Turtles are one of my favorite Christmas candies!  I say Christmas, because my mom always always made them at Christmas.  I think we all looked forward to them all year long.  So what can I say?  When I saw this Turtle Bars recipe, I couldn't resist.  I love that it has ingredients that you usually have on hand... and it is really really easy... and fantastic to boot.  Perfect combination, right?!  Thank you cute Ali for this little gem!

So here is a tip for this recipe: cut the bars while they are still a little warm, but then wait until they are completely cooled to eat and they will stay together better.  When they are warm, they crumble a little. Hope you enjoy!

Turtle Bars

Submitted by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe
Recipe Source: "When Life Gives You a Chocolate Craving..." by Lemon Poppy

2 1/4 cups flour
2 1/4 cups oats (original recipe calls for quick oats, but I like regular oats because they are chewier to me)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 12 oz. bottle of caramel topping
2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

In a medium bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt and soda.  Add softened butter and stir until it makes crumbs.  Press three quarters of the crumbss in the bottom of a large cookie sheet (12 x 17 x 1 or 10 x 15 x 1).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and pour caramel evenly over crust.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips, pecans and remaining crumbs.  Return to oven and bake 15 minutes.  Cut while still warm (I thought they cut best slightly cooled, but still a little warm -- not hot).