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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

Easy Turtle Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 19 reviews

These Easy Turtle Bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust topped with a rich layer of caramel and toasted pecans, finished with a smooth milk chocolate topping. Perfectly sweet and nutty, these bars combine classic turtle candy flavors into a simple, no-fuss dessert that’s ideal for parties, potlucks, or anytime you crave a decadent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

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

For the Caramel Pecan Layer:

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

For the Chocolate Topping:

  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Optional Garnishes:

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven 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 overhang the edges for easy removal later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold for a tender crust.
  3. Press Crust into Pan: Evenly press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or your fingers, creating a compact and even layer.
  4. Add Pecans: Sprinkle the pecan halves evenly over the pressed crust layer, forming the base for the caramel topping.
  5. Prepare Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar for the caramel layer. Stir constantly and watch for the mixture to bubble and change color.
  6. Cook Caramel: Once boiling, continue stirring and cook for exactly one minute to achieve the perfect caramel consistency without burning.
  7. Pour Caramel Over Pecans: Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pecan-covered crust. Use a spatula to help spread it evenly and ensure full coverage.
  8. Bake Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the caramel topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars. Let them sit for a few minutes to soften.
  10. Spread Melted Chocolate: Once the chocolate chips soften, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer using the residual heat from the bars.
  11. Cool and Garnish: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Optionally, garnish with extra chopped pecans, sea salt flakes, or drizzled caramel sauce for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for the crust to ensure a flaky and tender base.
  • Be careful while cooking the caramel to avoid burning; careful timing is key.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper to make bar removal easier and cleaner.
  • Allow chocolate to melt fully for a smooth topping; residual heat from the bars helps with this.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Easy Turtle Bars, caramel pecan bars, chocolate caramel bars, homemade turtle candy, pecan dessert bars, simple dessert recipes

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