The Best Turtle Brownies — Super fudgy brownies and loaded with chocolate, pecans and caramel! An easy, no-mixer recipe that can be made with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce!
Easy Turtle Brownies Recipe
Turtles. The chocolate-covered caramel and pecan clusters that I can eat 5 of in 5 minutes. I love those things. But turtle-inspired brownies are even better.
These are some of the best brownies I’ve ever had, tied only with these and another version that’s in my first cookbook. The caramel pecan brownies are fudgy, not at all cakey, ridiculously rich, boldly chocolaty, and loaded with texture.
There’s a salted caramel and pecan filling that’s sandwiched inside dense brownies, and there’s chocolate chips and more pecans sprinkled on top. They’re worth every last minute of cardio.
It’s an easy, no-mixer recipe and all my brownie recipes are very fudgy, dense, and what varies is the pan size, ratio and amount of sugars, eggs, and whether I use melted chocolate, cocoa, or a combination.
These turtle brownies are made with melted dark chocolate and baked in an 8-inch square pan. You don’t need a big pan of these babies laying around unless you have a football team to feed.
Although I’ve previously shunned nuts in desserts, I’ve changed my tune. I blame these Salted Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, another chocolaty, caramely, nutty delight.
These turtle brownies were show-stoppers and without a doubt, one of the best things I’ve made this year.
I’ll never be satisfied with just a plain old turtle again.
What’s in Turtle Brownies?
To make these pecan brownies with caramel sauce, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Bittersweet chocolate
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Brewed coffee
- Instant espresso granules
- All-purpose flour
- Salted caramel sauce
- Pecans
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Turtle Brownies
You’ll first need to whisk together the brownie batter, then pour about half into a foil-lined 8×8-inch baking dish. Bake for about 15 minutes, then remove from oven and top with a layer of caramel sauce and pecans.
Pour the remaining brownie batter over the caramel layer, then sprinkle with additional pecans and chocolate chips. Return the turtle brownies to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes or so.
Once out of the oven, these pecan brownies with caramel sauce need to cool in the pan for about 3 hours. Then, they need to chill in the fridge for an additional 2 hours. After that, you can finally slice into these babies!
Can I Double This Recipe?
Yes, you can double this turtle brownies recipe and bake them in a 9×13-inch pan instead. Your bake time may need to be adjusted slightly, so use your best judgement.
How to Store Turtle Brownies
Turtle brownies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I prefer these brownies slightly chilled and store them in the fridge.
Tips for Making Turtle Brownies
I used roasted, salted, whole pecan halves from Trader Joe’s. If your nuts are raw, toast them for 5 to 10 minutes in a 400F oven to take the raw edge off and enhance the flavor.
You can either make your own Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce, use Trader Joe’s Salted Caramel Sauce, or use another thick, rich sauce. Don’t use ice cream sundae sauce because it’s too thin. You want something really thick so it doesn’t leak and run everywhere.
The hardest part is waiting for the brownies to cool completely before slicing. There’s too much fudginess, drippy caramel, and melted chocolate to slice into until they’ve cooled completely. Slicing too early will result in a hot, gooey mess. I prefer brownies this rich to be served slightly chilled.
Pin This Recipe
The Best Turtle Brownies
Super fudgy brownies and loaded with chocolate, pecans and caramel! An easy, no-mixer recipe that can be made with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce!Â
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Trader Joe’s 72% Pound Plus Bar)
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon brewed coffee (leftover or cold coffee is okay), optional but recommended
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules, optional but recommended
- pinch salt, optional and to taste
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Filling
- 8 ounces (salted) caramel sauce (use homemade, Trader Joe’s, or another favorite; plain is okay but I prefer salted caramel. Don’t use ice cream sundae sauce, it’s too thin)
- 1 heaping cup pecans (I use roasted, salted pecan halves; toast raw nuts for 5 to 10 minutes in a 400F oven to enhance flavor)
Topping
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with high-quality aluminum foil such as Reynold’s Non-Stick (highly recommended so caramel doesn’t stick to pan) leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate, and heat on high power to melt, about 2 minutes. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate has melted and mixture can be stirred smooth. Allow mixture to cool momentarily before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble.
- Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules (neither make brownies taste like coffee and both enhance and round out the chocolate flavor), optional salt, and whisk vigorously to combine.
- Add the flour and stir until smooth and combined.
- Turn half the batter out into prepared pan (I draw an imaginary line down the center of the batter with my spatula while it’s in the mixing bowl andeyeballing it, I pour half into pan); reserve remainder.
- Bake for 15 to 16 minutes, or until top has just set in the center; don’t overbake because pan is going back into oven. While brownies bake, prepare the filling.
- In a medium bowl, add caramel (microwave it for 10 seconds if your is very thick or hard to get out of the jar), pecans, and stir to combine; set aside.
- After brownies have baked for about 15 minutes, remove pan from oven and using a spatula carefully and evenly spread the filling mixture over the brownies, taking care to not let the filling plop down in one spot because it will be difficult to spread without disturbing the brownie layer.
- Evenly top with reserved brownie batter, smoothing it lightly with a spatula. It’s normal for it to have thickened up some.
- Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Evenly sprinkle the pecans.
- Bake for about 24 to 25 minutes, or until center has just set and is no longer glossy. It’s a bit hard to tell when done because center is buried under chocolate chips and pecans, but if you look closely you’ll be able to determine if you’re looking at raw brownie batter or just melted chocolate chips. The toothpick test is unreliable because you’re going to hit melted chocolate chips and then gooey caramel sauce so it’s better to just eyeball it.
- Allow brownies to cool in pan on top of a wire rack for at least 3 hours.
- Cover with a sheet of foil to prevent fridge smells, and place pan in fridge for another 2 hours, or until sufficiently chilled for slicing.
- Lift brownies out using foil overhang, slice, and serve.
Make the brownies:
Make the Filling:
For the Topping:
Notes
- Brownies will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I prefer these brownies slightly chilled and store them in the fridge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 559Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 551mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 8gSugar: 29gProtein: 9g
More Fudgy Brownie Recipes:
Loaded Oreo Cream Cheese Brownies — If you’re looking for an over-the-top decadent brownie recipe, look no further. Ultra fudgy, rich brownies are topped with a layer of cream cheese spiked with white chocolate chips, before sprinkling Oreos and semi-sweet chocolate chips on top!
Homemade Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies — These homemade Cosmic Brownies are dark, dense, and rich. The edges are just a bit chewy, with a moist and ultra-fudgy interior.
The Best Fudgy Sea Salt Brownies – Only 7 ingredients in these EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer brownies that are MY NEW FAVORITE BROWNIES!!
Copycat Starbucks Double Chocolate Brownies — The brownies are rich, fudgy, not cakey, perfectly chewy, and so easy to make. One bowl, no mixer, and studded with chocolate chunks!
The Best German Chocolate Brownies — Dense, rich, fudgy brownies topped with a coconut and pecan frosting that’s sweet and full of texture from shredded coconut and pecans.
Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies — The brownies are ultra fudgy, not at all cakey, ridiculously rich, boldly chocolaty, and there’s a full-size peanut butter cup for each brownie.
Peanut Butter Brookies— These brookies are soft and chewy, with peanut butter and chocolate married together in every bite. All you need is two bowls, and no mixer is required!
Make these every year for the holidays – Just finished a double batch today. Cut them bite size and use for my cookie trays – So rich and fudgy! They also freeze really well. Used vanilla as well as bourbon for the caramel sauce this time and it turned out amazing. Thanks for this recipe!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad these are on your holiday baking list every year! Glad to hear they are a hit for you!
Can this recipe be doubled and baked in a 13 x 9 pan?
Thank you.
yes
Wow These brownies were so yummy and pretty easy to make. I took your recommendation and made your salted caramel sauce, so glad I did too!! It totally made for perfect turtle brownies! Thank you, this is definitely a keeper :) and so is the Carmel sauce!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad you even made the homemade caramel sauce and loved the brownies!
These turtle brownies recipe looks so amazing and yummy at the same time. Found your post so easy to follow along when preparing them yesterday. So mesmerized by this. Thanks, Averie for sharing!
