I thought my aunts’ recipe was gone forever, but guess what? I found it and it tastes even better than I remembered!
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a bowl, combine the flour, melted butter, powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.
- Make the Caramel Layer:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Spread the caramel evenly over the baked crust.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel layer.
- Bake Again:
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pecans are lightly browned and the caramel starts bubbling.
- Add Chocolate Topping:
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot bars.
- Allow the chocolate to melt for a few minutes, then use a spatula to spread it evenly over the bars.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the Turtle Bars cool completely in the baking dish.
- Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, try using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- Enhance the sweet-salty contrast by sprinkling flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate layer.
- Substitute pecans with almonds or walnuts if desired.
- These bars can be prepared ahead and frozen for later enjoyment.
Enjoy these indulgent Turtle Bars, perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside a cup of hot coffee!