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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

Easy Turtle Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 27 reviews

These Easy Turtle Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery crust, toasted pecans, a rich homemade caramel layer, and a glossy milk chocolate topping. They combine the classic flavors of turtles candy in a simple bar form that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying as a sweet indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

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

For the Caramel Layer:

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

For the Topping:

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

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 hang over the edges for easy removal later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.
  3. Press Crust into Pan: Evenly press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or your fingers to form a compact, even layer.
  4. Sprinkle Pecans: Arrange the pecan halves evenly over the crust as a base for the caramel layer.
  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 bubbling and color changes.
  6. Cook Caramel: Once the mixture begins boiling, continue stirring and cooking 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 pecans and crust, using a spatula to ensure full coverage.
  8. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Add Chocolate Chips: Immediately remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars. Let them sit for a few minutes to soften.
  10. Spread Melted Chocolate: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer, allowing the residual heat to melt the chocolate smoothly.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to ensure a crumbly, crisp crust.
  • Be careful not to burn the caramel; removing from heat right after one minute of boiling is key.
  • You can garnish with extra chopped pecans and a sprinkle of sea salt for added texture and flavor contrast.
  • Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top before serving for an even richer treat.
  • Let bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.

Nutrition

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

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