Description
Chocolate and caramel lovers rejoice over delightful turtle bars that blend rich pecans, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate into one irresistible dessert. Sweet layers meld perfectly, creating a heavenly treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts, if preferred)
Sweeteners and Binding:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 14 ounces (396 grams) caramels (soft, unwrapped)
Finishing and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and constructing a parchment paper foundation in an 8×8-inch baking vessel, ensuring extended edges for effortless extraction.
- Craft a delicate shortbread foundation by harmonizing butter and sugar until ethereal and creamy. Integrate flour and salt, manipulating the mixture until a tender dough emerges. Gently compress the dough across the pan’s base, creating a uniform landscape. Roast in the heated chamber for approximately 20 minutes until achieving a delicate golden complexion. Allow minimal cooling before advancing.
- Transform caramels into a luxurious cascade by melting them with heavy cream through strategic microwave intervals. Stir between heating cycles until achieving a silken consistency. Cascade the molten caramel across the shortbread terrain, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Generously disperse chopped pecans across the caramel canvas.
- Distribute chocolate chips uniformly over the caramel terrain. Return the pan to the oven’s embrace for a brief 1-2 minute interlude, permitting chocolate to surrender its structured form. Utilize a spatula to orchestrate the chocolate into a seamless, glossy layer.
- Submerge the creation into refrigerated sanctuary for 1-2 hours, allowing complete solidification. Once thoroughly chilled, elevate the entire confection using parchment extensions and segment into precise squares.
Notes
- Swap butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free version that maintains the rich, decadent texture of the original recipe.
- Toast pecans before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Use dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate experience or milk chocolate for a sweeter result, allowing flexibility based on personal preference.
- Create a gluten-free option by substituting regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg