*Make the Caramel Shards before you start making the bars so the caramel has time to cool and set and is ready to sprinkle on top by the time you are finished making the dough for the bars.
*Have everything ready to go for the Caramel Shards. There are a few seconds between a toasty caramel and a burnt sugar, so you want to be able to pour out the caramel as soon as it is ready.