Turtle Bark

I love a good Turtle. Chocolate, soft caramel, pecans. Just the perfect combination. I've made them a few times but it takes time, especially when you're making homemade caramels as the base. The results are worth every minute of time spent but sometimes, you just don't have a ton of time to make candy.

I had bought these Caramel Bits at the store before Halloween, thinking I'd make caramel apples. Well I never got around to it.

Then I made my Fried Pecans. Pecans, Caramel, caramel, pecans...the only thing missing is chocolate and then I've got turtles.


I'll tell you a little secret, I can make caramel from scratch but melting caramel in the microwave...lets just say, it can take days to soak burnt caramel out of that glass bowl. I have to do it over the stove, in a double boiler. Slow and controlled. The same with melting chocolate.

As I'm getting everything out I have one of those light bulb moments. I don't need to melt the caramel, these caramel bits are so soft, why not just make some bark? In less than 10 minutes, I was setting my bark in the refrigerator to set. An hour after that, I was eating it. Every bite was a perfect combination of pecan, caramel and chocolate.

So easy. Guess what I'm giving this holiday season?

Turtle Bark

1 package chocolate almond bark or candy melts
1 tablespoon shortening (if needed)
1 package Caramel bits
1 1/2 cups Fried pecans (or plain pecans will work too)

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, according to package directions add shortening if chocolate seems thick. Add in caramel bits and pecans, stir just to coat. Pour out onto cookie sheet, spread to desired thickness. Let chocolate set at room temperature or to speed it up, place in refrigerator until set. Cut to desired size bars. Store in airtight container.

I did drizzle a little melted white chocolate just to make it look pretty.

I'm sharing at some of these great parties.