Turtle brownies are the ultimate dessert indulgence! They’ve got chunks of chocolate, crunchy pecans, and melted caramel – all in one sweet, salty, and delicious brownie!
Ooey-Gooey Turtle Brownies
If you love the classic turtle candies, then you have GOT to try these turtle brownies!
As a kid, I remember my parents loving those chocolate turtles, especially around the holidays when we visited with family. I didn’t really like nuts in my dessert as a kid, so I didn’t get what all the fuss was about.
Boy was I missing out!!
The first time I tried turtles, it was a light-bulb moment. WOW!!
These turtle brownies combine my favorite dessert (fudge brownies) with the flavor of a traditional old-fashioned turtle candy.
We mixed lots of goodies into the brownies: chopped pecans, chocolate chips, and caramel candies. But that’s not all!
There’s also a a caramel layer, sort of like a poke cake, where the gooey caramel sauce soaks deep into the brownies for an ultra decadent treat.
These turtle brownies are delicious poke turtle brownies with holes filled to the brim with caramel and pecan bits. These are so delicious and the perfect gooey center with a crispy exterior that you’ve come to love from a brownie. They are great for delivering to family during the holidays or just to enjoy yourself!
Why is it Called Turtle Candy?
Classic turtle candy consists of pecan halves, caramel, and chocolate. The pecans are coated in caramel and chocolate, creating a bumpy exterior that resembles a turtle shell.
However, that is where the resemblance ends! Turtle candies are delicious, chewy, and fudgy treats that are a favorite with kids and grown-ups alike!
Over the years, turtle candies have inspired countless sweet treats and new dessert classics, such as turtle cookies and ice cream. Apparently many of us find the combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel downright irresistible!
Turtle Brownie Ingredients
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- 1 box brownie mix — along with ingredients listed on back of the box
- Chocolate chips — Either milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet will work just fine
- Pecans — We used both chopped pecans and pecan halves for this recipe
- Caramel chips
- Caramel sauce
For the Chocolate Icing
- Milk
- Unsalted Butter
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips
Kitchen Tools Used
- 8 x8 inch square baking pan or glass baking dish — Can also use a 9″ pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls and whisk
- Saucepan
Can You Use Homemade Brownies?
Sure! We used a box mix for this particular recipe to save time, since we did make a homemade chocolate icing. However, you’re welcome to use one of your favorite brownie recipes, like our brownies from scratch. You can also use your own caramel sauce, though again, store-bought saves a bit of time. And as a mom, I can always use that extra time!
Instructions
Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. You can also line with parchment paper, as this makes it super easy to pull the finished brownies out of the pan.
Prepare the brownie batter according to the directions on the box. Stir chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel chips into the batter. Pour batter into prepared baking pan, then bake using the package directions.
When brownies are done baking, remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the brownies, about 1-2 inches apart.
Pour caramel sauce on top of the brownies, making sure that it gets into the holes you made.
To Make the Chocolate Ganache:
Add milk, butter, and sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring frequently, until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and chocolate chips and stir until everything is completely melted.
Remove the chocolate sauce from the stove top and pour this chocolate mixture on top the caramel-coated brownies.
While the ganache is still wet, press pecan halves into the surface. Sprinkle with bits of caramel, pecan crumbles, and chocolate chips, as desired.
Allow the frosting set completely, before cutting and serving. The caramel sauce will still be soft, so it will ooze out when you cut into the brownies.
Serving Tips
- Because the caramel is still liquid, you may want to keep the brownies in the pan until you’re ready to serve.
- Bowls are a great vessel for this dessert, as they contain all that ooey-gooey caramel. They also lend themselves well to making a brownie sundae!
- Speaking of sundaes, try serving these turtle brownies with your favorite ice cream and a drizzle of either chocolate sauce or more caramel sauce. You won’t be disappointed!
- If you’ve kept your brownies in the refrigerator, you may want to microwave before serving. Be sure to remove the individual brownie squares from the pan before doing so and use a microwave-safe bowl. It should only take about 10-20 seconds to start to melt the caramel sauce again, so start with a few seconds and increase as needed.
How to Store Your Homemade Turtle Brownies
If you plan to enjoy with a couple days, simple keep your turtle brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. The countertop is fine, as long as the brownie pan is not in sunlight or near a heat source, such as the stove.
If you’d like to keep your brownies a little longer, you can place the pan in the fridge. Be sure to keep the pan sealed — pans with a snap-on lid are very handy for this — to prevent your brownies form drying out or absorbing other flavors from the fridge environment.
More of our Most Popular Brownie Recipes
- Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- Zucchini Brownies
- Chocolate Avocado Brownies
- Football Brownies
- Cookie Dough Oreo Brownies
- Homemade Cosmic Brownies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
- Double Chocolate Crunch Brownies
- Brownie Bread
Whew! That is a lot of brownie recipes? Can you tell that they are one of my all-time favorite desserts?!
Turtle Brownies Recipe (printable copy)
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Ooey-Gooey Turtle Brownies
Equipment
- 9-inch square baking pan
- Mixing bowls and whisk
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 Box brownie mix PLUS ingredients called for on the box
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1/2 cup caramel bits
- 1/2 cup caramel
Ganache Ingredients
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Toppings
- Additional pecans and caramel bits for
Instructions
- Coat a square baking pan with non-stick spray and preheat oven (to temperature listed on back of brownie box).
- Mix the brownie batter according to package directions. Stir in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and caramel chips.
- Bake brownies according to box directions. Remove from oven and allow to cool enough to handle.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the brownies, 1-2 inches apart.
- Pour caramel sauce on top of brownies, ensuring you get sauce in each of the holes.
To Make the Ganache
- Add milk, butter, and sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, while stirring, until incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract and chocolate chips and stir until you have a smooth, melted chocolate sauce.
- Remove chocolate mixture from heat and pour on top of the brownies.
- While the icing is still wet, top with pecan halves or bits, caramel chips, or any desired toppings.
- Allow to set completely before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin Our Chocolate Caramel Brownies on Pinterest:
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John Ravi says
Hi Stacey,
I agree, turtle brownies are a great dessert. Unlike you, I love nuts, and I add a lot of them into my brownies. I think this will be the perfect addition to my Christmas menu. I am hosting holidays at my house this year, and I am collecting recipes to impress my niece and nephews. Thanks for sharing this article. Although I do know how to make one, I think I will mess up the proportion when chucking a big batch. Your article will be a great help. I really appreciate you sharing this.