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Home » Most Posts » Turtle Caramel Bars

Turtle Caramel Bars

By: Rosemary Published: November 11, 2020 Updated on: June 5, 2022

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These Turtle Caramel Bars are made with lots of chocolate, nuts, a simple caramel filling and a delicious shortbread base. Put it all together to make one of the most delicious cookie bars. These Caramel Bars will be the perfect addition to your Christmas Baking.

bars on parchment paper

When I was a kid in Canada I can always remember eating these ooey gooey chocolate caramel sweets that supposedly resembled a turtle and needless to say were called Turtles. I loved those things. And now I love these Turtle Cookie Bars. So when I was flipping through a cookbook my Mom gave me when I first got married, I found these amazing sounding Turtle Cookie Bars. These my friends were a definite must, especially this year when we all need a bit more sweetness!

Table of Contents

  • How to make them
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • What is a bar cookie?
  • How do you know when they are done?
  • How to store them
  • How to freeze them
  • More Delicious Bar Cookies
  • Turtle Caramel Bars
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • SHORTBREAD BASE
      • TOPPING
    • Instructions 
      • TOPPING
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

How to make them

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and sugar, with a pastry blender or fork mix in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of an ungreased cake pan, bake. 

mixed shortbread base and in the pan before baking

In a medium pot, combine the brown sugar and butter, bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly and continue to boil for a couple of minutes. Then pour over the baked shortbread base.

making the caramel sauce and pouring on the shortbread base

Sprinkle the nuts on top then bake for approximately 13-15 minutes or until bubbly.

nuts sprinkled on top before and after baking

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with the milk chocolate chips, let stand for a few minutes then with the tip of a knife, swirl the chocolate. Let cool completely then cut into small squares.

before and after adding the chocolate chips when cooled
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    What is a bar cookie?

    Bar cookies are made from a batter or stiff dough, such as a shortbread base, that is either poured or pressed into a baking pan and then baked, sometimes the base is pre-baked before the filling is added and then baked again. It is then cooled and cut into bars or squares. Bars are usually single layered, such as Brownies or multi layered such as these Caramel Bars.

    How do you know when they are done?

    For single layered bars, test with a wooden pick which is inserted at the centre of the pan. If it comes out clean or even better with a few  crumbs attached, they are done. With layered bars it is best to follow the recipe instructions and not to over bake.

    3 bars on top of each other

    How to store them

    Bar cookies can be stored in their baking pan tightly covered with foil or they can be removed and kept in an air tight container, layered between parchment paper. Bar cookies removed from the pan should be stored in an airtight container. Separate bar cookies with waxed paper between layers. They will keep for about 4 days at room temperature, or up to a week in the fridge. If your house is very warm then I would advise refrigerating them.

    How to freeze them

    If you wish to freeze the whole pan, then it is a good idea to line the pan with parchment paper so it is easier to remove. Be sure to cool the bar cookies completely before double wrapping in plastic wrap then foil. If freezing the sliced bars, then place in a freezer safe container between layers of parchment paper. Either way the bars will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature.

    bars on top of each other on a plate

    What’s so great about these you ask? Everything, nothing better than the combination of chocolate nuts and caramel! And of course made with my favourite base, Shortbread. Nothing says Christmas more than Shortbread in my opinion.

    More Delicious Bar Cookies

    • Magic Cookies Bars
    • Apple Pie Bars
    • Lemon Squares
    • White Chocolate Almond Bars

    So if you are looking for a new bar cookie this Holiday Season I hope you give these bars a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

    upclose caramel bar
    bar cookies in a black plate

    Turtle Caramel Bars

    Rosemary Molloy
    These Turtle Caramel Bars are made with lots of chocolate, a simple caramel filling and a delicious shortbread base.
    4.67 from 24 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 squares
    Calories 334 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    SHORTBREAD BASE

    • 1 1/2 cups flour (195 grams)
    • 1/2 cup sugar (100 grams)
    • 3/4 cups butter (softened) (169 grams)

    TOPPING

    • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed (110 grams)
    • 2/3 cup butter (150 grams)
    • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts (150 grams)
    • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (180 grams)

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 350°.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and sugar, with a pastry blender or fork mix in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 9 inch (23 cm) square cake pan ( I used a spring form pan or line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal). Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

    TOPPING

    • In a medium pot, combine the brown sugar and butter, over medium/low heat, bring it to a boil, stirring constantly continue to boil for approximately 1-2 minutes, be sure not to let it burn, remove from the heat then pour over baked shortbread base, sprinkle the nuts on top then bake for approximately 13-15 minutes or until bubbly.
    • Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with milk chocolate chips, let stand for approximately 3 minutes then with the tip of a knife, gently swirl the chocolate. Let cool completely, then cut into small squares. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    For easier cutting, refrigerate the cooled bars for about 30 minutes, then slice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 502IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword caramel bars, Christmas Cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Updated from December 10, 2015.

    Source:  Kay Spicer / From Mom, With Love – Real Home Cooking

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      Chocolate, Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Desserts, Most Posts, Nuts

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      1. Lisa says

        December 28, 2022 at 7:08 pm

        5 stars
        So easy and SOOO good – big hit. Made 2nd batch next day!!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 28, 2022 at 8:06 pm

          Hi Lisa, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Happy New Year!

          Reply
      2. Ann Nichols says

        September 11, 2021 at 7:37 am

        4 stars
        Just made these today and they are scrumptious. What do you think about adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          September 13, 2021 at 6:12 pm

          Hi Ann, thanks so much, I think that would work fine. 🙂

          Reply
      3. Susan says

        December 6, 2020 at 4:19 pm

        I love the taste of these bars but I found that the caramel separates from the base when it’s cooled. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 6, 2020 at 4:30 pm

          Hi Susan, maybe you should pour it over the base while it is still warm from the oven and then bake it.

          Reply
      4. Angelina says

        November 12, 2020 at 6:32 pm

        These bars will surely please my family. We’re all lovers of shortbread, and you can’t go wrong when adding nuts & chocolate. I’m anxious to make these, but I only have semi-sweet choc. chips, so that’s what I’ll use, along with pecans. I also like that this is easy to put together, and that I usually have these ingredients on hand. Thank you 🙂

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          November 13, 2020 at 11:03 am

          Hi Angelina, I sometimes use semi sweet and they are delicious either way. Let me know how it turns out. Have a great weekend.

          Reply
      5. Elizabeth says

        October 18, 2017 at 7:49 am

        Can you freeze bars? I would love to get started on Christmas but I am not sure the best methods for freezing. Do you have an article for freezing dough or cookies?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 18, 2017 at 5:45 pm

          Hi Elizabeth, yes you can freeze bars and here is a link to a post on freezing cookies, bars and dough, let me know if I missed something. Thanks https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/my-moms-best-christmas-cookies-and-bars/freezing-cookies-and-bars/

          Reply
      6. Patti says

        February 21, 2017 at 12:44 pm

        5 stars
        These were so good, thanks for the recipe.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 21, 2017 at 12:45 pm

          Hi Patti, thanks so glad you enjoyed them.

          Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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