and chewy, ensuring it sets just right.
- Melted unsalted butter: Blends into the filling for an ultra-silky richness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Pockets of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate in every square.
- Pecan halves: Heart of the bliss bars; they bring crunch, toastiness, and instant Southern charm.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Lends a chewy, slightly tropical lift that balances all that chocolate and nutty goodness.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s ready to work its magic the moment your bars hit the heat. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, making sure there’s a little overhang for easy lifting later—trust me, your future self will thank you when you’re slicing perfect squares!
Step 2: Build the Chocolate-Cocoa Crust
In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, cold butter cubes, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or even your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry mix until it becomes crumbly and there are pea-sized bits. This base is the foundation for your Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars, creating the ideal contrast to all that gooeyness.
Step 3: Bake the Base
Transfer that chocolatey mixture into your prepared pan. Press it down into an even, compact layer using the back of a spoon or your hands. Bake for about 15 minutes; it should look slightly firm but not dry. This gives your bars the structure they need to hold up to all that heavenly filling.
Step 4: Make the Gooey Filling
While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, light brown sugar, light corn syrup, and melted unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl. When smooth, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, crunchy pecan halves, and the sweetened shredded coconut. Every spoonful should be loaded—with each ingredient promising bold flavor and fantastic texture.
Step 5: Pour, Spread, and Bake Again
Once your crust is out of the oven, pour your luscious filling right over. Spread it evenly so each square is bursting with chocolate, pecans, and coconut. Return the pan to the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The center should be set but still look irresistibly shiny and slightly wobbly—it’ll firm up as it cools. Let your Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars cool completely on a rack before lifting them out and slicing.
How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar makes these bars sparkle for a special occasion, and a sprinkle of extra toasted pecans or a drizzle of melted chocolate instantly dials up their visual appeal. A few flakes of sea salt are pure magic for sophisticated palates!
Side Dishes
Pair your Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or enjoy them alongside a hot mug of coffee or cold brew. If you’re serving a crowd, add a simple fruit salad on the side—the freshness offsets the bars’ richness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack bars on a pretty platter with parchment between layers for potlucks or parties. For a cute holiday gift, wrap individual bars in wax paper and tie with string. Mini muffin cups also make fantastic single-serve presentation if you want to show off your Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars at a bake sale or dessert buffet.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If your kitchen is warm, tuck them in the fridge so they stay fresh and the chocolate stays firm.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange fully cooled bars in a single layer between sheets of parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for two months—perfect for stashing treats away for future cravings or surprise guests.
Reheating
For that just-baked experience, warm refrigerated or thawed bars gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Or pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes—just until the chocolate gets temptingly soft and gooey again. Divine!
FAQs
Can I make Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars nut-free?
Certainly! While pecans are at the heart of these bars, you can swap them for toasted pumpkin seeds or extra coconut for a delicious nut-free alternative. The texture will be different, but still wonderfully satisfying.
What’s the best way to cut these bars cleanly?
Let the Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars cool completely—overnight, if possible. Then, remove them from the pan using the parchment, and use a sharp, large knife wiped clean between cuts for perfect, bakery-style squares.
Can I use dark corn syrup instead of light?
Absolutely! Dark corn syrup will deepen the caramel notes and give a richer flavor to your filling. Just expect the bars to have a slightly darker color and bolder taste.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double these with ease for a crowd. Bake in two 9×13-inch pans or use a large sheet pan, keeping an eye on the bake time—larger batches might need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Do Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars travel well?
They’re fantastic for potlucks, picnics, or holiday cookie trays. Just arrange bars in a sturdy, airtight container with parchment between layers to prevent sticking, and you’re good to go!
Final Thoughts
With layers of chocolate, crunchy pecans, and chewy coconut, these Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars will become the reason you volunteer to bring dessert. They’re pure comfort in bar form, easy to make, and unforgettable to eat—so gather your ingredients and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to a batch of true bliss!
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Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Pecan Bliss Bars are the ultimate dessert indulgence—featuring a rich cocoa crust, gooey chocolate-pecan filling, and a touch of coconut
Ingredients
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup cold butter, cubed
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large eggs
¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup melted unsalted butter
1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 cups pecan halves
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, cubed butter, and cocoa powder until crumbly. Press into the pan to form a crust.
Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly firm.
In another bowl, whisk eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, and melted butter. Stir in chocolate chips, pecans, and shredded coconut.
Pour the filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
Bake for another 25–30 minutes until the center is set. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
For extra flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the filling. Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American