Ultimate Turtle Cookie Bars
Indulge in pure dessert decadence with these Ultimate Turtle Cookie Bars—an irresistible blend of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and buttery cookie dough, topped with crunchy pecans and a hint of flaky sea salt. Perfectly layered and baked to golden perfection, these bars feature a soft, chewy texture with an ooey-gooey caramel center that takes every bite to the next level. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or treating yourself to a sweet escape, these bars are a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make in just under an hour. With their bold flavors and stunning presentation, these chocolate caramel pecan cookie bars are bound to become the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 25 caramel squares, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 cup pecan halves, chopped
- 0.25 teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
Add the vanilla extract and eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of chopped pecans, reserving the remaining chocolate chips and pecans for topping.
Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing to form an even layer.
Place the caramel squares and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each, until the caramel is melted and smooth.
Pour the melted caramel over the cookie dough layer, spreading it evenly to cover the surface.
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer, pressing gently to create an uneven, rustic top layer. It’s okay if some caramel shows through.
Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and pecans on top of the cookie dough. If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for added flavor.
Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out and transfer to a cutting board.
Cut into 16 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
7352 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 382.9 g | 491% | |
| Saturated Fat | 193.2 g | 966% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 944 mg | 315% | |
| Sodium | 3392 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 959.4 g | 349% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.2 g | 133% | |
| Total Sugars | 655.9 g | ||
| Protein | 76.7 g | 153% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 494 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 26.2 mg | 146% | |
| Potassium | 1383 mg | 29% | |
*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.
