Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1/2 cup (1 stick)
- Light brown sugar, packed: 1/4 cup
- Cream cheese, softened: 4 ounces
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Caramel candies, unwrapped: 11 ounces
- Heavy cream: 1/4 cup
- Pecan halves: 1 1/2 cups
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine flour, softened butter, brown sugar, cream cheese, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Step 2: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Step 3: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown.
- Step 4: While the crust is baking, melt the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Step 5: Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the pecan halves evenly over the caramel.
- Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbly and the pecans are lightly toasted. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store leftover turtle bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- For a warm, gooey treat, microwave a single bar for 10-15 seconds before serving.
- Serve these decadent bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra special dessert.
- For easier spreading, briefly warm the unwrapped caramels in the microwave for 30 seconds before melting them with the cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American