Another delicious recipe from my grandmother’s cookbook, these Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars are a fun, easy bar version of a Turtle candy. They’re sweet, salty and perfect for parties!
You might also love these festive turtle thumbprint cookies.
Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars
So the weather here has been kind of crazy lately. Not Boston crazy, but Atlanta crazy. Like 60s one weekend, then freezing rain and ice a week or two later. Like, how does that work?
About this time last year we had the Snowpocalypse. Ice for days and stranded cars everywhere. Fortunately the hubs mad me leave work earlier, so I ended up getting home just as it was starting to get bad.
The weather we’ve had this week has been nothing compared to that, but it is seriously cold. And even though the roads are fine, the ice on our bushes and trees is pretty thick. Some people lost power and some trees were down, but we were fine. The hubs wrapped some bungee cords around a couple trees that are kind of small and were starting to bend and look like they might snap.
With the warmer weather we’d had, some of our flower bulbs had actually started coming up and sadly they will most likely die now. I’m not sure what they’re called, but they are pretty purple flowers…though not this year.
Supposedly there’s a chance for more snow and ice this weekend. We’ll see. I know it it’ll be nothing compared to Boston no matter what.
Maybe I should make another batch of these bars to keep us company though, just in case? They’re quick and easy to make.
After making Moist and Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies and Pineapple Coconut Bars from my grandmother’s cookbook, I decided these bars looked like fun ones to make next.
The recipe is actually cut out of what looks like a magazine. It looks like it was ad for Nestle product. You know, like the ones you’ll often see in magazines now? With a recipe using the product?
And though I think thy are basically like a bar version of turtle candies, that’s partly because I used pecans instead of walnuts. They were called “Triple Treats Candy” in the recipe I have. Caramel + walnuts + chocolate = triple candy. Smart, right? You could use walnuts or pecans.
Despite being an old recipe, I had to make these bars several times to get them just right. The original recipe calls for a 14 oz bag of caramels. I’m guessing they used to sell a 14 oz bag, but they don’t anymore. Now it’s 11 oz. And rather than have a recipe where you use a full bag plus a little of another, I decided to alter the recipe a bit so that the problem was solved.
The first time around, there was too much butter and water added. After cutting them into bars, the caramel slowly oozed out all over the place. They were stacked on a plate and ended up as one big brick.
The second batch didn’t have enough butter and water and those were like trying to bite into a brick.
Finally the third batch was just right. Soft enough to bite into but firm enough that they don’t melt.
The original recipe doesn’t call for the salt on top, but I’m totally into chocolate, caramel and salt these days, so I added it. Feel free to leave it off though.
Yay for old recipes! 🙂
You might also like
- Turtle Cheesecake
- Chocolate Turtle Poke Cake
- Turtle Chocolate Cookie Cups
- Turtle Chocolate Layer Cake
- Caramel Turtle Pie
Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars
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Ingredients
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups, divided)
- 2 tbsp shortening (divided)
- 1 bag (11 oz) caramels (unwrapped)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place half of the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals of about 30 seconds at a time, until melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture into pan and spread into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm.
- Melt caramels, butter and water in a pan over low to medium heat until melted and smooth.
- Stir in chopped pecans.
- Remove pan from refrigerator and spread caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate layer.
- Place pan back into refrigerator until tacky, about 15 minutes.
- Place remaining half of the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals of about 30 seconds at a time, until melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate mixture over caramel and spread into an even layer. Place in refrigerator until firm.
- Cut into squares.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
My husband’s absolute favourite is Turtles – he’s going to be over the moon. Perhaps I missed it, but do these need to stay refrigerated?
I hope he enjoys them! The do not need to be refrigerated.
These are so good. Wondering if you know why the chocolate on the top cracked when I cut them.
It could be a difference in how much you measured of the chocolate chips and/or shortening or perhaps a different brand of chocolate. Maybe try adding a touch more shortening next time. Glad you enjoyed them!
I just made it. Easy Peasy and wonderful ! Thank you !!!!
So glad to hear that!
Hey, this looks amazing, can you make your own caramels instead of using a bag of caramels from the store
If you have a caramel sauce that firms up like the ones from the store, then sure.
The bars look delicious. I will try your recipe. My question is how do you cut the bars so nice and neat and even. I make fudge every year for Christmas and I have a terrible time cutting the fudge. By the time I finish it doesn’t look nice enough to put out for guests.
I usually use parchment paper that I bake under the bars to lift them out of the pan and use just use a very long and sharp knife.
hi can you freeze them after you make them thanks they so good
I haven’t ever tried it so it’s hard to say for sure, but I would think it’d be fine.
yum yum they are out of this world -did them one with pecan and the one with peanuts- how can i make them in a 9×9 or 13×9 thanks