Caramel Pecan Turtle Bars

caramel sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade date caramel

💰Cheaper: butterscotch sauce

Homemade date caramel provides a healthier option with natural sweetness.

chocolate chips

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate chips

💰Cheaper: chocolate bar chunks

Dark chocolate chips reduce sugar content while maintaining flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free alternative.

pecans

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are a healthier nut option, while sunflower seeds are a budget-friendly alternative.

Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with aluminum foil, allowing it to overhang by about 2 inches, and spray it with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, blend together all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and Argo corn starch.

Cut in the butter with two forks or a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.

Stir in the finely chopped pecans.

Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan.

Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 350°F for 11 to 13 minutes, or until lightly brown.

While the crust is baking, combine Werther's chewy caramels, butter, heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons of Caro dark corn syrup in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Heat the caramel mixture in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth and creamy.

Pour the caramel mixture over the baked crust.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 11 to 13 minutes, or until the caramel is just starting to bubble.

Sprinkle a generous amount of semisweet chocolate chips over the hot caramel.

Use the back of a spoon to swirl the melted chocolate into the caramel for presentation.

Refrigerate the entire pan for about 2 hours, or until the chocolate is set.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens