Decadent Turtle Bars Recipe

Introduction

Decadent Turtle Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with rich caramel, toasted pecans, and a smooth chocolate topping. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors that make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Cold Butter
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (for crust)
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (for caramel)
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Toasted Pecans
• 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk)
• 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1/2 cup Extra Pecans (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cold butter, all-purpose flour, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Blend them together until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until the crust turns golden.
2. Step 2: While the crust bakes, prepare the caramel. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Stir constantly until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Fold in the toasted pecans.
3. Step 3: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10–12 minutes until the caramel is bubbly.
4. Step 4: Let the bars cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer and spread it to achieve a glossy finish. Sprinkle the extra pecans on top and sprinkle sea salt over the chocolate if desired.
5. Step 5: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to set. For cleaner slices, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

• Use cold butter for the crust to achieve a crisp, flaky base.
• Toast the pecans lightly to enhance their crunch and flavor.
• For a richer caramel, drizzle a little extra heavy cream while heating the sugar and butter.
• Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate to cut some sweetness.
• Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate for a gourmet touch.

Storage

Store the turtle bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving to enjoy the soft caramel and chocolate layers. For longer storage, tightly wrap bars and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added sea salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty flavor.

How can I make sure the caramel layer sets properly?

Make sure to cook the sugar and butter until fully melted and smooth, then whisk in the heavy cream thoroughly. Baking the caramel on the crust and allowing the bars to cool undisturbed helps the caramel firm up nicely.

Decadent Turtle Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 145 reviews

Decadent Turtle Bars are a luscious dessert featuring a buttery, crisp shortbread crust topped with rich, gooey caramel loaded with toasted pecans, all finished with a smooth, velvety chocolate layer. This dessert offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, balancing sweetness with a hint of sea salt for sophistication.

• Author: Lara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shortbread Base

• 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

Chocolate Topping

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the Shortbread Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine cold butter, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar. Blend the mixture until crumbly. Press the dough evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes until it turns golden brown.
2. Make the Caramel: While the crust bakes, heat granulated sugar and unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and melt together for about 5 minutes until smooth. Whisk in heavy cream until the caramel is silky, then fold in toasted pecans for crunch.
3. Assemble and Bake Caramel Layer: Pour the warm caramel mixture over the baked crust and spread it evenly. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and set.
4. Add Chocolate Topping: Allow the bars to cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between, until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly to create a glossy finish. Decorate with extra pecans.
5. Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to set. For cleaner cuts, refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing into bars and serving.

Notes

• Use cold butter for the crust to ensure it bakes up crisp and flaky.
• Toast the pecans before adding to caramel to enhance their flavor and crunch.
• Melting chocolate in short microwave bursts prevents burning and keeps it smooth.
• Allow bars to cool thoroughly to avoid messy cuts and maintain structure.
• Store bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Keywords: Turtle Bars, Chocolate Caramel Bars, Pecan Dessert, Shortbread Bars, Homemade Candy Bars