Butter Pecan Turtle Bars

My husband is not a big sweets eater. He would much rather munch on a salty snack than something sweet any day of the week. I am the complete opposite. I will always pick the sweet before the salty. Always. Most of the leftover sweets that I make get taken to work to be eaten by my thankful co-workers who are always glad when John doesn’t fully partake. More for them. Two sweets that he does love are homemade chocolate cream pie and Turtles. You know Turtles, those candies that Nestle makes with the pecans, caramel and chocolate in the striped box? These:

He loves them. There are in his stocking every year (Bit-O-Honeys are in mine). As soon as I saw this recipe on Kitchen Scrapbook I knew I had to make these for him. Thanks for the recipe Kay.

Butter Pecan Turtle Bars
Printable recipe
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup butter, softened
1-cup pecan pieces

Mix the flour, sugar, and butter. This mixture will seem to crumbly and dry when you pat it in the bottom of the pan. In fact I had to go back and re-read Kay's recipe to double check. She confirmed my suspicions about he crumbly batter. It's ok. It will bake up fine. Pat into 9x13 pan. Sprinkle pecan pieces over crust.

Caramel Layer
2/3-cup butter (I used a stick and about 2 1/2 tablespoons to get the 2/3)
½ cup brown sugar, packed (I used dark brown, I was out of light!)
1-cup milk chocolate chips

In a 1-quart saucepan combine butter and sugar. Heat until this mixture boils (about 1 minute) stirring constantly. Pour over pecan crust. Bake at 350 on center rack for 18 – 22 minutes or until entire surface of caramel is bubbly and crust is lightly browned.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on and allow to melt slightly, swirl as they melt. Cool and cut into squares.

Although this don't taste exactly like the turtles in the box, it's close enough. Delicious is delicious no matter what way you slice it, or in this case, cut it, lol.