Butter Pecan Turtle Bars

These butter pecan turtle bars feature so many layers of decadent deliciousness! A buttery shortbread is topped with gooey caramel and pecans, then finished with rich chocolate ganache and more nuts.

Any dessert labeled turtle or butter pecan is irresistible in my book. Add the two together, and I don’t stand a chance. That is evidenced by these rich and delicious butter pecan turtle bars!

Why You’ll Love This Butter Pecan Turtle Bar Recipe

• Easy to make. These bars are a great quick and easy baking project. Even with a few different layers, they still are surprisingly fast to come together. 
• Go a long way. With all these layers and flavors, you’ve probably guessed that these bars are quite rich. The ones you see here were cut into 2-inch square bars, which will yield 24 bars. I’ve also cut them into smaller bars for when you just want a couple of sweet bites.
• Rich and decadent. The best part, of course, is how amazingly delicious they are. If you’re craving a sweet, nutty, gooey dessert, these are just the thing!

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Crust:

• Unsalted butter – Learn more about salted vs. unsalted butter for baking.
• Brown sugar – Here’s the difference between light and dark brown sugar.
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Chopped pecans – Pecan pieces are less expensive than pecan halves, so I recommend buying those since you’ll be chopping them anyway.

Filling:

• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Salt – Just a pinch keeps the caramel layer from being cloying. You can add extra for more of a proper salted caramel flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Use homemade vanilla extract or a high-quality store-bought brand.

Topping:

• Dark chocolate – Learn more: Types of Chocolate: A Home Baker’s Guide
• Corn syrup – I prefer to add just a bit of corn syrup to the ganache to make it sturdier, but you can certainly omit it if you like.
• Heavy cream – This is not a recipe where you can skimp; you’ll need heavy cream for that signature ganache texture.
• Pecans

Should I Toast the Pecans for This Recipe?

It’s up to you! You can use roasted or raw pecans, or purchase raw pecans and toast them yourself. Here’s how to toast pecans.

How to Make Butter Pecan Turtle Bars

• Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Cream the butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 
• Finish the shortbread dough. Add the salt and gradually mix in the flour until just combined and the mixture is sandy, but holds together when pinched.
• Form the crust. Press the shortbread dough into the bottom of an ungreased 9″x 13″x 2″ pan. Sprinkle the pecans on top.
• Make the caramel. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and salt, then let the mixture come to a boil. Continue stirring for about 30 seconds; remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

• Bake. Pour the caramel over the crust and pecans, then bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges are browned. Set aside to cool.
• Warm the cream. Pour the cream into a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then remove from the heat. 
• Finish the ganache. Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and corn syrup in a heat-proof bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.
• Top and cool. Pour the ganache over the bars and sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans over the top. Allow the ganache to set before cutting the bars.

Variations

Although turtles (and butter pecan turtle bars!) are typically made with pecans, you can use any nuts you like in this recipe. Walnuts, almonds, and cashews would work quite well, or try macadamia nuts or hazelnuts for something a little bit different. 

For more of a sweet-and-salty flavor, add flaky fleur de sel or Maldon sea salt to the tops of the bars.

How to Store

Store butter pecan turtle bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. If you prefer your turtle bars chilled, they can be quite delightful straight from the refrigerator, or you can let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to warm up a bit.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Yes, butter pecan turtle bars freeze wonderfully. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the bars to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw the bars at room temperature for a couple of hours before serving. 

More Crowd-Pleasing Bars

• M&M Marshmallow Sugar Cookie Bars
• Chewy Pecan Pie Bars
• Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Spiced Cheesecake Bars
• Seven Layer Bars

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