#43 Turtle Cookie Bars

I had a little fiasco the other day... The microwave wasn't working. And the boys I babysit wanted to make cookies or cake. I know what you're thinking - why do you need a microwave to bake cookies or cake in the oven? I'll tell you why: Almost all desserts require softened, room temperature butter, so the butter straight from the fridge wasn't going to work. And without a microwave to soften it, I was left with no choice but to find a treat that called for either cold or melted butter. 

Therefore, voila, Turtle Cookie Bars... using butter melted on the stove. Score. I'm actually really glad this happened because these are the BOMB. I am a sucker for the old salty-and-sweet type of thing, and this is the perfect dessert for that. Sweet caramel and dark chocolate and salty almonds (or whatever nut you prefer).

These are pretty easy, just melt some butter and brown sugar, add in your egg, flour, etc., and layer the batter with chocolate, caramel and nuts. Then wait 25 excruciatingly long minutes for it to finish baking. It's totally worth the wait though.

What surprised me about these is how dense they are. I thought they would be fluffier or maybe even crumbly, more like a cake. But they were more solid than that, which I think made me love them even more. And made me eat just one more than I really needed to. (Just one, I swear...)

Little Nash, who got to sit on the counter to help, loved making these because he got to pour in some ingredients, stir the batter, and sprinkle the toppings (not to mention licking the spatula a time or two). He called this "Chocolate Caramel Cookie Cake." Whatever you call them, they are SO good - you won't regret baking them! 

Turtle Cookie Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 25 minutes. Total time: 35 minutes

Yields: 8x8 or 9x9 pan; 16 small bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg + 1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup roasted & salted almonds (or pecans or peanuts) (I used these)
8-10 soft caramel candies, cut into fourths (I used these)
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 or 9x9 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

2. In a small pot, melt butter completely over low-medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir constantly over medium heat until completely dissolved. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until cooled to warm.

3. Meanwhile, chop almonds and cut caramels into fourths. Place both in a bowl with dark chocolate chips. Stir to combine. Set aside. 

4. Transfer butter and brown sugar mixture to a large bowl. Beat in egg and egg white and mix well. Mix in vanilla, baking powder and salt. Gradually mix in flour at a low speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat until batter is smooth and everything is fully incorporated.

5. Pour half of batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the almonds, caramels and chocolate chips evenly over the top. Spread remaining batter over the top and sprinkle with remaining almonds, caramels and chocolate chips.

6. Place in the oven for about 25 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting and serving. 

Enjoy!


Click here to print recipe!

*Note: Nutrition facts may vary due to brand of products.

Recipe adapted from

http://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/loaded-turtle-cookie-bars/