Magic Turtle Bars-Chocolate, Caramel and Pecans, come together in this fabulous Magic Bar
I wouldn’t trade a moment of it. The house still needs to be put back in shape, the decorations now need to be taken down and stored. I am making everyone eat leftovers, so at least I’m getting out of preparing “new” meals. Besides, our turkey was to die for and we also had a ham so there’s plenty! I’d like to tell you we still have plenty of sweets around but, the supply is quickly dwindling.
In addition to making my family eat leftovers the past 3 nights, I also hid these bars from them. Well, not exactly hid, but I did put them in a solid (not see through) container, in the back, behind all the other treats. Technically, I might have buried them, just so I could keep them for myself. You can’t blame me. Chocolate, caramel and pecans, the greatest combination ever! No one suffered. I made sure they had the Magic Christmas Bars, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Grandma’s Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookie Cups, and tons of Bark.
Sometimes you just have to keep something out for yourself. Just the really good stuff.
You can make these with just one bag of the caramel bits, but, really, why would you want to?
Magic Turtle Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed vanilla cookies (I used imitation Vanilla wafers)
- 1/2 cup butter melted (1 stick)
- 2 bags semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1-2 bags Kraft Caramel Bits
- 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cans sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly spray or grease a 9 x 13 pan.
- Combine crushed cookies and butter till combined and cookie crumbs are moist. Spread evenly in bottom of pan, pressing down to form a crust.
- Now start layering the rest of the ingredients. 1 bag chocolate chips, caramel bits, pecans (save out about 1/4 cup for the top), second bag of chocolate chips, remaining pecans.
- Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the entire pan, make sure to cover all the nooks and crannies.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, just until milk begins to turn golden. Let cool completely before cutting.
- Store in airtight container. If you choose to refrigerate these bars, bring them back to room temperature before eating.
Notes
recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com
The Better Baker says
This is a to.die.for Killer recipe! I would soooooo love it.
{Steph} says
Oooo, these look so delish!!
Anonymous says
I have these in the oven now for my Dads birthday present. I may have to have a taste! dabsmom02@yahoo com
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
oh my goodness, I love magic bars and I love turtles, these look A-MAZING. I saw your post on crazy for crusts round up, and I can’t wait to try these!
pattie kuipers says
Can not wait to try these! One quick question….what size can of milk do I need?
Thanks,
Pattie~
Joan Hayes says
Hi Pattie, the sweetened condensed milk is 14 ounces.
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
Mmm I love magic bars – but with caramel to make them like turtles? yum!!
Jan Martin says
Oh, these Magic Turtle Bars look SO yummy. I found your recipe on Pinterest, and I have a question. I have used sweetened condensed milk before and find that it is really hard to drizzle or pour evenly. Can it be heated in the microwave so that it is thinner and easier to drizzle? I have wondered but have been afraid to try that. What do you think? Thanks and I’m so glad I found you!
~ Jan
Joan Hayes says
I’d be careful heating it, I know you can cook sweetened condensed milk and turn it into dulce de leche. I use a bottle opener and poke a hole in the top of the can to drizzle, it does take a few minutes. If the kids are around I let them do it, while I get a head start on clean up.
Jeanna says
I run my can of milk under HOT water for a few minutes or put it in a bowl of hot water and then poke it with a hole. It drizzles out perfectly and works like a charm 🙂
I have these in the oven now. I bought caramels instead of the bits. I chopped them up and hope that it works fine.
Dixie Storm says
I was wondering which size bag of chocolate chips you use and are the Kraft Caramel bits located where the chocolate chips are as I have never used these. Also, thanks for the great tip on how to drizzle the condensed milk as it is rather thick.
Joan Hayes says
Hi Dixie, I use the 11 ounce bag of chips, it might be 12 ounces, but you can never have too much chocolate can you? You should find the caramel bits near the chocolate chips in your baking isle.
Dixie Storm says
Thanks for replying. I shall be trying these.
Dixie Storm says
Thanks for replying. I shall be trying these great sounding bars.
Randa Johnson says
Can these be made with crushed pretzels instead of vanilla wafers, for a sweet and salty combination?
Joan Hayes says
Oh yes Randa, pretzels sound wonderful!
Kim Koonce says
The pretzels sound even better.
Debbie says
We don;t have the kraft caramel bits in Canada, could I cut up some carmels??? the bars look awesome!
Joan Hayes says
Absolutely, The bits are convenient, no unwrapping involved but are still the same product!
Rachel @the dessert chronicles says
mmmm, I have been craving magic bars and this looks like an awesome recipe! May have to go make some right now 🙂
Darlene says
I just made these but after cooking for the given amount of time and then cooling them I don’t think they cooked through. I’m going to try cooking for another 10 minutes but think I’ve ruined them. Ugh !!!
Joan Hayes says
Darlene, I’m so sorry, When you take them out of the oven, the sweetened condensed milk will still be gooey in the center but should firm up once cooled.
Mary says
I wonder if these would work with the boiled sweetened condensed milk caramel. It would be a LOT easier than unwrapping! They sound wonderful!
sharon whyte says
how many ouences of carmel bits do u use? if i can’t find need 2 know how much carmels in weight 2 use. thanks.
Joan Hayes says
Each bag of caramel bits weighs 11 ounces so depending on how caramelly you want your bars, adjust accordingly. There is no too much or too little with this recipe, just what tastes good to you in the end!
lorre says
what are carmel bites and where would I find them
Joan Hayes says
Caramel bits are made by Kraft and you can usually find them near the chocolate chips in the baking section of your grocery store. They are just small unwrapped bits of caramel. If you can’t find them, you can use regular caramels and use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller pieces.
https://www.kraftbrands.com/caramels/products/default.aspx
Deedra says
Could I substitute a different nut for the pecans? Nuts like pecans and walnuts leave an oily taste/film in my mouth that I can’t stand, so I don’t eat them (and it doesn’t matter if they are toasted or not).
Joan Hayes says
Of course you can! Recipes are just a guide for individual tastes, use what you like and enjoy!
Lisa says
I saw these the other day!! I love all your great recipes!! Thanks for sharing!! Making these right now. I will let you know how they turn out
Vannessa says
Can you use peanuts instead of pecans in this recipe? We’re not big on pecans around here.
Diane says
Just made these (also made Cream Cheese Squares) and cannot wait to try them! I also added a half of a 12-oz bag of white chocolate chips…. increased the pecans a bit since we love pecans…. am already salivating! Can’t wait to share them with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!! Will come back and let you know how they turned out 🙂