Decadent Turtle Bars Recipe
Introduction
Decadent Turtle Bars are a delightful treat combining a buttery shortbread base, rich caramel, toasted pecans, and a smooth chocolate topping. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars offer a wonderful mix of textures and flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cold Butter (ensures a buttery, crisp shortbread base)
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (the key structure for a solid crust)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (sweetens the crust)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (forms sweet, gooey caramel)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (adds richness to the caramel)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (creates a smooth texture in caramel)
- 1 cup Toasted Pecans (introduces delightful crunch)
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk for a velvety finish)
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt (adds a sophisticated contrast)
- 1/2 cup Extra Pecans (for decoration)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine cold butter, all-purpose flour, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Blend until the mixture is crumbly. Press the dough evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the crust turns golden.
- Step 2: 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. Whisk in the heavy cream until fully incorporated, then fold in the toasted pecans.
- Step 3: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Spread gently to cover. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until bubbly.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread evenly to create a glossy finish. Sprinkle with sea salt and extra pecans for decoration.
- Step 5: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up before slicing into bars for clean cuts.
Tips & Variations
- Use semi-sweet chocolate chips for a balanced sweetness or opt for milk chocolate for a creamier finish.
- Toast pecans lightly in a dry pan before adding for enhanced flavor and crunch.
- Substitute walnuts or almonds if pecans are unavailable or for a different nutty twist.
- For a richer caramel, add a tablespoon of dark corn syrup while melting sugar and butter.
- If you prefer a softer crust, reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes.
Storage
Store Turtle Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week. Before serving refrigerated bars, bring them to room temperature for about 20 minutes for optimal texture. Reheating is not necessary but can be done briefly in a microwave to soften the chocolate layer.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, Turtle Bars can be made a day or two in advance. Keep them refrigerated and slice just before serving for the best texture and appearance.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Using salted butter is possible, but reduce or omit the added sea salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.
PrintDecadent Turtle Bars Recipe
Decadent Turtle Bars are a luscious treat featuring a crisp shortbread base topped with rich, gooey caramel studded with toasted pecans, and finished with a glossy chocolate layer and a sprinkle of sea salt. These bars combine buttery textures and sweet, nutty flavors for a truly indulgent dessert perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
Topping
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk)
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 cup Extra Pecans (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the cold butter, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar. Blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into a lined 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the crust turns a golden color.
- Make Caramel: While the crust bakes, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add granulated sugar and unsalted butter to the pan, stirring constantly until everything melts and combines smoothly, approximately 5 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream until the caramel is smooth and velvety. Then fold in the toasted pecans carefully.
- Assemble Caramel Layer: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked shortbread crust. Spread it out gently with a spatula to cover the crust completely. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and set.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer and spread it evenly to create a glossy chocolate finish. Sprinkle the top with sea salt and extra pecans for decoration.
- Chill and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Then refrigerate them for 30 minutes to firm up for cleaner cutting. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Using cold butter for the crust ensures a crisp, buttery texture.
- Toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their natural flavor and crunch.
- Microwave the chocolate in short intervals to avoid burning.
- Refrigerating before slicing helps achieve neat, clean bar edges.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel bars, shortbread dessert, pecan bars, chocolate dessert, homemade bars
