Description
Rich chocolate and caramel pecan turtle bars deliver pure indulgence straight from Southern kitchens. Layers of buttery shortbread, smooth caramel, roasted pecans, and chocolate create an irresistible dessert you cannot resist savoring.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) softened unsalted butter
Caramel and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (220 g) packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) light corn syrup
- 1 can (14 ounces or 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups (226 g) chopped pecans
- 1 ¼ cups (213 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan by greasing a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) pan and preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully press the prepared shortbread dough into the greased pan, ensuring an even, uniform layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
- Bake the shortbread crust for 15-20 minutes until it turns light golden and develops a slightly firm texture.
- Create the caramel sauce by combining butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Continuously stir the caramel mixture, allowing it to simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Remove the baked crust from the oven and immediately pour the hot caramel sauce evenly over the entire surface.
- Generously sprinkle chopped pecans across the caramel layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the pecans to toast and the caramel to set.
- Remove from the oven and immediately distribute chocolate chips across the hot surface, letting them melt naturally.
- Use a spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate in a smooth, even layer covering the entire dessert.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1-2 hours.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to help the layers set and make cutting easier.
- Cut into square or rectangular bars and serve chilled.
Notes
- Baking transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert with layers of rich flavors.
- Prepare all ingredients beforehand to ensure smooth and efficient bar-making process.
- Room temperature ingredients help create a more consistent and creamy caramel layer.
- Toasting pecans briefly before adding them enhances their nutty, deep flavor profile.
- Chill bars completely to achieve clean, precise cutting and optimal texture when serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg