Preheat and Prepare: Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan generously with nonstick spray to ensure easy release of the bars after baking.
Crust Creation: In a mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, soft margarine, and egg. Stir until well mixed. The mixture will be thick and dough-like. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, forming the base of your dream bars.
Filling: Open the can of sweetened condensed milk and pour it over the crust layer. Sprinkle the chopped pecans and bits o’ Brickle chips evenly over the sweetened condensed milk, creating a rich and textured topping.
Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The filling should be bubbly and slightly golden around the edges, while the crust should be firm and lightly browned.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them into squares. This rest period not only makes them easier to slice but also helps the layers to set, resulting in a cleaner cut.
Serving Suggestions:
These Caramel Pecan Dream Bars are fantastic on their own, but for an added touch of indulgence, consider serving them slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast of warm, gooey bars with cold, creamy ice cream is truly irresistible.
