butter pecan turtle bars

Butter Pecan Turtle Bars

Crust:

1/2 cup, 1 stick butter, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

2 cups flour

2 1/2 cups pecan pieces

Caramel Topping:

1 cups light brown sugar

3/4 cup butter

and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, milk chocolate or white chocolate, or a combination for top

Prepare crust first.  In mixing bowl, beat crust butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Turn mixer down to lowest speed and add flour.  Mix just until flour is incorporated.  Pour crust crumbles into 9 x 13 baking pan that has been sprayed with pan release.  Lightly spread mixture evenly in pan breaking up any large pieces with fingers.

Sprinkle crust evenly with pecans.

Place topping sugar and butter in small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture comes to a soft rolling boil.  Cook, still stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until mixture is a smooth caramel consistency.

Pour caramel evenly over nuts.  Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 24 minutes or until caramel is starting to bubble around the edges.

Immediately remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Once chocolate chips start to melt, lightly spread them with a knife swirling from side to side.

Allow turtle bars to cool completely before cutting.                enjoy xo