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Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

Easy Turtle Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 27 reviews

Easy Turtle Bars are a decadent and irresistible dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with crunchy pecans, rich caramel, and melted milk chocolate. Perfect for a sweet treat or sharing at gatherings, these bars combine buttery textures and sweet, nutty 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

Topping

  • 1 cup pecan halves

Caramel Layer

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

Finishing

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

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 edges to hang over the sides for easy removal after baking.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose 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 to maintain the butter’s coldness.
  3. Form Crust Layer: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to compact the crust, ensuring an even layer.
  4. Add Pecans: Evenly sprinkle the pecan halves over the crust, creating a nutty base for the caramel topping.
  5. Prepare Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly as the mixture heats until it begins 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: Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the pecans and crust layer. Use a spatula to spread if necessary to ensure full coverage.
  8. Bake Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Add Chocolate Chips: Immediately after removing the pan from the oven, sprinkle the milk chocolate chips over the hot bars. Allow them to sit for a few minutes to soften.
  10. Spread Chocolate Layer: Once softened, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer over the bars. The residual heat will help melt the chocolate smoothly.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to achieve a crumbly and tender crust texture.
  • Monitor the caramel closely to prevent burning; cooking exactly one minute after boiling is crucial.
  • For extra richness, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top after the chocolate has set.
  • Sprinkle sea salt flakes to enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to get clean, neat pieces.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Nutrition

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

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