Description

Decadent Turtle Bars combine a buttery, crisp shortbread crust with a rich, gooey caramel layer studded with toasted pecans, all topped with a glossy chocolate finish. These bars offer a perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, and creamy textures, making them an irresistible treat for any dessert lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Crust

1 cup Cold Butter
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar

Caramel Layer

1 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Toasted Pecans
1 teaspoon Sea Salt

Topping

2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk)
1/2 cup Extra Pecans (for decoration)

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cold butter, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar. Blend these ingredients until they form a crumbly mixture. Press this mixture evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake the crust for 15 to 18 minutes, or until it turns a golden color.
Make the Caramel: While the crust bakes, place granulated sugar and unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as the ingredients melt and combine, about 5 minutes. Once melted, whisk in the heavy cream until the caramel is smooth. Remove from heat and fold in the toasted pecans carefully to evenly distribute them.
Combine Caramel and Crust: Pour the warm caramel mixture over the baked shortbread crust, spreading it out evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the caramel layer is bubbly and set.
Add Chocolate Topping: Allow the bars to cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly to create a glossy finish. Garnish with the extra pecans on top as decoration.
Chill and Serve: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Then refrigerate them for an additional 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set fully for cleaner slicing. Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Use cold butter for the crust to ensure a crisp, buttery texture.
Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their flavor and crunch.
Allow the chocolate layer to set in the fridge for easier and cleaner cuts.
You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate for a sweeter bar.
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel bars, pecan bars, chocolate bars, shortbread crust, dessert bars, homemade caramel, baked dessert