Thanks for the five star review and I’m glad these brownies are a hit for you!
Hello! I very much enjoy your recipes and commentary, and am dying to make these for the folks at work. Can I double this recipe and bake it in a 13×9 pan, and bake the brownies for the same amount of time? I am interested in this conversion for all your brownies intended to be baked in an 8×8. Is this an ok practice for them in general? Thank you
Overall I would say yes but baking isn’t always an exact science and you have to use your judgment and so it’s impossible to give absolute ‘rules’.
This recipe is great, thank you! I love the nuts and caramel sandwiched between the brownie layers – deliciously oozy when warm!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Uh yea, sign me up. These look incredible! I have featured this scrumptious recipe in the Absolute Best Brownie Recipe Roundup over at dreamingofleaving.com… keep those yummy ideas coming :) xo
Thanks for the feature!
Hi Averie!
These look amazing! I’m hoping to make them for a bake sale. If I wanted to use a 9 x 13 pan, how should I modify the recipe?
Thanks :)
Please read over the Baking and Recipe FAQs https://www.averiecooks.com/faq for answers to the most common questions.
I love Trader Joe’s dark chocolate bars! They would go great in baking (if they ever lasted that long in my house!)
These look absolutely delicious! I’m going to make them tonight and was wondering if regular caramel sauce was ok instead of salted caramel. And maybe adding some sea salt on the top?
Fatima
That sounds like a great plan to me!
As I scrolled down your page of pics, I felt as though I could just reach into the screen and grab the decadent treats…great pics
Thank you! :)
Can I move in with you, and eat all of the delicious food that you make?! I swear, your food always has me drooling! These turtle brownies look downright sinful! :) Pinned!
I wish I had you and your kiddos to help me eat all my goodies! I would love some company :)
Turtles are the best and these look even better!
YUM!!! These brownies look over-the-top delicious.
Oh my goodness! This could be the most delicious brownie I have ever seen! I’m going to have to make these :)
These brownies are a work of art — they’re gorgeous and they look beyond delicious!
Seriously, there are no words. Those brownies are PERFECTION.
You’re way too kind :) xo
omg these look amazing!!! I have a party coming up and I’m thinking these need to be on that table!!! :) Awesome recipe!
*squee* Look at that fudgy texture!! I’m not a huge nut fan either but turtles are in a league of their own; pecans are allowed!
I know I used to be anti nuts but lately have been loving them in chocolate, rich desserts. May as well just make it richer and add a pound of nuts, right :)
Ok you just took turtles to another level! These look absolutely loaded to the brim with turtle goodies! I don’t normally like nuts in brownies, but I think the fact that they are on top as well with chocolate chips and caramel would give the brownie a great texture that I’d be totally into :)
I used to be anti nuts but lately have been loving them in chocolaty, rich desserts. May as well just make it richer and add a pound of nuts! :)
Wow! This look like the most EPIC brownies ever!!! I would love to gobble one of these up right now.
Oh my goodness these turtle brownies have me drooling! I’m making these for my very own birthday treat next month with a tall glass of milk :-)
Happy early Bday & enjoy!
Gorgeous, these look like brownie heaven. Pinned!
Made these last night for a world cup party, and they are indescribably delicious. I normally dislike fudge-y brownies compared to more dry, chewy ones, but these changed my mind. I used only 1/2 c of sugar (my family likes things less sweet), and the brownies turned out perfect. I really like the pecan and dark chocolate additions because they make the brownies buttery and rich tasting. I have to say mine turned out a little less pretty than yours (pshh who needs 5 hours of cooling time when they can have instant brownie gratification), but nobody minded after taking a bite.
So glad these changed your mind about fudgy brownies!
they make the brownies buttery and rich tasting. = agreed!
instant brownie gratification = love that :) And if you’re not taking pictures of them for a food blog, who cares if they don’t look totally pristine. It matters how they taste! Thanks for trying them on the same weekend I posted them!
I would be having portion control issues with a pan of these! I would eat them all!
Get in my belly now! Anything turtle rocks, then put it in brownie form and OMG!
Love how intense the fudge factor is in these brownies! They look amazing! Pinned. :)
Thanks for pinning!
