The sweet flavors of caramel, chocolate and pecans come together in this easy recipe that starts with a cake mix. Caramel Turtle Bars are gonna be your new favorite dessert to bake!
Carmalita Tortuga Bars – Caramel Turtle Bars
Homemade cookies are a great, but when you can bake an entire tray of cookie bars, then life is even better! Who could resist the combination of chocolate and caramel? Not this gal, that’s for sure.
If you enjoy turtle candies or turtle bars, then these cookies are a must for you and your family!
These cookie bars start with a box of cake mix and then magically transformed with rolled oats, caramel, pecans, chocolate chunks and a touch of sea salt.
The original recipe called for thin, quick oats, but I loved adding the thicker oats that I used instead. It made for thicker bars and more “mouth feel”. The pecans also added some crunch to the soft caramel centers.
Serve up a big platter of these cookies for an after school treat or a weekend dessert.
And of course, these Caramel Turtle Bars are perfect for pot lucks, bake sales, game night, and any other group function. Make a batch and share it with the ones you love!
Wanna know what else you can make with a box of cake mix? Try these Homemade Oreos, Cake Mix Donuts, or this Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix.
I’ve got some great recipes that start with a cake mix too! Try these Gluten Free Cake Mix Cookie Bars.
This Apple Spice Bundt Cake starts with a spice cake mix and ends with a YUM!
And doctoring up a cake mix doesn’t mean you can’t just bake a cake with it. This White Chocolate Raspberry Cake is proof.
Caramel Turtle Bars
The sweet flavors of caramel, chocolate and pecans come together in this easy recipe that starts with a cake mix. Caramel Turtle Bars are gonna be your new favorite dessert to bake!
Ingredients
- 1/2 C melted butter
- 1 box yellow cake mix (16.5 oz box)
- 2 1/2 cup thick cut oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, cake mix, oats, brown sugar and eggs. Dough will be very thick, use those biceps. Add in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
Press half the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.
While that's baking, make the caramel sauce. In a microwave safe bowl, mix the caramel bits and milk together and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave. Stir until completely melted and combined.
Pour the caramel over the base layer. Carefully place bits of the remaining dough over the caramel, covering it completely.
Bake for another 15 minutes. Cool Completely. Keep in the fridge to keep the caramel firm and allow to come to room temperature if you want softer caramel center.
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