Turtle Bars

Turtle Bars: A Decadent Treat with Caramel, Pecans, and Chocolate

If you’re a fan of rich, buttery desserts with the perfect blend of caramel, chocolate, and crunchy pecans, these Turtle Bars will become your new favorite treat! These bars are easy to make and offer layers of deliciousness—starting with a buttery brown sugar crust, a caramel-pecan filling, and finished with a smooth milk chocolate topping. Whether you’re looking for a dessert for special occasions or just a sweet indulgence, these turtle bars are a sure hit.

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened

Turtle Layer:

• ⅔ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup pecan halves

Chocolate Topping:

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is hot and ready when the turtle bars go in to bake.

2. Make the Crust:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and softened butter. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat the ingredients until the mixture resembles fine crumbs, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Press the crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan. This will form the base of your turtle bars.

3. Prepare the Turtle Layer:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ⅔ cup of butter along with ½ cup of brown sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture begins to bubble throughout.
• Continue stirring the bubbling mixture for another 30 to 60 seconds to achieve the perfect caramel consistency. Remove from heat.

4. Assemble the Layers:

• Evenly distribute the pecan halves over the crust layer in the baking pan.
• Pour the hot caramel mixture over the pecans, making sure the pecans are fully covered.

5. Bake:

• Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the surface of the bars is fully bubbly and golden brown.

6. Add the Chocolate Topping:

• Once the bars are baked, remove them from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips over the top. Let the chocolate sit for 2 to 3 minutes to melt.
• Once melted, gently swirl the chocolate with a knife or spatula to create a beautiful marbled effect.

7. Cool and Slice:

• Allow the turtle bars to cool completely in the pan, which should take about 30 minutes. Once fully cooled, slice the bars into 48 pieces using a sharp knife. Enjoy these delicious treats with family or friends!

Recipe Notes:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 48 bars
• Calories: 200 kcal per piece

Tips for Perfect Turtle Bars:

• Pecan placement: Spread the pecan halves evenly over the crust to ensure each bite gets a crunchy pecan.
• Swirling the chocolate: Be gentle when swirling the chocolate to achieve that signature marbled look without mixing it into the caramel layer.
• Storing: These turtle bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.

Conclusion:

These Turtle Bars are the perfect blend of rich caramel, chocolate, and pecans, making them a decadent and irresistible treat. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, as a gift, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, these bars are sure to impress. With a quick prep and bake time, you’ll have these delicious bars ready to enjoy in just 35 minutes!

Turtle Bars

---

• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 48 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

These Turtle Bars are a dessert lover’s dream, combining a rich, buttery crust with a gooey caramel-pecan layer and topped with swirled milk chocolate. Each bite is the perfect balance of crunchy pecans, sweet caramel, and smooth chocolate, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
Turtle Layer:
⅔ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup pecan halves
Chocolate Topping:
1 cup milk chocolate chips

---

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and softened butter. Beat at medium speed until the mixture resembles fine crumbs, about 2 to 3 minutes. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan to form the crust.
Prepare the Turtle Layer: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ⅔ cup butter with ½ cup brown sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture bubbles throughout, then continue for another 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Layers: Evenly distribute the pecan halves over the crust. Pour the hot brown sugar mixture over the pecans.
Bake: Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the surface is fully bubbly, approximately 18 to 20 minutes.
Add the Chocolate Topping: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and immediately sprinkle milk chocolate chips over the top. Allow the chips to melt for 2 to 3 minutes, then gently swirl the chocolate with a knife or spatula.
Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, slice into 48 pieces with a sharp knife.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 200