Introduction

These easy Turtle Bars combine a buttery crust, crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and melted chocolate for a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Simple to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.

A close-up view of a square baking pan filled with a dessert cut into multiple square pieces, each piece showing three distinct layers: the bottom layer is light brown and crumbly with visible bits of nuts and chocolate chips, the middle layer is thick and smooth dark chocolate, and the top layer is decorated with whole pecan halves and small chopped nuts, giving a textured finish. The chocolate layer is glossy and shiny, contrasting with the rough nutty base below. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 cup pecan halves
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Extra chopped pecans (optional)
Sea salt flakes (optional)
Drizzled caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the edges for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
Step 3: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a compact, even layer with the back of a spoon or your fingers.
Step 4: Sprinkle the pecan halves evenly over the crust to form a crunchy base layer.
Step 5: In a small saucepan, combine 2/3 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and changes color.
Step 6: Continue cooking and stirring for exactly one minute after boiling to achieve the perfect caramel consistency without burning.
Step 7: Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pecans and crust. Use a spatula if needed to spread it completely.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars. Let them sit for a few minutes to soften.
Step 10: Once softened, spread the melted chocolate into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, allowing the residual heat to melt the chocolate fully.

Tips & Variations

Use cold butter to create a tender, flaky crust. Keeping it cold ensures a better texture.
For added flavor, sprinkle sea salt flakes over the melted chocolate before it sets.
Add chopped extra pecans on top of the chocolate for a crunchier texture.
Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cooled bars for an extra gooey finish.

Storage

Store the Turtle Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat slightly in the microwave to soften before serving, if desired.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of nine square dessert bars arranged on a white marbled surface. Each bar has three visible layers: the bottom layer is a crumbly, light brown crust with a rough texture, the middle layer is a gooey, smooth caramel in a golden brown shade, and the top layer is a glossy dark chocolate coating. The chocolate layer is sprinkled with whole and broken pecan nuts that add texture and a reddish-brown color contrast to the shiny dark top. The bars are neatly cut, and the lighting highlights the richness and different textures of the dessert. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Yes, walnuts or almonds make great substitutes if you prefer a different nut flavor or texture.

How do I ensure the caramel doesn’t burn?

Stir constantly and keep a close eye once the mixture starts boiling. Cooking for exactly one minute after boiling helps achieve perfect caramel without burning.

Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 136 reviews

These Easy Turtle Bars are a luscious dessert featuring a buttery crust topped with crunchy pecans, rich caramel, and smooth melted chocolate. Perfect as a sweet treat for any occasion, they offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that are simple to make and irresistibly delicious.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 cup pecan halves

Caramel Layer

2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

Toppings

1 cup milk chocolate chips
Extra chopped pecans (optional)
Sea salt flakes (optional)
Drizzled caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over the edges for easy removal of the bars later.
Make the Crust: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and brown sugar. Use a pastry blender or two knives to cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold for the best texture.
Press Crust into Pan: Evenly press the crumbly mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan using the back of a spoon or your fingers, creating a compact and level crust layer.
Add Pecans: Sprinkle the pecan halves evenly over the crust to form a crunchy base for the caramel topping.
Prepare Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly as the mixture heats and begins to bubble and change color.
Cook Caramel: Once boiling, continue to cook and stir the caramel mixture for exactly one minute to ensure it reaches the perfect consistency and avoids burning.
Pour Caramel over Pecans and Crust: Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pecan layer and crust, using a spatula if necessary to spread it completely.
Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown, indicating the caramel is cooked through.
Add Chocolate Chips: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly across the hot bars. Allow the chips to sit for a few minutes so they soften.
Spread Melted Chocolate: Once softened, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer over the bars, using the residual heat to melt and smooth the chocolate topping.

Notes

For extra flavor and texture, sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top after spreading the chocolate.
A light sprinkle of sea salt flakes enhances the sweetness and adds a gourmet touch.
Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top for an extra decadent finish.
Make sure the butter for the crust is very cold for a flaky, tender base.
Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.

Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel bars, pecan dessert, easy dessert recipe, chocolate caramel bars, holiday treats