Gooey Turtle Bars
Indulge your sweet tooth with these irresistible Gooey Turtle Bars—a delectable treat that combines a buttery shortbread crust, luscious caramel, crunchy pecans, and a drizzle of smooth chocolate. Perfect for dessert lovers, these bars are layered with rich textures and flavors that melt in your mouth with every bite. The straightforward recipe, which takes just 15 minutes of prep time, features simple yet decadent ingredients like homemade caramel and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Whether you’re hosting a party or craving a luxurious snack, these layered turtle bars are sure to impress. Make them ahead of time and enjoy a dessert that's as beautiful as it is delicious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 14 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the shortbread crust. Prick the surface several times with a fork to prevent bubbling.
Bake the shortbread crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
While the crust bakes, prepare the caramel layer. In a medium saucepan, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream over low heat. Stir constantly until the caramels are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Pour the melted caramel mixture on top of the pecans, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Bake the bars again for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips using a microwave or double boiler until smooth and glossy.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled bars in a zigzag pattern, or spread evenly if preferred.
Let the bars cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the layers.
Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 16 squares or bars and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
415 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.1 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.5 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 99 mg | 4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.7 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.4 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 28 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 81 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
