These butter pecan turtle bars feature a sweet shortbread crust, a layer of rich caramel topping, and crunchy pecans. Topped off with a generous layer of semisweet chocolate, these bars are an irresistible treat that you’ll want to make again and again.
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🐢Turtle Candys in a Bar
Turtle candies are the best! The smooth chocolate, sweet caramel, and crunchy nuts makes them so delicious! I set out to make a square with all the same flavours, and this is it.
These turtle bars come together so easily. While the shortbread batter is coming together in a mixing maker, make the caramel. The caramel is the easiest recipe ever. There's no burning sugar with this one!
Place the shortbread batter and press it into a baking pan. Pour the caramel over top, then scatter on the pecans. Bake it, and when cooled, add the chocolate layer. Cool it in the refrigerator to firm it up, and serve!
Looking for more square recipes? Try raspberry truffle brownies, pecan pie brownies, fudgy lemon brownies or raspberry Nanaimo bars!
🥘Ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Unsalted butter - Salted butter can be substituted. Omit the extra salt in the recipe.
- Brown sugar - Either light or dark brown sugar can be used. I used light brown sugar.
- Pecans - Purchase pecan pieces if you can, to save time from chopping whole pecans.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips - Chopped baking chocolate can be substituted.
🔪Instructions
Shortbread Layer
Start with the shortbread layer by combining butter and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat until softened, about 2 minutes. Add flour and mix just until combined.
The shortbread batter will look loose, but should stick together when pressed in your hand. Pour batter into a 9"x13" baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper and the sides greased. Press it down into the bottom of the pan. Set it aside while you make the turtle layer.
Turtle Layer
For the turtle layer, combine butter and both sugars in a medium sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the sugars are dissolved. Let boil for one minute without stirring, then remove from heat and add heavy whipping cream and salt. Stir to combine.
Pour turtle layer caramel evenly over the shortbread crust. Top with pecans and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the turtle layer is bubbling and the shortbread crust is lightly browned. You'll only see this if you use a clear baking pan.
Let cool on a wire rack while you make the chocolate layer.
Chocolate Layer
Add semi sweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Heat in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is smooth.
Evenly spread chocolate on top of squares. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For more step by step photos and instructions, view the web story for Butter Pecan Turtle Bars!
✔️Expert tips
- Use pecan pieces instead of whole pecans to save time chopping.
- Soften the butter for at least one hour at room temperature before beginning this recipe.
- You can add other nuts besides pecans. Try using peanuts or walnuts!
- Instead of semi sweet chocolate chips, use white or dark chocolate chips.
- Use a graham cracker crust instead of shortbread!
💭FAQs
You can make these and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also make the recipe up until it's been baked and cooled to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator and top with chocolate the next day.
These turtle bars are perfect for freezing. Make the recipe fully and chop into squares. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
🔖Related recipes
📋 Recipe
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Butter Pecan Turtle Bars
Equipment
- one 9x13" baking pan
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 cups all purpose flour
Turtle Layer
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream cold
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecans chopped
Chocolate Layer
- 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon vegetable shortening
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
- Preheat oven to 350° (180°C). Line a 9"x13" baking pan with parchment and grease the sides. Have the parchment hanging over the sides of the baking pan, so that it will be easier to remove the squares.
- Combine butter and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat until softened, about 2 minutes. Add flour and mix just until combined.
- The shortbread batter will look loose, but should stick together when pressed in your hand. Pour batter into prepared pan and press it down into the bottom of the pan. Set it aside while you make the turtle layer.
Turtle Layer
- Combine butter and both sugars in a medium sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the sugars are dissolved. Continue cooking until it starts boiling, then boil for one minute without stirring.
- Remove from heat and add heavy whipping cream and salt. Stir to combine.
- Pour turtle layer caramel evenly over the shortbread crust. Top with pecans and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the turtle layer is bubbling and the shortbread crust is lightly browned. You'll only see this if you use a clear baking pan.
- Let cool on a wire rack until room temperature.
Chocolate Layer
- Add semi sweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Heat in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is smooth.
- Evenly spread chocolate on top of squares. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use pecan pieces instead of whole pecans to save time chopping.
- Soften the butter for at least one hour at room temperature before beginning this recipe.
- You can add other nuts besides pecans. Try using peanuts or walnuts!
- Instead of semi sweet chocolate chips, use white or dark chocolate chips.
- Use a graham cracker crust instead of shortbread!
Did you try this recipe? Comment below to let me know ☺️