Description
Sweet caramel and chocolate turtle bars bring luxurious Southern charm to classic dessert lovers. Rich pecans, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate create an irresistible treat you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup butter
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Binding/Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup brown sugar
Sweet Enhancers:
- ½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
Instructions
- Craft a sturdy base by blending flour, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture transforms into delicate, sand-like crumbs. Firmly press this foundation into an ungreased rectangular baking vessel, creating a uniform, compact layer.
- Construct a rich caramel-like sauce by gently melting butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Maintain constant stirring until the mixture erupts with bubbles, then continue for an additional minute to develop complex flavors.
- Generously scatter pecan halves across the prepared crust, creating a textural landscape of nutty clusters.
- Cascade the molten sugar mixture over the pecans, ensuring complete and even coverage across the entire surface.
- Transfer the pan to a preheated oven calibrated to 350°F. Allow the bars to transform, watching for a fully effervescent top that signals perfect caramelization, typically requiring 18-20 minutes of baking.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, blanket the surface with milk chocolate chips. Allow gentle heat to melt the chocolate, then create artistic swirls using a knife, integrating the chocolate into a marbled design.
- Exercise patience by permitting the bars to cool completely within the pan. This resting period allows the layers to set and solidify.
- With a precision knife, divide the cooled creation into approximately 48 delectable squares, ready to be savored and shared.
Notes
- Perfectly prepare the crust by beating flour, brown sugar, and butter until they form fine, sandy crumbs for a delightful texture.
- Caramel layer requires constant stirring to prevent burning and achieve a glossy, smooth consistency that coats pecans beautifully.
- Chocolate chips will melt quickly from the residual heat, creating a dreamy swirled topping that adds rich, decadent flavor.
- Use a 13×9-inch pan for ideal thickness and ensure even distribution of ingredients for consistent bars.
- Cool completely before cutting to allow layers to set and prevent crumbling, guaranteeing clean, professional-looking squares.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain maximum freshness and deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 298
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg