Christmas Turtle Bars – Get into the holiday spirit, with these Christmas Turtle Bars! They are a perfect treat for holiday get-togethers combining the decadence of chocolate the crunchiness of pecans and the gooey sweetness of caramel. You won’t be able to resist these bars that are made with all-purpose flour, sweet chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk. They are guaranteed to please any crowd.
this Recipe
I still vividly remember the first time I baked these bars. It was a cold December evening when our home was filled with the inviting smell of baked goods. As soon as those golden and tempting bars came out of the oven I could hardly wait for them to cool down. My husband and our child were just as excited as I was. The moment we took a bite we knew this recipe was something special. It has now become a part of our family’s cherished Christmas tradition.
What makes this Christmas Turtle Bars truly special?
What makes these Christmas Turtle Bars so beloved during the holidays? Firstly they are incredibly quick and easy to make requiring 10 minutes of prep time followed by a 50-minute bake in the oven – for those busy holiday moments. Every bite captures the essence by combining holiday flavors like chocolate, pecans, and caramel in an absolutely delightful way. Moreover, this recipe offers possibilities, for customization. You can truly make it your own according to your preferences. Whether you have a preference, for types of nuts or different flavors of chocolate these bars can be easily adjusted to cater to your taste. This way everyone attending your holiday gathering can indulge in a customized treat.
What You Need To Make This Christmas Turtle Bars Recipe?
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Unsalted Butter: Whenever I bake I always go for unsalted butter. It gives me control over the saltiness. Allows me to achieve a balance of flavors. Additionally, its creamy texture adds a touch, to the crust.
Light Brown Sugar: Here’s my little secret for adding a hint of caramel sweetness to the crust. Light brown sugar brings in a touch of molasses without overpowering the flavors.
All Purpose Flour: This baking serves as the foundation for our bars. It’s like the canvas upon which we create our masterpiece!
Fine Sea Salt: Just a pinch! It’s incredible how this tiny amount enhances the flavors especially when it comes to chocolate and caramel.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These little gems are at the heart of these Christmas Turtle Bars. They melt beautifully creating pockets of chocolatey delight in every bite.
Chopped Pecans: I adore their crunchiness. Pecans have this way of making everything feel more warm and festive, don’t they?
Caramel Bits: Gooey, absolutely irresistible. They form this layer that binds all the flavors together harmoniously.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: It’s like an elixir, in this recipe. It brings all the ingredients together into a truly divine layer.
Steps To Make Christmas Turtle Bars:
Step 1: Before you begin preheat your oven to 350°F. Take a baking dish that measures 7×11 inches line it with foil and give it a spray of cooking spray.
Step 2: To make the crust start by combining the butter and brown sugar in a bowl until they become smooth and well blended. Then gently mix in the flour and sea salt. Press this mixture into the baking dish. Bake for about 15 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
Step 3: Now it’s time, to layer on the deliciousness! After baking the crust sprinkle chocolate chips over it followed by a layer of pecans. Finally, top it all off with caramel bits. Make sure to drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the surface so that everything is evenly covered.
Step 4: Place this masterpiece back, in the oven. Bake for another 30 to 35 minutes until you achieve a beautiful golden brown top.
Step 5: Once done baking allow the dish to cool completely while still in the pan. Once cooled, cut into bars. Serve them up!
Step 6: Enjoy your treat!
Tip:
Before you add the chopped pecans to the bars take a moment to toast them. It’s a step that can really make a difference. Toasting the pecans in the oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until they become fragrant and slightly darker helps bring out their oils and enhances both their flavor and crunch. This little trick adds a layer of nuttiness and warmth, to the bars making them more irresistible, with a touch of gourmet flair that your friends and family will absolutely adore!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Of course! You can definitely use chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet ones. Dark chocolate will give your recipe a robust flavor.
What can I use instead of pecans?
If you don’t have pecans, on hand walnuts or almonds are great substitutes. It all depends on your preference and taste.
Can these bars be frozen for later?
Absolutely! These bars freeze wonderfully. Just make sure to wrap them before storing them. They’ll stay delicious for a couple of months.
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Christmas Turtle Bars
- Author: Audrey
- Total Time: 1 HOUR
- Yield: 15 SQUARES 1x
Description
Immerse yourself in the allure of Christmas Turtle Bars, a treat that artfully combines the festive atmosphere with irresistible flavors. Each square is a symphony of textures; a buttery golden crust forms the base adorned with a layer of sweet chocolate chips that melt into the satisfying crunch of pecans. Gooey caramel bits contribute a touch of sweetness all brought together by a velvety drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. These bars are more than dessert; they embody the spirit of holiday moments perfect for sharing joy and stories, with loved ones. Whether you’re a baker or venturing into holiday treats for the time these Christmas Turtle Bars promise to bring warmth and indulgence to your festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1/3 c light brown sugar, packed
1 c all-purpose flour
A pinch of fine sea salt
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 & 1/2 c chopped pecans
1 & 1/2 c caramel bits
12 oz sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 7×11 inch baking dish and line it with foil then lightly grease it with cooking spray.
Creating the Crust: In a bowl mix together 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/3 cup of packed light brown sugar, until creamy. Add in 1 cup of all-purpose flour and a pinch of sea salt. Press this mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until it turns a golden color.
Adding the Toppings: Take out the crust from the oven. Sprinkle evenly over it 12 oz of sweet chocolate chips followed by 1 & 1/2 cups each of chopped pecans and caramel bits.
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top using 12 oz. Place back in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled cut them into shapes. They are ready to be served.
Notes
Converting these Christmas Turtle Bars into a gluten-free treat is surprisingly easy and doesn’t compromise the taste or texture. Just replace the all-purpose flour with your gluten-free flour blend that can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio. It’s best to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum since it helps replicate the texture and structure that gluten provides. While most of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free it’s always a practice, to double check labels particularly, for the caramel bits and chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 10 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 50 MINUTES
Audrey
