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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 58 reviews

Delightfully rich and gooey, these Easy Turtle Bars combine a buttery pecan crust with a luscious homemade caramel layer, topped off with melted milk chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfect for a sweet treat, these bars balance crunchy, sweet, and salty flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Pecan Layer

  • 1 cup pecan halves

Caramel Layer

  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

Topping

  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • Extra chopped pecans (optional)
  • Sea salt flakes (to taste)
  • Drizzled caramel sauce (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over the edges for easy bar removal later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the cold, cubed butter quickly until the mixture looks like coarse, sandy crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a compact, even layer using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
  3. Add Pecans: Arrange the pecan halves in an even layer over the pressed crust to form the base for the caramel topping.
  4. Prepare Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly as it heats. Once the mixture bubbles, continue stirring and cook for exactly one minute to achieve the right caramel consistency without burning.
  5. Pour Caramel and Bake: Carefully pour the hot caramel over the pecans and crust, spreading evenly with a spatula if needed. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  6. Add Chocolate: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars. Let them sit a few minutes to soften.
  7. Spread Chocolate: Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, gently spread the melted chocolate into an even layer over the bars, taking advantage of the residual heat.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Optionally, sprinkle extra chopped pecans, sea salt flakes, and drizzle caramel sauce on top before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Press the crust firmly to ensure it holds together well after baking.
  • Be careful when pouring hot caramel to avoid burns.
  • For extra texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans and sea salt flakes on top after spreading the chocolate.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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

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