Chewy Pecan and Chocolate Diamonds

November 29th, 2015

Pecan triangles 1

We had a festive Thanksgiving celebration with the kids this year.  My DIL Kristen is a creative cook and likes to shake things up a bit.  Instead of a traditional pecan pie, she made these Chewy Pecan and Chocolate Diamonds.  The original recipe came from Epicurious.   The shortbread crust is topped with a caramel pecan topping.  To make it even more delicious, Kristen added chocolate chips to the final baking.

Pecan triangles 2

We loved these bars.  By cutting them into diamond shapes, there are edge scraps left for the cook and other family recipients.  Your guests or gift receivers can have the pretty ones, but the scraps are a treat just for you.  I will be making these as Christmas treats.

Pumpkin Profiterol 2

 

Instead of Pumpkin Pie, we had Pumpkin Custard Profiteroles with Maple Caramel.  Rachel helped her Mom make these amazing cream puffs.Mother and Daughter cooking

Rachel Cooking

It is great to have the kids participate in the meal preparation.  Four year old Cameron also got into the act by helping with the pecan diamonds.

Thanksgiving 2015 with Cam

As the casseroles came out of the oven, Michael carved the turkey and we sat down to our delicious meal. I am thankful for my family and for all of you who follow my blog.

To get you into the Christmas spirit watch this video of Rachel.  She is a new member of a competitive jump roping team and shows lots of talent.  https://youtu.be/ly-yG94eqBU   Here is another one https://youtu.be/QQJBbWjG-F4  Our dog, Daisy seems to be enjoying the show.  Rachel’s team will be performing at Disney World and possibly at next year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

CHEWY PECAN AND CHOCOLATE DIAMONDS

INGREDIENTS

  1. Crust
    • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
    • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup cornstarch
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  2. topping
    • 1 1/4 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
    • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
    • 4 cups coarsely chopped pecans (about 14 1/2 ounces)
    • 1/2 cup whipping cream
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

PREPARATION

  1. for crust:
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, leaving 1-inch overhang on all sides. Butter foil. Blend flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch and salt in processor. Add butter and process until mixture begins to clump together. Press dough evenly onto bottom of foil-lined pan. Bake crust until set and light golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand while preparing topping. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
  2. for topping:
    1. Stir brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils; boil 1 minute. Add pecans and cream; boil until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Pour hot topping over warm crust.
    2. Bake nut-topped crust until caramel is darker and bubbles thickly, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool completely in pan (topping will harden).
    3. Lift foil out of pan onto cutting board. Using heavy sharp knife, cut crust with nut topping into 1 1/2×1-inch diamonds. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store between sheets of waxed paper in airtight container at room temperature.)

For variation, add 1 cup of chocolate chips sprinkled over the top near the end of baking time.

Printable Recipe

10 responses to “Chewy Pecan and Chocolate Diamonds”

  1. Darla says:

    So glad you has a nice Thanksgiving, Penny. We missed seeing you. Your timing was perfect in putting this recipe on your blog. Kristen brought some to Kim’s house on Friday and I am planning to make and enter them in my cookie contest at work. They are delicious!

  2. Madonna says:

    The Chewy Pecan and Chocolate Diamonds make the prettiest poinsettia.

    I love to see young ones in the kitchen. I remember helping my Grand. I had forgotten until I started blogging and it has brought back so many memories.

    Happy Thanksgiving,

    M.

  3. Larry says:

    The diamonds look delicious Penny and good that you had the family time. Can’t get those kids in the kitchen too soon.

  4. Monique says:

    Hahaha…4 yr old Cameron also got into the great jump rope act 2:) Jumping on the couch..so cute..
    No wonder Rachel is so fit and trim.I am buying a jump rope.

    I love the look of K’s Diamonds..Pinning and how beautiful that shot w/ mom and daughter:)
    And those profitéroles:)

  5. Jane says:

    These looks so yummy, I’m going to try them! And I love your family pictures.

    Happy Holidays, Penny! 🙂

    Jane xxx

  6. Katie Zeller says:

    Oh, those sound really good…. like a chocolate pecan pie

  7. Barbara says:

    Two yummy recipes, Penny! My mother made a diamond shaped cookie..always loved it when she cut them, because those corners always were left for us!

  8. Susan says:

    What a fun and delicious Thanksgiving you had! The pecan and chocolate diamonds look amazing and would love to try those for a Christmas cookie tray. What a clever idea with the pumpkin custard profiteroles too! Your right, your DIL is very creative. Look at Rachel go! Good luck to her and her team at Disney World. You can just see the concentration in her face 🙂 I love how the brother got into the act too. So cute!

  9. How nice. It sounds like you had a lovely Thanksgiving with your family. I know that everyone must have enjoyed the delicious day.

  10. Amira says:

    A lovely family indeed, one that you are blessed with, may you always have happy days together. Liked the twists you’ve been making for the traditional pies 🙂 … Sharing this on FB immediately. Thanks for the recipe, I like your blog a lot.

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