Description
Turtle Bars are a decadent layered dessert featuring a buttery crumb crust, a rich caramel-like pecan turtle layer, and a smooth melted chocolate topping. These bars combine sweet and nutty flavors with a delightful chewy texture, perfect for parties or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
Turtle Layer:
- â…” cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pecan halves
Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and softened butter. Beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture forms fine crumbs. Then, press this crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 13×9-inch baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Prepare the Turtle Layer: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ⅔ cup butter with ½ cup brown sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture starts to bubble, then continue cooking for an additional 30-60 seconds. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
- Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread 1 cup of pecan halves over the prepared crust in the baking pan. Carefully pour the hot butter and brown sugar mixture over the pecans, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until the surface is bubbly and the turtle layer is set.
- Add the Chocolate Topping: Once baking is complete, remove the bars from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the top. Let the chocolate chips melt for 2-3 minutes, then gently swirl them with a knife for a marbled effect.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, about 30 minutes, so that the layers set and the bars can be sliced cleanly. Cut into 48 small pieces for serving.
Notes
- Use an ungreased pan to ensure the crust sticks and creates a firm base.
- Be careful when pouring the hot turtle layer; it will be very hot and bubbling.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, you can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing to avoid messy cuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
