TURTLE BARS
Turtle Bars are an irresistible dessert made with a rich, gooey caramel layer, crunchy pecans, and a smooth chocolate topping, all baked on a buttery cookie base. These bars capture the flavors of the classic turtle candy in a simple, easy-to-make treat!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and set. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the caramel layer. In a saucepan, heat the sweetened condensed milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Stir constantly until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the crust is done baking, pour the caramel mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the pecan halves over the caramel layer.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the caramel is bubbling and the pecans are slightly toasted.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot caramel layer. Let them melt for 3-5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate evenly over the bars.
- Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate, depending on your preference.
- For a smoother chocolate layer, melt the chocolate chips with a small amount of butter before spreading it over the bars.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- If you prefer a thicker crust, double the amount of crust ingredients and press it into a smaller baking dish.
- For extra flavor, drizzle more caramel sauce over the top before serving.
- These bars are great for holiday parties or gift-giving, as they are easy to slice and serve in individual portions.