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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/decadent-turtle-bars-recipe/