Sweet and Chewy Turtle Bars (Printable Version)

Chewy oat bars featuring chocolate chips, toasted pecans, and caramel swirls under a golden buttery crumb topping.

# What You Need:

→ Crust & Topping

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup rolled oats
03 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

→ Filling

08 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
09 - 1 cup chopped pecans

→ Caramel Layer

10 - 1 cup caramel sauce
11 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, and baking soda. Mix until crumbly texture forms.
03 - Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan to form crust layer.
04 - Bake crust for 10 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
05 - In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine caramel sauce and heavy cream. Stir constantly until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat.
06 - Evenly sprinkle chocolate chips over warm crust, then sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
07 - Pour warm caramel sauce evenly over chocolate and pecans.
08 - Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over caramel layer.
09 - Return pan to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until topping is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The perfect harmony of sweet caramel, rich chocolate, and toasted pecans.
  • A buttery oat crust that provides a satisfying, chewy texture.
  • Easy preparation using simple pantry staples.
  • Versatile enough for potlucks, holidays, or a simple afternoon treat.
02 -
  • Line the pan with parchment paper with an overhang for easy lifting and cutting.
  • Stir the caramel and heavy cream constantly over low heat to prevent the mixture from scorching.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 1 week to keep them fresh and chewy.
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