Pecan Turtle Bars – Traybake Recipe

Indulge in these homemade pecan turtle bars: a layered treat with a buttery pecan-oat base, gooey caramel, and smooth milk chocolate topping.

If you’re a fan of rich, decadent treats, these homemade pecan turtle bars are sure to become a favourite! Inspired by the classic Canadian turtle candies, this recipe transforms the popular chocolate-caramel-pecan combination into a delicious layered traybake. The bars start with a buttery pecan and oat base, followed by a thick layer of gooey caramel, and are finished with a smooth milk chocolate topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, bake sales, or just as an indulgent homemade treat, these bars are a crowd pleaser that will leave everyone asking for the recipe.

What sets these pecan turtle bars apart is the balance of flavours and textures. The nutty crunch of the pecan-oat base pairs perfectly with the soft caramel centre, while the milk chocolate adds a sweet finish. Each bite delivers a satisfying mix of buttery, nutty, and sweet notes that will keep you coming back for more. Plus, the bars are simple enough for even beginner bakers to master, making them a fantastic option for a homemade gift or a special treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Now you may think, why turn turtles in to a bar? Well, these came about after I made a failed batch of turtles. The caramel just was a mess, and required them to be eaten with a spoon. Therefore, I took inspiration from classic caramel based bars such as millionaire shortbread as these are so easy to pick up and eat. Pecans could easily be added into a base to still include that chocolate turtle flavour.

Whether you’re looking to recreate nostalgic flavours or want to try a new twist on a classic candy, this traybake is an ideal choice. The recipe not only brings out the natural richness of pecans but also showcases the versatility of combining simple ingredients into something truly special. Let’s dive into what makes these bars so irresistible and how you can easily make them at home!

Star Ingredient

Pecans are at the heart of the classic Canadian turtle candies, which inspired these homemade bars. Traditionally, turtle candies consist of a pecan cluster topped with caramel and coated in chocolate, mimicking the shape of a turtle. The nut’s distinct buttery flavour and natural sweetness have long been the foundation of this beloved treat, providing a delicious contrast to the rich caramel and smooth chocolate. In these turtle bars, pecans help recreate that iconic combination, but with a modern twist as part of a layered traybake.

The role of pecans goes beyond just flavour; their texture adds a satisfying crunch to each bite, balancing the gooey caramel and creamy chocolate layers. They also enhance the overall experience by providing a slight earthiness that cuts through the sweetness, creating a more complex and indulgent dessert. Lightly toasting the pecans before baking can intensify their natural nuttiness, adding a deeper and more aromatic dimension to the bars.

How to Purchase Ingredients to be Conscious to the Planet

When it comes to shopping for nuts, I would recommend shopping at zero waste shops. You can easily pick up any nut without plastic bags. Containers such as glass jars, stainless steel tins or even silicone food pouches can be great ways to pick up your nuts in. If you haven’t got local shops, check out zero waste shops online. You can find my favourite ones that ship nationwide here.

Just like nuts, oats are another product that tends to come in plastic bags in supermarkets. Yes, you can pick up large bags to have better product to packaging ratio. However, oats are a staple at zero waste shops and are great to buy in bulk as you can utilise them in so many recipes. My favourite bag to use to pick oats up in is Kilner bulk food bags. I can only seem to find them on eBay now. However, if you can find some, I would definitely recommend.

Chocolate is another favourite baking ingredient to pick up from zero waste shops. I have one local store that stocks them, otherwise I support online zero waste shops. Zero Store, Forrist and The Source Bulk Foods are a few of my favourites.

Condensed milk comes in aluminium tins which allows them to be recycled easily. What you will want to ensure is that you thoroughly rinse out the tin and allow it to dry before popping into your recycling bin.

Equipment You Will Need

• 8 Inch Square Baking Tin
• Baking Parchment Paper
• Saucepan
• Spatula
• Heat Proof Bowl
• Angled Palette Knife
• Sharp Knife

Tips and Tricks when Baking Pecan Turtle Bar

Lining your Baking Tin

If you have a loose bottom baking tin, make use of it. However, if you don’t have one, just make sure that your parchment paper overhangs the sides. Having the overhang means you can use that to lift the bars out of the tin.

Setting your Caramel

When it comes to the caramel you can set it in 2 ways. You can pop the tin into the fridge. However, if your fridge is full and you haven’t got the space, you can leave it out. The caramel will set at room temperature but may just take a bit longer. Setting it at room temperature also means that when the chocolate is added on top, it doesn’t set to quickly. It allows you time to spread it out evenly over the whole top.

Creating the Chocolate Topping

The easy option is to simply melt the chocolate. If you want to create a glossy shiny to the chocolate you can temper the chocolate.

Another alternative is to use a chocolate ganache such as one on used to top salted caramel million brownies. This option won’t give a snap like a simple chocolate topping would give, so it’s something to consider.

Cutting your Pecan Turtle Bars

Here are a for tips when cutting your bars. If you have set the bars overnight, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cutting. This means the chocolate won’t be cold and less likely crack. Secondly, have a jug of hot water to hand to dip your knife into. Dipping the knife into the hot water and then wiping it dry, means that the knife is warm and easier to glide through the layers.

Size of your Pecan Turtle Bars

This recipe creates larger bars (16 bars) and they are square in shape. However, if once cut these seem bigger than you would like, you can easily just half the bars again. This creates smaller rectangle bars. If you were making these for sharing or as part of party food, this may be a better size.

Pecan Turtle Bars

Indulge in these homemade pecan turtle bars: a layered treat with a buttery pecan-oat base, gooey caramel, and smooth milk chocolate topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Set Time:4 hours hrs

Keyword: Traybake, Treat

Servings: 16 Bars

Equipment

• 8 Inch Square Baking Tin
• Baking Parchment Paper
• Saucepan
• Spatula
• Heat Proof Bowl
• Angled Palette Knife
• Sharp Knife

Ingredients

Pecan Base

• 200 g Pecan roughly chopped
• 150 g Oats
• 125 g Dark Brown Sugar
• 125 g Butter / Plant Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Honey

Caramel

• 200 g Butter / Plant Based Butter
• 3 Tablespoons Caster Sugar
• 395 g Condensed Milk 1 tin

Chocolate Top

• 200 g Milk Chocolate

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Line an 8” square cake tin with parchment paper.
• In a saucepan add in the butter, honey, and dark brown sugar for the base and melt over a medium heat.
• Once melted, add in the oats and pecans and stir until fully coated.
• Pour the pecan base mixture into the cake tin and spread out so that it is even.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden.
• Once baked remove more the oven and set aside while you make the caramel.
• To make the caramel, add the sugar, butter and condensed milk into a saucepan and over a low heat melt together until the sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly.
• Once the sugar has dissolved, top the heat up to a medium/high and boil for 7-10 minutes, stirring constantly until darker in colour and thickened.
• Pour the caramel over the pecan base and leave to cool and set for 2 hours.
• When ready, melt the chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring frequently.
• Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel and spend evenly using a palette knife.
• Allow the pecan turtle bars to set for 2 hours or overnight before cutting into bars.
• To cut into bars, remove from the tin and using a warm sharp knife cut into quarters one way and then quarter the other way to get 16 squares.

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