Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtle Bars Recipes

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN TURTLES

Steps:

• Toast pecans at 300 degrees on a cookie sheet for 5 to 6 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.
• Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with non stick cooking spray.
• Arrange the pecans on the sheet in small groups of 3.
• To make the caramel, melt butter in a medium sized sauce pan.
• Add brown sugar, corn syrup, 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk.
• Cook and stir over medium high heat until it reaches 235 degrees on your candy thermometer or the soft ball stage. (Clings together well when you drop 1/2 teaspoon of caramel in cold water).
• Then remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla. Carefully spoon caramel over each nut cluster covering all the nuts.
• For the chocolate topping melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl or big glass measuring cup. Heat for 30 seconds at a time stirring after each interval until all melted and smooth.
• Then add in 1/2 teaspoon shortening to the melted chocolate chips. Stir all together until its blended in.
• Spoon the melted chocolate over the caramel and spread around with the back of a spoon.
• Once they set up you can eat them or store them in an airtight container.
• Great for gift giving and holiday parties.

CARAMEL PECAN TURTLE CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Grease a large cookie sheet well.
• Arrange 4 pecan halves in a cluster, flat side down on cookie sheet.
• Repeat with the rest of the pecan halves.
• Place one caramel on top of each cluster.
• Heat in oven until caramels are softened, about 4-6 minutes.
• Press caramels flat with the bottom of a buttered spatula (you may have to butter the spatula after every 2 or 3 caramels, or it will get very sticky).
• Remove caramels evenly onto waxed paper.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler, or in microwave on medium high, stirring every 25 seconds until just melted.
• Spoon over caramel-pecan clusters.
• Let cool a few hours.
• Makes 26.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN TURTLE BARS

Steps:

• Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated 300°F oven until they darken slightly in color and begin to give off a nutty toasted aroma, about 4 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Add flour, brown sugar, and butter to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture becomes a very crumbly dough.
• Pour the dough into the prepared pan and gently press the dough into the bottom of the pan to create a solid crust. Make sure the crust reaches all the way into the edges and corners of the pan and that there are no holes in the crust.
• Bake the crust until it's a light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the caramel pecan layer.
• In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve. Let the mixture boil without stirring for 1 minute, then remove the pan from the heat.
• Sprinkle the toasted pecans over the shortbread crust and pour the caramel over the pecans.
• Return the pan to the oven and bake the bars until the caramel is bubbling and darkens slightly in color, about 15 minutes. Remove the bars from the oven a let cool completely.*
• Once the bars have cooled, prepare the chocolate ganache. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl and set aside. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it's just simmering (not boiling!). Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Then gently whisk the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Pour the chocolate ganache over the cooled bars and spread it into an even layer using a spatula. Let the chocolate set before sprinkling with salt (optional), slicing, and serving the bars.

PECAN TURTLES® BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine flour, 1 cup brown sugar, and softened butter in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Pat mixture evenly onto bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly over crumb mixture.
• Combine 2/3 cup butter and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in small saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until entire surface is bubbly; cook, stirring constantly, 1/2 to 1 minute more. Pour into pan, spreading evenly over crust.
• Bake in preheated oven until entire surface is bubbly, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven; immediately sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes to allow chocolate to melt; use a knife or small spatula to swirl chocolate slightly. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Use sharp knife to cut into 48 bars.