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Turtle Cookie Bars

These sweet made-from-scratch Turtle Cookie Bars are stuffed with Rolo candy and toasted chopped pecans. The chocolate and caramel candies melt while baking encasing the pecans in buttery cookie dough and ooey gooey goodness. After cooling to warm they’re a delightful way to treat yourself after a busy day.

Turtle Cookie Bars

Easy Turtle Bars Recipe

These cookie bars are made from scratch with a gooey turtle filling made from stuffing the inside with Rolos. They’re delicious served slightly w3arm while the caramel is still gooey. How to make Turtle Cookie Bars: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Toast pecans – Arrange pecan pieces plus 16 whole pecans on a baking sheet and place into the oven. Toast the nuts for 6-8 minutes then set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the batter.
  • Rolos – Set aside 16 whole Rolos and slice the remaining in half.
  • Creamed Ingredients – Using an electric mixer cream together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream and vanilla. Whip together for 2-3 minutes.
  • Eggs – Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
  • Dry Ingredients – Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Combine – Lower the speed of the mixer. Add dry ingredients slowly beating well after each addition. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl periodically. After all of the dry ingredients have been added, increase the speed of the mixer, and beat for another 1-2 minutes. The batter will be thick.
  • Assemble – Spread one half of dough on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Arrange chopped Rolos on top. 
  • Dollop the remaining batter over the Rolos. Spread evenly.
  • Oven – Bake for 25 minutes then arrange the remaining whole Rolos evenly spaced on top. Return to oven for 2 minutes to allow the candy to soften and melt.
  • Remove from oven and gently press each with whole pecan. 
  • Cool in the pan then cut and serve.
Turtle Cookie Bars

How to Make the BEST Turtle Cookie Bars

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Turtle Cookie Bars: Pecan pieces plus 16 whole pecans, Rolos, butter, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream or half and half, vanilla, eggs, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: 13×9 inch pan, sharp knife and cutting board hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, sheet pan and cooling rack.
  • Make a plan to unwrap the Rolos before you begin. This will help expedite the assembly of the cookie bars.
  • Toasting the pecans adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get if you skip that step.
  • Store these cookie bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Turtle Cookie Bars

More Cookie Bars Recipes to Make

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Turtle Cookie Bars

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: turtle-cookie-bars
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 346kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces plus 16 whole pecans, toasted
  • 1 11 oz bag Rolos unwrapped
  • 1 cup softened butter plus 2 Tbsp
  • 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp heavy cream or half and half
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Place 1 1/2 cups of pecan pieces plus 16 whole pecans on a sheet pan and place into the oven. Toast the nuts for 6-8 minutes then set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the batter.
  • Set aside 16 whole Rolos, and slice remaining in half.
  • In a large bowl using an electric mixer cream together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream and vanilla. Whip together for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
  • In a separate mixing bowl use a whisk to sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Lower the speed of the mixer. Add dry ingredients slowly beating well after each addition. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl periodically.
  • After all of the dry ingredients have been added, increase the speed of the mixer, and beat for another 1 minute. The batter will be thick.
  • Spread one half of dough on the bottom of the baking pan. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Arrange chopped Rolos on top. 
  • Dollop the remaining batter over the top. Spread evenly.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Place the remaining 16 Rolos evenly spaced on top. Return to oven for 2 minutes to allow the candy to soften and melt.
  • After softenned, remove from oven, and gently press each with whole pecan. 
  • Cool before cutting. Store leftovers  tightly covered at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 554IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
 

6 Comments

  1. YUM! My parents have pecan trees in SC and I always have a freezer full. Now I have something other than German Chocolate Cake and Pecan Pie to use them in!

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