Chocolate Orange Pecan Bars (Vegan)
These delicious pecan bars combine a chocolatey, orange pecan top with a buttery, orange shortbread bottom. They are minimal effort, dairy-free, and oh so delicious.
Ingredients
Shortbread Base
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp /255 grams all purpose flour
- 150 grams / 10 sheets graham crackers - finely crushed
- 12 tbsp / 168 grams plant based butter with salt - cubed and cold
- 6 tbsp / 72 grams brown sugar
- 1½ tsp orange zest
Pecan Layer
- 2½ cups pecans - roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup plant based sweetened condensed milk - I used Nature's Charm sweetened condensed Oatmilk
- 4 tbsp plant based butter with salt
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 20 grams dark chocolate - I use Lindt Excellence 70% bar
- 20 grams milk chocolate - I used Lindt Classic Recipe Oatmilk
- 2 tsp orange zest
Instructions
Shortbread Base
- Preheat the oven to 325F and line an 8x8 square pan with parchment paper.
- To a medium bowl, add the flour, crushed graham crackers, sugar, and orange zest; whisk to fully combine. Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl and cut the butter in until you have achieved a pebble like consistency.
- Add the shortbread dough to the prepared pan; spreading it out evenly and pressing it down. Using a fork, poke holes across the surface of the shortbread before placing it in the oven. Bake the base for 15 minutes. After removing the base from the oven, leave the oven on at 325F for the next step.
Pecan Layer
- Start preparing the pecan filling while the base is baking. In a medium pot, add the sweetened condensed milk, butter, sugar, orange zest, dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Place the pot over medium heat. Stir the ingredients as the butter and chocolate begin to melt; continue stirring until all ingredients are melted and fully combined. Remove the pot from the heat and add the pecans; fold the pecans into the mixture until all the pecans are fully coated.
- Pour the pecan layer over the shortbread layer. Make sure that it is spread out evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes (oven should still be at 325F).
- Once out of the oven, allow the bars to cool in the ban for 20 to 30 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- The bars are ready to be served once they cool to room temperature. A little orange zest can be sprinkled across the top for a final look.Store the bars in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.