I’ve been a huge fan of Alice Medrich for many years. The source of my devotion is (sadly) a book that is no longer in print, Alice Medrich’s Cookies and Brownies. It looks like the book was even republished at some point, but that edition is out of print as well. If you can find a copy, buy it. Mine is treasured, although quite dog-eared. The other day I needed to satisfy a sweet tooth, but I had just one egg in the fridge. This turtle bar recipe came to the rescue — no eggs required. And despite how amazing they look, they’re super easy to make.
The shortbread layer is just butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour, mixed up in a saucepan after you melt the butter. Then you press it out into the pan. Add toasted pecans and bake part-way. You also make the topping (butter and brown sugar) in a saucepan. Pour that over the pecans and bake again. So simple. The final step is the fun one — you chop up a bunch of chocolate (or start with chocolate chips) and spread them over the top. Then just sit back and wait while they melt in. You don’t even need to put the pan back into the oven. Come back later and they’re perfect. I couldn’t wait to cut into them (and take the top photo), but can you blame me? The only hard part was not eating them all myself.
P.S. Alice wrote me this note on Facebook about the recipes in this great book: “Yes, my little cookie book is out of print but the good news: the recipes in it will be reincarnated along with dozens of new and very cool recipes, in my upcoming book, ALICE MEDRICH: CREATING COOKIES (working title) in the Fall 2010. So please look for it.”
oh those look just how turtle bars should be – rich and sinful.
Good grief, those look good!
I’m in awe of how amazing these bars look. I would certainly do some damage on a batch of those!
pearl, tea, and sharon: thanks for the comments! just looking at the photo of those turtle bars makes me drool.
Wow! I wish I could eat one of those right now. A post-breakfast snack. They look so gooey and wonderful!
These sound amazing! This is a perfect combination for me. Now, I have to find a copy of that book.
Megan: thanks for posting and visiting…Lisaiscooking: If you can find a copy of that book, consider yourself to be very fortunate. And thanks for visiting my blog.
Decadent, absolutely decadent!! I don’t know if i’d want to share if I made these!!
trust me bunny, it’s tough. at least the recipe makes a lot…
Is it wrong that I want to eat the entire pan? 🙂
Those bar look soooo delicious. This is coming from a chocoholic. =)
Dragon: no, not wrong.Jenn: I know, I know…
fact: melted chocolate is my favorite food to behold. and eat. these bars look and sound simply luscious. 🙂
Wow! Decadent and amazing. So worth the trouble of making, but they’d be eaten in minutes!
Grace & Jamie: thanks for the comments!
Oh my goodness! That looks so tasty!
Wow! These are so beautiful and sound addictive!
yummymangotango and dimah: thanks for the comments!
OH MY GOD. (wiping drool from my chin)…this looks amazing, I must make this, I MUST! Thanks for stopping at our blog- we're following you now so keep adding such amazing recipes!! :0)Truly,JeniferJ&J DISH
thanks, jaime and jen
oh gosh, this looks scrumptious. i LOVE alice medrich’s recipes–i’ve made quite a few, and they’re all winners.i made a similar type of bar; it was a dorie greenspan recipe, though. love the combo of cookie base with chocolate and nuts!
hi, happytummy. i’m sure dorie’s recipe is a great one too. I’ll have to look for it.
Oh wow those look so gooey and delicious and perfect.
thanks, eatme_delicious
OMG turtle bars look very delish!!!
thanks, aruna. these are one of my all-time favorites.
wow! this inspires me to make turtle bars! i never made them before! *blushes 😛
thanks, chocolatecup. they’re a lot easier than they look.
These look soo good – I just want to reach into the screen and take one … or two… 🙂
anita: yeah, and reading your comment makes me want to bake another batch right now
This looks wonderful, Justin. The photo is so clear and enticing.
Those look soooo good 🙂
… is that even legal? =) i'm definitely trying these out. and just found your blog — two thumbs up!
stella: thankscherine: thanks to you, toojenn: ha, good one
FYI – If anyone wants the recipe – Amazon will let you search the book for any recipes (when you are logged in). I searched "turtle" and got it! yay!
AmazonUser: how does that work? I've tried and its not working for me.