I’m excited to share my easy turtle bars recipe with you! These sweet treats are perfect for any gathering or when you want to indulge yourself. The layers of buttery crust, crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate make for a delightful snack or dessert.
When I was a kid, my Dad James would often take my sister Jennifer and me into the kitchen to whip up a batch of turtle bars. The smell of caramel melting and chocolate melting was a favorite memory for my family. Today, I often think of those moments as I prepare these bars for loved ones.
What You’ll Need
- 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
- Sea salt flakes
- Drizzled caramel sauce
My Trusted Kitchen Tools
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowl
- Pastry blender or two knives
- Small saucepan
- Offset spatula or the back of a spoon
Bringing It All Together
- 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 later.
- Combine flour and brown sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
- Sprinkle the pecan halves in an even layer over the crust.
- In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar for the caramel layer. Place over medium heat and stir constantly.
- Watch carefully for the mixture to bubble and change color.
- Continue cooking and stirring for exactly one minute after it starts boiling to ensure perfect caramel consistency.
- Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the pecans and crust, using a spatula to help distribute it.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
- After removing from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot bars and let sit for a few minutes to soften.
- Once softened, use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer.
Making It Your Own (Swaps & Ideas)
Feel free to swap out the pecans for walnuts or almonds if you prefer a different nut flavor. You can also change the type of chocolate; use dark chocolate for a richer taste or white chocolate for a sweeter touch. Add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top for an extra burst of flavor!
How We Love to Serve It
These turtle bars are best served warm, but they are delightful at room temperature too. I love to serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a decadent dessert. You can also drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top for an indulgent finish.
A Few Tips For Success
- Make sure your butter is very cold when making the crust. This helps create a flaky texture.
- Stir the caramel constantly to prevent it from burning. It needs your attention!
- Don’t skip the parchment paper. It makes removing the bars from the pan effortless.
Saving Some For Later
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you find as much joy in making and sharing these easy turtle bars as I do. They never fail to bring smiles and happiness!
Your Questions, Answered
How can I make a gluten-free version of easy turtle bars?
You can easily make a gluten-free version by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Many brands work well for baking.
Can I make easy turtle bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the bars a day in advance and store them at room temperature. Just cover them tightly to keep them fresh.
What can I use instead of pecans in easy turtle bars?
If you don’t have pecans, you can replace them with walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds. Each nut will add its unique flavor.
Print
Easy Turtle Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious turtle bars with layers of buttery crust, crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate. Perfect for any gathering or indulgent snack.
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
- Sea salt flakes
- Drizzled caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Combine flour and brown sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the pecan halves in an even layer over the crust.
- In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar for the caramel layer. Place over medium heat and stir constantly.
- Cook the mixture until it bubbles and changes color, then continue cooking for one minute after boiling.
- Carefully pour the caramel mixture evenly over the pecans and crust.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot bars. Allow to soften.
- Spread the melted chocolate into an even layer.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: turtle bars, dessert, chocolate, caramel, easy recipe