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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 128 reviews

Easy Turtle Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery crust topped with caramelized pecans and a smooth layer of melted milk chocolate. This simple, no-fuss dessert combines sweet, salty, and nutty flavors with a perfect chewy and crunchy texture. Ideal for special occasions or whenever you crave a rich, homemade bar dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Caramel Pecan Layer:

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

For the Chocolate Topping:

  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Optional Garnishes:

  • Extra chopped pecans
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Drizzled caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the edges for easy removal later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and packed brown sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender or two knives to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even, compact layer using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
  3. Add Pecans: Evenly spread the pecan halves over the crust layer, creating a base for the caramel topping.
  4. Prepare Caramel Layer: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the ⅔ cup unsalted butter and ½ cup packed brown sugar. Stir constantly and bring to a boil. Once boiling, continue cooking and stirring for exactly one minute to develop the perfect caramel consistency without burning.
  5. Combine Caramel with Pecans and Crust: Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the pecans and crust in the pan. Use a spatula if needed to spread the caramel evenly.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  7. Add Chocolate Topping: Immediately after removing the bars from the oven, sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly across the top. Let the chips sit for a few minutes to soften with the residual heat.
  8. Spread Chocolate: Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the softened chocolate into an even layer over the caramel and pecans.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before lifting them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Optionally, garnish with extra chopped pecans, sea salt flakes, or a drizzle of caramel sauce before cutting into bars and serving.

Notes

  • Use cold butter when making the crust for a better crumbly texture.
  • Stir the caramel constantly to prevent burning and ensure smooth consistency.
  • You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer a less sweet topping.
  • For easier cutting, refrigerate the bars after cooling to firm up the chocolate.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Turtle bars, caramel pecan bars, chocolate bars, easy dessert, homemade turtle bars, pecan caramel bars, chocolate caramel bars

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/easy-turtle-bars-recipe-2/