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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 100 reviews

These Easy Turtle Bars are a decadent, layered dessert featuring a buttery crust topped with crunchy pecans, rich caramel, and melted milk chocolate. Finished with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes and extra pecans, these bars combine sweet and salty flavors in every bite, perfect for any occasion or sweet craving.

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
  • 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
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Drizzled caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. Allow the paper to hang over the edges for easy 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 resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
  3. Press Crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, using the back of a spoon or your fingers to form a compact, even layer.
  4. Add Pecans: Sprinkle pecan halves in an even layer over the crust to create a flavorful base for the caramel layer.
  5. Prepare Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly and watch closely as it bubbles and changes color.
  6. Cook Caramel: Continue stirring and cooking for exactly one minute after the mixture begins boiling to achieve perfect caramel consistency.
  7. Pour Caramel: Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pecans and crust. Use a spatula to distribute it fully for complete coverage.
  8. Bake: 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 after removing from the oven, sprinkle milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars. Let sit for a few minutes to soften.
  10. Spread Chocolate: Once softened, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer using the residual heat.
  11. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle extra chopped pecans and sea salt flakes on top and drizzle with caramel sauce before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter for the crust is very cold to achieve the perfect crumbly texture.
  • Do not overcook the caramel to avoid burning; timing is crucial.
  • Use parchment paper to easily lift the bars out of the pan for clean slicing.
  • Allow the bars to cool slightly before cutting to keep layers intact.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel bars, pecan caramel bars, easy dessert, chocolate pecan bars, homemade sweet treats

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