We’ve taken Turtle Chocolate Brownies to a new level by slathering them in caramel sauce, homemade or from a jar. There are also pecans in there, and the most fudgy, rich, and moist brownie you’ve ever tasted. As a Southern baker for more than four decades, I’ve made a lot of brownies, and these have earned a spot as a family favorite.
I proclaim every brownie my favorite, so here’s another one to add to that list. Everything in this brownie leads to goodness: chocolate chips, cocoa powder, creamy caramel sauce, pecans…it’s a simple mix of ingredients with a complex flavor-filled result. My family requests these brownies more than any other, except for my easy cocoa brownies.
Testing results for turtle brownies
- We tested our turtle chocolate brownies in a 9×13-inch pan, which gave us a standard thickness brownie that’s more chewy than gooey. If you’d like them a little thicker or gooier, we suggest going with a 9-inch square pan. You’ll need to adjust the baking time and possibly the temperature so they cook a little longer.
- We made these brownies in one bowl using a hand mixer.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
How to make turtle brownies
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
You can see the step-by-step process below in the recipe card.
- Mix up the brownie batter: combine melted butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in the dry ingredients and gently fold together.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
- Bake and then allow to cool completely before drizzling caramel sauce over the brownies.
Brownie lovers
Is anyone NOT a brownie lover? If you’re not a chocolate lover, you could try our Easy Lemon Brownies, full of tangy, citrusy lemon flavor with nary a chocolate chip in sight. Or these Salted Caramel Blondies, which will make you want to slap yo’ mama, they’re so good.
On the chocolate side, our Easy Slutty Brownies are a go-to when you want something decadent that you can make in a jiffy. The recipe calls for a boxed brownie mix and Oreo cookies, and it’s amazing.
You’ll also never go wrong with these marshmallow-filled Rocky Road Brownies, which are just like the ice cream. And if you love Snickers bars, our Snickers Brownies are full of chunks of real Snickers. For my espresso martini fans, we’ve created Espresso Brownies with Salted Caramel that feature all the best parts of the martini, minus the booze. So, so good.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
Join Southern Food and Fun Community group
and Southern Potluck group!
And please follow us on social media:
Turtle Brownies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra to decorate
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped, plus extra to decorate
- ½ cup store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce, to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9”x13-inch baking pan with non stick parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed for about a minute, or until the mixture is fully combined. It will appear grainy at this point, which is completely normal.1 cup unsalted butter, melted, 2 cups white granulated sugar
- Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract, then beat on high for two minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, thick, and pale in color.3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold everything together, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated and scraping the bottom of the bowl to catch any unmixed bits.1 cup cocoa powder, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Add the chocolate chips and chopped pecans to the brownie batter, then gently fold them in. Be careful not to over mix at this point.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra to decorate, 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped, plus extra to decorate
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread it into an even layer.
- Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick—if it comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, the brownies are ready. If there’s still wet batter, bake for a few more minutes and test again.
- Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cool, scatter over the extra chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and drizzle over the salted caramel sauce before cutting into squares. You can also sprinkle a little sea salt over the brownies.1/2 cup store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce, to decorate
Notes
- The great thing about this recipe is that it’s all made in one bowl! When it comes to mixing, you can do this by hand, with an electric hand mixer, or using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
- For easier removal after baking, we recommend leaving a bit of parchment paper hanging over the edges of your pan when lining it.
- When incorporating the dry ingredients, make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl thoroughly, as flour and cocoa powder can often settle there.
- Be careful not to overmix the brownie batter, as doing so can result in dry brownies.
- These brownies are more chewy than gooey, primarily due to the pan size and the thickness of the brownies. For gooier brownies, try using a 9-inch square pan. In our test oven, they bake perfectly in 27 minutes, but we suggest checking for doneness at 25 minutes since oven temperatures can vary. If you prefer gooier brownies, reduce the baking time slightly, or extend it for crispier edges.
Nutrition
Questions and tips
Storage
These Turtle Brownies should be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature, where they will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
You can freeze almost any brownie, and these turtle brownies are no exception. Don’t drizzle the caramel sauce over the top if you’re planning to freeze the brownies. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer until frozen. Then wrap each brownie individually with parchment or wax paper, and place in a freezer-safe container.
You can make these turtle brownies ahead of time. We suggest waiting to drizzle the caramel sauce until just before serving.
