I used to hate turtles.
No, not the animals with the pretty shells and weird way of peeing on you whether they’re scared or not. Although being peed on by a turtle is really not a good time. Just trust me.
I’m talking the turtles that are made with pecans, caramel, and covered in chocolate.
YES. PLEASE.
Funny thing is that turtles were my dad’s favorite candy treat growing up, something that totally grossed me out. For whatever reason I didn’t like pecans OR caramel (I know, I know), and therefore thought that it was so gross when he’d eat them. Now that I think of it that might have been why he “liked” them so much – he knew his children wouldn’t swoop in for the kill if he kept those around the house.
Gushers on the other hand are a completely different story. To this day if you bring me tropical Gushers then you and I are best friends. Besties. BFF. FOREVER.
So back to these brownies. When I saw the bag of caramel bits in the store the other day I just about keeled over with excitement. No, I had no plan in what to use them in. I just knew I had to have them. So buy them I did, and I skipped off imagining all of the things I could make with them.
The inspiration for these brownies came when I opened our fridge only to see the plethora of hand-picked pecans from my parents. I’m trying my best to spread out the pecan recipes, but I’d be lying if I said we weren’t snacking our way through those 25-lb bags. That’s right. 50 lbs of pecans. My parents love me.
4-LAYER TURTLE BROWNIES
- 3 sticks butter, melted
- 3 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups caramel bits
- 2 cups pecans, slightly toasted and chopped
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan. In a bowl combine the butter, sugar, eggs, water and vanilla. Mix until well incorporated. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined. Spread about 2/3 of the mixture into the baking pan (I used my hands dipped in water to push it all to the sides). Sprinkle 1 cup each of the caramel bits, pecans, and chocolate chips in the center, being sure to stay away from the edges. With wet hands, smash the rest of the brownie batter on top, being sure to push down the edges. This is so that the caramel doesn’t seep through and make a huge mess for you to clean up later. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. After the brownies have cooled, melted the caramel bits in a sauce pan with a touch of water. Melt the chocolate chips as well. Drizzle both over the top of the brownies, then sprinkle with the remaining pecans.
Eat!
I love how adding chocolate, caramel, and nuts makes brownies better. I love how making things in layers makes it taste better. I just love butter. It’s always better 😉
This desert is unfair on SO many levels!! 😉 I want it, but I can’t have it……… ugg… but it looks amazing!!!!!!!!!
Your recipes always look so good. They are dangerous!!
Um, wow. This looks insanely delicious.
Happy Friday! I know how I want to celebrate the weekend now… mmmmm.
These look so good! I love turtles and brownies so it’s a win-win!
oh wow! Great recipe
Heavenly, just heavenly!
i. love. gushers. !!!
Yum!! ‘Nuf said.
Let’s just declare you the brownie goddess and get it over with already. Because your brownie recipes are obviously a force (for my yoga pants) to be reckoned with 🙂
Love the brownies! Yum 😀
Please tell me you’ve seen this “Fruit Gushers Review” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TXd0GhSGUs&feature=player_embedded
You hit the nail on the head. As parents, our favorite treats are the ones we can keep away from the kids. LOL
And do they even still make Gushers? I remember those things. Loved them!
butter IS better! you should have a t-shirt that says that….in a lovely shade of pale yellow 🙂 haha
I had never seen those caramel bits before. Looks delicious!
This reminds me of something my mom used to make! It was always my job to unwrap the caramels! It’s a good thing they have caramel bits now that I don’t live at home anymore!
I’ve never seen those caramel balls!!! I must hunt them down!!
oh man. these look so good!
I’ve had a turtle pee on me too…haha.
Too funny because I hated those turtle candies when I was a kid too. Now I love them…I just like to think that our taste buds have matured. 😉
I’m moving in with you and Nate! These look dreamy!
OH HOLY COW! I have to make these! & You know why??? B/c I have ALL the stuff to make these! How SUPER awesome is that?!! THANKS for making my Friday!
Caramel and chocolate definitely make brownies better!
I meant to say “I would EAT all of these :)”
Wow, I would all of these! Yum 🙂
Those little caramel ball things are the most genius invention ever. They have made my life so much easier when it comes to caramel desserts. Love these brownies!