Even though the temps are still pushing 100 degrees outside (seriously Sacramento, get.with.it), I am trying to embrace fall.
Despite the fact that I’m still wearing denim shorts and sweating before 9am.
I’m longing for hot cider, apple picking, pumpkin everything and thick-knit sweaters and boots. Maybe if I just start wearing jeans and scarves, the weather will follow?
(Or more than likely, I’ll just suffer heat stroke while I stubbornly cling to my sweaters and cashmere socks). Nothing says ‘fall’ like sweating profusely while sipping your caramel apple spice! *sarcasm*
To help ring in fall, I figured I’d start making some fall-inspired goodies that welcome the color-changing leaves, the breezier weather and the bounty of apples and pumpkins that seem to permeate the air with spiced goodness. Even if I’m still wearing a summer dress with the AC cranked while baking it, it still counts, right? Right?!
At least, I hope it still counts. Because if these Toasted Marshmallow Caramel Butter Pecan Bars don’t count as “fall baking”, I don’t know what does.
Butter pecan is one of those underrated flavors I always seem to overlook, but when I remember it exists, it’s like the angels open up heaven’s gates and sprinkle butter pecans in my mouth so I’m reminded of this heavenly flavor. These bars are jam-packed with all of that sweet, syrupy, butter pecan flavor plus some extra deliciousness thanks to the buttery caramel and the gooey toasted marshmallow topping.
For reals, if these bars could talk, they’d insist you ate them on a bed of fallen red and orange leaves while drinking hot cocoa and wearing a cardigan. They told me so.
…or maybe that was the heat stroke.
- 1 box butter pecan cake mix
- 1 egg
- ½ cup oil
- ⅔ cup sugared or candied pecan pieces
- 1 jar (12.5 oz) caramel sundae sauce
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Grease the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg and oil with a rubber spatula until a soft dough has formed. Stir in ½ (ONE HALF) cup of the sugared pecan pieces. Spread the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake the butter pecan bars for approx. 15-18 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the center is no longer jiggly. Immediately pour the jarred caramel sauce over top of the bars and top with the miniature marshmallows and remaining sugared pecan pieces. Return the pan back to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the tops of the marshmallows are just turning brown and toasty.
- Allow the bars to cool to room temperature completely, then allow them to sit at room temperature overnight, or refrigerate them for several hours to set. If you cut into them immediately, the bars will fall apart - they need ample time (preferably overnight) to set up properly.
- Before cutting the bars, wet your knife with water for each cut to help cut through the sticky marshmallows. Cut into bars & serve!
While these bars do need ample time to set up properly (otherwise they’ll be a gooey mess!) they are absolutely worth the wait! Each bite is loaded with that syrupy sweet butter pecan flavor infused throughout, combined with the buttery rich caramel sauce and the toasted, gooey marshmallows that add a great texture to these bars! If you can’t find sugared pecans, consider looking in the ice cream sundae toppings part of the grocery store – often they’re located in a small can near the sundae toppings 🙂
Have a fantastical day!!
xo, Hayley
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
The title sounds like one of Tieghan’s recipes, but this is super simple! LOVES it! I heart butter pecan everything!
Sarah @ Sarah Cooks the Books says
I always wish that I can just comment on things and say “OH YUM!” but I guess that’s rude? 🙂
Seriously, these looks amazing. I might not even wait to let them set and just eat them with a spoon.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Yum! This definitely constitutes fall baking!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I love butter pecan! It’s my absolute favorite. Love these!!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Dude it was 105 here today. FML i want fall so badly clothing and food but I cannot fathom putting the oven on!!! UGH the struggle is REAL tooo freaking REAL! But on to the good stuff the marshmallows and caramel! NEED
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
It is so hard to be dreaming of warm fall comfort foods when it is HOT! I’moverit. fingers crossed for cooler temps for both of us soon! These bars are ah-mazing. Love butter pecans. It always makes me think of ice cream. BadLindsey. Must focus on Fall!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Dude it just started getting cooler here in NJ and I got to wear my first cardigan of the season today! Now I just need a batch of these toasty marshmallow bars to seal the deal. What an awesome autumn dessert, Hayley! 😀
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
These bars are a dream come true!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
If these bars could talk they’d say “Kayle….make me…..” because…yeah…pretty sure they’re calling my name!
Tash says
I’ve been looking for something to use marshmallows on recently!! I think I may have found the gem recipe…:D