Print

Easy Turtle Bars

Easy Turtle Bars
Print Recipe

Easy Turtle Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with gooey caramel, crunchy nuts, and melted chocolate for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This simple no-fuss dessert is quick to prepare, customizable, and ideal for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, divided

Caramel Layer

  • 14 oz caramel candies (about 40 pieces) or 1 cup caramel sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (optional, for creaminess)

Chocolate Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet or milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and half of the chopped nuts. Mix until the mixture is crumbly but sticks together when pressed. Press the mixture firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, forming an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until just golden to set the base.
  2. Add the Caramel Layer: While the crust is baking, unwrap the caramel candies and gently heat them with a little water or sweetened condensed milk until smooth and creamy. Pour or spread the warm caramel evenly over the baked crust, tilting the pan if needed to cover all corners. Sprinkle the remaining chopped nuts evenly on top to add crunch and traditional turtle appearance.
  3. Top with Chocolate: Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the warm caramel layer. Let the residual heat soften the chocolate chips, then use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread and smooth the melted chocolate over the bars, sealing in the caramel and nuts.
  4. Chill and Cut: Allow the pan to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let all layers set firmly. Once solid, cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Notes

  • Use fresh nuts and lightly toast them for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Warm caramel gently to avoid burning or graininess.
  • Press crust firmly to prevent crumbling when cutting bars.
  • Choose good quality chocolate chips for better melting and richer taste.
  • Make sure to chill bars fully for clean, smooth cuts without chocolate cracking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Turtle Bars, caramel dessert, chocolate bars, easy dessert, no-bake chocolate caramel bars, nutty caramel bars

Find it online: https://mydishez.com/easy-turtle-bars/