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4.7 from 90 votes

Turtle Caramel Bars

These Turtle Caramel Bars are made with lots of chocolate, a simple caramel filling and a delicious shortbread base.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 16 squares
Calories: 334 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

SHORTBREAD BASE
  • 1½ cups flour (195 grams)
  • ½ cup sugar (100 grams)
  • ¾ cups butter (softened) (169 grams)
TOPPING
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed (110 grams)
  • ⅔ cup butter (150 grams)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts (150 grams)
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (180 grams)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°.
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and sugar, with a pastry blender or fork mix in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 9 inch (23 cm) square cake pan ( I used a spring form pan or line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal). Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
TOPPING
  1. In a medium pot, combine the brown sugar and butter, over medium/low heat, bring it to a boil, stirring constantly continue to boil for approximately 1-2 minutes, be sure not to let it burn, remove from the heat then pour over baked shortbread base, sprinkle the nuts on top then bake for approximately 13-15 minutes or until bubbly.
  2. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with milk chocolate chips, let stand for approximately 3 minutes then with the tip of a knife, gently swirl the chocolate. Let cool completely, then cut into small squares. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For easier cutting, refrigerate the cooled bars for about 30 minutes, then slice.
  • Bar cookies can be stored in their baking pan tightly covered with foil or they can be removed and kept in an air tight container, layered between parchment paper. Bar cookies removed from the pan should be stored in an airtight container.
  • Separate bar cookies with waxed paper between layers. They will keep for about 4 days at room temperature, or up to a week in the fridge. If your house is very warm then I would advise refrigerating them.
  • If you wish to freeze the whole pan, then it is a good idea to line the pan with parchment paper so it is easier to remove. Be sure to cool the bar cookies completely before double wrapping in plastic wrap then foil.
  • If freezing the sliced bars, then place in a freezer safe container between layers of parchment paper. Either way the bars will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories 334kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Cholesterol 43mg (14%) Sodium 146mg (6%) Potassium 92mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 502IU (10%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 27mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16squares

Amount Per Serving

Calories 334

% Daily Value*

Calories 334kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 43mg 14%
Sodium 146mg 6%
Potassium 92mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 502IU 10%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 27mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.