Description
Toffee Pecan Dream Bars are rich, gooey dessert bars made with a buttery cake mix crust, a creamy toffee-pecan filling, and a golden-brown finish. These indulgent layered bars offer the perfect balance of crunchy pecans, chewy toffee, and soft texture ideal for holidays, potlucks, or easy make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 package premium yellow or butter cake mix
- 1 egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Filling:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg (for extra flavor)
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, mix cake mix, egg, and softened butter with a fork until crumbly. Press evenly into the prepared pan.
- Prepare the filling: In another bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir in chopped pecans and toffee bits.
- Spread filling evenly over the crust.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the crust a crumbly texture ensures the best base.
- Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for depth.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, 1 week in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the oven to refresh texture (avoid microwaving).
- Substitute gluten-free cake mix or plant-based alternatives for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg