Turtle Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• FOR THE SHORTBREAD LAYER:
• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 cup Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
• ½ cups Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
• _____
• FOR THE PECAN LAYER:
• 1 cup Pecan Halves
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• ⅔ cups Unsalted Butter, Cut Into Pieces
• ½ cups Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
• _____
• FOR THE CHOCOLATE LAYER:
• 1-½ cup Milk Chocolate Chips
• ¼ cups Pecans, Finely Chopped

Preparation Instructions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the flour, brown sugar, and butter. Mix on medium speed until well combined. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan.

For the pecan layer, in a small bowl, mix the pecan halves and salt together. Layer the pecan halves over the crust. In a medium pan, cook the butter and brown sugar over medium high heat, until boiling. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Pour the mixture evenly over the pecan halves.

Place the pan in a 350F oven, and cook for 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the pecans. Allow the chips to soften for a few minutes, then gently swirl the chocolate over the pecans. Sprinkle with finely chopped pecans, and let cool for two hours. Cut into bars, serve, and enjoy!