Turtle brownies are the best, and yours look amazing, Averie! Your pictures definitely capture the chocolatey-caramely goodness!
Thanks for the compliments, Gayle!
You are my dessert idle! Absolutely worth a longer run! But, I have to disagree with one point, no way could I wait for them to cool. I know me and I’d have a fork in them as soon as they wouldn’t burn a layer of skin off of my mouth!… Pardon me while I drool a few minutes longer!
(Pinned)
Thanks for pinning and the dessert idol compliment :) Totally worth long runs. Even no runs, these were so worth it!
These brownies look so super chewy and moist and those pecans and chocolate chips on top are making them extra special!! Averie you surprise me everytime with your amazing recipes!!
Thanks for the nice compliments, Ami!
Omg Averie, these definitely DO look like the best. Like you, I can down (way too many) Turtles in no time…these look sooooo much better!
How about some love for those of us who do like cakey brownies? Not really fond of the fiudgy kind. I know it’s heresy but there can be something too chocolatey for some people.
Pretty irresistible! I need a couple of these right now!
Wow Averie, that’s some serious fudge factor going on there! Exactly the way I love my brownies. When you can confused brownies with fudge, that’s the perfect texture for me. Cakey brownies just aren’t worth eating — they should be called cake and topped with frosting! ;) It looks like you’ve definitely changed your mind about nuts in desserts after your recent pecan pie bars — these look phenomenal too!
When you can confused brownies with fudge, that’s the perfect texture for me. Cakey brownies just aren’t worth eating — they should be called cake and topped with frosting! = THAT’S the BEST thing I’ve read all day! So, so true – both the fudge confusion part and the cake topped with frosting part!
Mercy, all that chocolate! And after avoiding nuts like the plague, I now love the richness and texture they bring to desserts. That filling looks to die for!
Absolutely beautiful brownies, Averie! Drooling!
This looks incredible. I’m always making turtle flavored treats for my mom, and this will definitely be on my list for next time!
Oh wow… all the gooey-ness and crunchiness… it’s amazing :)
WOW! GORGE!!! And that texture is beyond perfect!!
These brownies look beyond delicious…they look awesome to a chocolate lover like me! I love this recipe and will be trying it soon. I even pinned it twice…thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the double pinning :)
These looks dangerous… and extremely delicious. Your pictures are gorgeous!
Thanks for the compliments, Jenna!
These are seriously stunning, Averie. Love how you don’t mess around! Pinning to try soon!
May as well not mess around when it comes to desserts :)
Thanks for pinning!
Yum!
I am addicted to pecans… and I’ve seen so many amazing recipes including them recently! But chocolate + caramel + pecans? The best yet! Yum :)
I might have to say that these are the best brownies ever! The caramel, the pecans – oh, my, goodness! Pinning it! :)
Thanks for pinning and yes I honestly do have to say that not only are they the best turtle brownies, but they’re in my top 2 of fave brownies, EVER. I mean seriously I loved loved loved these things and did not donate a singular one :)
Oh my gosh you filled them with caramel and pecans too. I’m bowing down to you, turtle brownie queen!!! Pinned!
Oh gosh I just remembered that I think you have a turtle brownie recipe…I know you have turtle stuff for sure! Probably truffles (knowing you) and fudge and I think brownies, too! Thanks for pinning! :)
I love nuts in brownies..these looks so dark and nutty can’t wait to try. I like that they make a small batch because I usually eat one or two of something and then I’m ready to move on to something else so a smaller batch always works better in our house.
They work better in this house too for the exact reasons you said, coupled with at least 5 new things every.single.week, the less I have to donate, the less money and ingredients I need to spend and use :)
These look fully loaded with texture and flavor! I love the filling and chocolate chips….and I’d have to share with my neighbors because these look impossible to resist. I also like chilled brownies–I think the texture is even fudgier.
Paula you’ve read every post of mine and made about half of them, and these were crazy, amazing, over the top good! Best ever status, for sure. If you need a dessert for an event (because yes, you do have to either donate these or make for a party :)) but definitely put these on your rainy day, someday, list!
Those brownies are looking fantastic! I can’t wait to make some to discover what they taste like as well :)