Description
Rich chocolate and caramel Pecan Turtle Bars showcase a delightful blend of classic Southern ingredients. Layers of buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and chocolate create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 0.67 cup butter (for turtle layer)
- 0.5 cup brown sugar (for turtle layer)
- 0.5 cup butter (softened, for crust)
- 1 cup brown sugar (for crust)
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring even heat distribution for optimal baking results.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, and softened butter in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until a fine, crumbly texture forms.
- Transfer the crumb mixture into an ungreased 13×9 inch baking pan, pressing firmly and evenly to create a compact crust.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar, stirring continuously until bubbles appear consistently across the surface.
- Continue stirring for 30-60 seconds to slightly thicken the caramel, then remove from heat.
- Evenly distribute pecan halves across the prepared crust.
- Pour the hot caramel mixture over the pecans, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until the surface bubbles and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle milk chocolate chips over the hot surface.
- Allow chocolate to melt for 2-3 minutes, then gently swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Cool completely at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
- Using a clean, sharp knife, cut into 48 equal-sized bars, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.
Notes
- Customize caramel consistency by cooking longer for deeper flavor or shorter for lighter sweetness, depending on personal preference.
- Ensure even chocolate melting by allowing residual heat from baked layer to naturally soften chips, creating smooth spreadable texture.
- Replace milk chocolate with dark or white chocolate variations for different flavor profiles and dietary adaptations.
- Use gluten-free flour blend as direct substitute to make recipe celiac-friendly without compromising structural integrity of crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg