Turtle Magic Bars Recipe

Introduction

Turtle Magic Bars are a delightful treat that combines rich chocolate, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel over a buttery crust. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for sharing or enjoying as a sweet indulgence any time of the year.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 cups caramel bits
• 12 ounces sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 7×11 inch baking dish with foil and spray it with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar using an electric hand mixer until smooth. Gradually stir in the flour and the optional pinch of sea salt until just combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until the crust is lightly golden brown.
3. Step 3: Remove the crust from the oven and evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over it. Then add the chopped pecans followed by the caramel bits on top. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over all the layers, trying to cover the surface as much as possible.
4. Step 4: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling slightly.
5. Step 5: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the foil. Cut into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra gooey bars, press the caramel bits gently into the nuts before pouring the condensed milk to avoid shifting.
• Try swapping pecans for walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
• If you prefer a more intense chocolate taste, use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
• To make cutting easier, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing.

Storage

Store Turtle Magic Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. To reheat, microwave a bar for about 10-15 seconds to soften the caramel before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but omit or reduce the sea salt to avoid the bars becoming too salty.

Do I need to line the baking dish with foil?

Lining the dish with foil makes it much easier to lift the bars out for cutting and serving, but you can also grease the pan well if you prefer.

Turtle Magic Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 54 reviews

Turtle Magic Bars are a decadent layered dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, rich caramel bits, and sweetened condensed milk. Baked until golden brown, these bars combine the classic flavors of chocolate, caramel, and nuts into an irresistibly sweet treat perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)

Toppings

• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 cups caramel bits
• 12 ounces sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 7×11-inch baking dish with foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the dish aside.
2. Make the crust: In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour and optional sea salt until just combined. Press this dough mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until it is lightly golden brown.
3. Add toppings: Remove the crust from the oven and evenly sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the warm crust. Follow by sprinkling the chopped pecans and then the caramel bits evenly on top. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over all the layers, trying to cover the toppings as much as possible for a cohesive, gooey texture.
4. Bake the bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Keep an eye on the bars towards the end to prevent burning.
5. Cool and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the foil to remove the bars from the pan and cut them into squares or rectangles to serve.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is softened for easy creaming with the sugar.
• Using foil to line the pan makes removal and cleanup easier.
• For extra texture, toast pecans lightly before adding.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Turtle Magic Bars, caramel bars, pecan bars, chocolate caramel dessert, layered bars, easy baked sweets