Turtle Magic Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No Coconut: Unlike many traditional magic bars, this recipe omits coconut, catering to those who prefer or need to avoid it.​
• Rich Layers: The combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel offers a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite.​
• Simple Preparation: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, these bars come together quickly and easily.​

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• For the Crust:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened​
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed​
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour​
  • Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)​

• For the Layers:

  • 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips​
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans​
  • 1 1/2 cups caramel bits​
  • 12 ounces sweetened condensed milk​

Directions

1. Prepare the Crust:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).​
   • Line a 7×11-inch baking dish with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.​
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth.​
   • Gradually add the flour (and sea salt, if using), mixing until combined.​
   • Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.​
   • Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.​

2. Assemble the Bars:

   • Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the baked crust.​
   • Layer the chopped pecans and caramel bits over the chocolate chips.​
   • Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the entire mixture, ensuring coverage.​

3. Bake:

   • Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.​

4. Cool and Serve:

   • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.​
   • Once cooled, lift the foil from the pan, cut into bars, and serve.​

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Approximately 15 bars​
• Preparation Time: 10 minutes​
• Cooking Time: 45-50 minutes​
• Total Time: 55-60 minutes​

Variations

• Nut-Free Option: Omit the pecans and consider adding additional chocolate chips or other preferred toppings.​
• Different Chocolates: Experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips for varied flavor profiles.​
• Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt: After baking, a light sprinkle of sea salt can enhance the sweetness and add a gourmet touch.​

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.​
• Freezing: These bars freeze well. Wrap them tightly and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.​

FAQs

Can I use a different size baking dish?

Using a different size may affect the thickness of the bars. If using a larger dish, the bars may be thinner and require less baking time; a smaller dish will result in thicker bars and may need additional baking time.​

Is it necessary to refrigerate the bars after baking?

Refrigeration is not necessary unless you prefer chilled bars or need to store them for an extended period.​

Can I use sweetened condensed milk from a carton?

It’s best to use canned sweetened condensed milk for this recipe, as carton versions may have different consistencies and sweetness levels.​

How do I prevent the crust from being too hard?

Ensure you don’t overbake the crust; baking just until golden brown helps maintain a tender base.​

Can I add other toppings?

Feel free to customize with other toppings like toffee bits, dried fruits, or different nuts, keeping in mind the balance of flavors and textures.​

Conclusion

Turtle Magic Bars are a delectable fusion of textures and flavors, offering a chewy base, rich chocolate, crunchy nuts, and sweet caramel, all bound together with sweetened condensed milk. Their simplicity and versatility make them a must-try for any dessert enthusiast.

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