Best Celestial Bars Recipes

PECAN SQUARES

Pecan Squares image

We make these all year long and when we want to go "over the top" we dip half of each square in warm chocolate.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories dessert

Time 55m

Yield 20 large squares

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 extra-large eggs
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound unsalted butter
1 cup good honey
3 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.
For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

CELESTIAL BARS

Celestial Bars image

My aunt gave me the recipe for these wonderfully nutty bars. With their marbled base, fluffy icing and pretty chocolate glaze, they're the stars of bake sales, cookie gift packs and parties.

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Time 55m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

⅓ cup butter (no substitutes), softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
3 large eggs eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups chopped pecans
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
½ cup butter (no substitutes), softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening

Steps:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add extracts. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans. Divide batter in half; stir chocolate into one portion. Alternately spoon plain and chocolate batters into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Swirl with a knife (the batter will be thick). Bake at 350 degrees F for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely. For icing, cream butter and confectioners' sugar in a mixing bowl. Add milk and vanilla; mix until smooth. Spread over bars. For glaze, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave or double boiler. Drizzle over bars. Let stand until chocolate is completely set before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.2 calories, Carbohydrate 22.5 g, Cholesterol 20.2 mg, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 51 mg, Sugar 17.4 g