Turtle Bars Easy (Print-Friendly Version)
Layered treat with shortbread, nuts, caramel, and melted chocolate. Great for gatherings, holidays, or whenever you want something special!
# Ingredients:
→ Shortbread Layer
01 -
1 cup packed brown sugar
02 -
½ cup butter (softened)
03 -
2 cups plain flour
→ Caramel Section
04 -
⅔ cup butter
05 -
1 cup pecan halves
06 -
½ cup packed brown sugar
→ Chocolate Topping
07 -
¼ teaspoon sea salt (optional, for finishing)
08 -
1 cup milk chocolate chips
# Steps:
01 -
Turn your oven on to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up.
02 -
Stir together the flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Add in the softened butter, cutting it in until the texture feels crumbly.
03 -
Take the crumbly mix and press it evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 pan. Lay the pecans on top in a single layer.
04 -
In a small pot, stir together ⅔ cup butter and ½ cup brown sugar over medium heat. Keep stirring as you bring it to a boil. Once it boils, let it bubble while stirring for just one minute.
05 -
Evenly drizzle the hot caramel over the pecans and crumbs, making sure it covers everything.
06 -
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. It's ready when the caramel is bubbling.
07 -
Pull the pan out of the oven and sprinkle on the chocolate chips while everything's still hot. Wait for 3-5 minutes for them to soften, then spread the chocolate until smooth.
08 -
If you want, sprinkle sea salt onto the melted chocolate. Leave it on a rack to cool down completely, which might take about 2 hours.
09 -
Once it's fully cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the bars into 24 squares.
# Notes:
01 -
Keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
02 -
Freeze for up to 3 months if wrapped tightly.
03 -
For neater pieces, chill briefly in the fridge before cutting.
04 -
Swap milk chocolate chips with dark or semi-sweet if you prefer.