I thought my aunts’ recipe was gone forever, but guess what? I found it and it tastes even better than I remembered!

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Assemble the Bars:
    • Spread the caramel evenly over the baked crust.
    • Sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel layer.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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!

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