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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Gluten-Free Turtle Cookie Bars

    Modified: Jul 22, 2024 • Published: Mar 21, 2020 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • 7 Comments

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    These turtle cookie bars are the perfect dessert. These bars have a cookie layer, caramel layer, a pecan topping and are then drizzled in chocolate to give them the best flavour. You will love that they are also gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo.

    A stack of four turtle cookie bars.
    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • How to make (step-by-step):
    • Top tips:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to store:
    • Frequently asked questions:
    • Other recipes you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • These turtle bars taste amazing! They combine a cookie layer, a caramel layer, a pecan crunch layer and are then drizzled in chocolate.
    • These bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free and paleo.
    • These turtle cookie bars can easily be made vegan by replacing the egg with a flax seed egg.
    • These dessert bars are perfect to enjoy any time but are also a great option to serve for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, bridal showers or baby showers. 
    • They store well and freeze well so are a great meal prep option.
    • Kids love them!

    If you love dessert some of my other favourites include healthy apple pie bars and dairy free caramel brownies.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    • Almond flour – this is used to make the delectable cookie layer that forms the base of these bars. You could swap this for cashew flour. Be sure you use almond flour and not almond meal. 
    • Coconut flour – coconut flour is used to help make the cookie layer of these bars. I don’t recommend swapping this for any other flours. 
    • Coconut sugar – coconut sugar is used to give the cookie layer the perfect amount of sweetness while keeping these bars refined sugar free. You could swap this for brown sugar. 
    • Cashew butter – to make the delectable creamy caramel layer. Be sure to use smooth, unsweetened cashew butter.
    • Coconut oil - this adds moisture and helps give the bars the perfect gooey texture.
    • Vanilla extract - this helps enhance the flavours of these dessert bars.
    • Egg - this helps bind the cookie layer and give it the perfect texture.
    • Baking soda - to help the bars rise when they bake. Do not try swapping this for baking powder.
    • Sea salt - to help contrast the sweetness of these decadent bars.
    • Honey or maple syrup – either of these natural sweeteners will do to sweeten the caramel layer of these bars while keeping them refined sugar free.
    • Nuts: cashews and pecans are used for the crunchy nut layer of these bars. You can swap these nuts for any others that you prefer. 
    • Chocolate – melted dark chocolate is the final touch for these delicious turtle bars. You can use chocolate chips or chocolate bars for the melted chocolate.

    How to make (step-by-step):

    To make the cookie layer:

    Step one:

    First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Step two:

    Now add all the cookie layer ingredients to the bowl of your standing mixer and blend well until smooth.

    Step three:

    Then line an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish with parchment paper and place the dough into the glass dish and spread well until smooth (the batter is very sticky, so wet your spoon frequently to help spread the dough). 

    Step four:

    Then place in the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean. Then remove the pan from the oven and let it cool. You can now start making the caramel layer.

    To make the caramel layer:

    Step one:

    Place all the ingredients into a glass bowl or measuring cup and stir together until smooth. 

    Step two:

    When the cookie layer has cooled, pour the caramel over it and spread it out into an even layer, then make the nut layer.

    To make the nut layer:

    Step one:

    Place the nuts into your food processor and blend until the nuts are the size you desire.

    Step two:

    Spread the chopped nuts over the caramel layer and then place the baking dish in the fridge and let it cool for about 1 hour.

    To make the chocolate layer:

    Step one:

    Break the chocolate bar into pieces and place it into a glass bowl or measuring cup.

    Step two:

    Heat the chocolate on high in the microwave for 30 second intervals, until the chocolate has melted. 

    Step three:

    Drizzle the melted chocolate over the nut layer and place the baking dish into the fridge for another 30 minutes, until the chocolate hardens. 

    Step four:

    Lastly, cut the bars into desired sized pieces and enjoy!

    Step by step directions for making turtle cookie bars.

    Top tips:

    • Do not try swapping the almond flour for all purpose flour. The recipe won't turn out.
    • Don't try swapping the coconut flour for another flour. I have not tried any swaps and don't think that any other flours would work.

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • If you are allergic to almonds I would use cashew flour instead of almond flour.
    • If you don't have cashew butter for the caramel layer I would substitute with almond butter or peanut butter.
    • To make these bars vegan, substitute the egg with a flax seed egg.
    • For the nut layer feel free to change up the nuts. You could use only pecans, only cashews, or substitute with other nuts such as almonds.

    How to store:

    Store these cookie bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days. 

    These bars also freeze really well in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to 3 months.

    Turtle bars that have been cut into pieces.

    Frequently asked questions:

    Are these turtle bars vegan? 

    As written, the recipe is not vegan, but to make them vegan all you need to do is swap the egg for either a flax egg or chia egg. 

    Can I freeze these bars?

    Absolutely! These bars freeze really well. Simply cut them into pieces and then store them in an air tight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    Other recipes you will love:

    • Paleo Chocolate Donuts
    • Cranberry Lemon Bars
    • Paleo Brownies with Caramel
    • Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    • Vegan Cookie Dough
    • Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    Turtle Cookie Bars

    These turtle cookie bars taste amazing! With a cookie layer, caramel layer, crunchy pecan layer and chocolate they are the perfect treat. Also gluten free, dairy free and paleo!
    4.72 from 28 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 bars
    Calories: 365kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • standing mixer
    • food processor
    • 8 inch glass baking dish

    Ingredients

    Cookie Layer Ingredients

    • 1 cup almond flour
    • 3/4 cup coconut sugar
    • 2 tablespoon coconut flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • pinch sea salt
    • 1/2 cup cashew butter
    • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tablespoon organic vanilla extract

    Caramel Layer Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup cashew butter
    • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
    • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
    • pinch sea salt

    Nut Layer Ingredients

    • 1/4 cup raw cashews
    • 1/4 cup raw pecans

    Chocolate Layer Ingredients

    • 1 dark chocolate bar

    Instructions

    Cookie Layer

    • Preheat your oven to 350F.
    • Add all the cookie layer ingredients to the bowl of your standing mixer and blend well until smooth.
    • Line an 8"x8" glass baking dish with parchment paper.
    • Place the dough into the glass baking dish and spread well until smooth (Note that the batter is very sticky, so wet your spoon frequently to help spread the dough).
    • Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.
    • Remove from the oven and let cool and then start making the caramel layer.

    Caramel Layer

    • Place all the ingredients into a glass bowl or measuring cup and stir until smooth.
    • When the cookie layer has cooled, pour the caramel over it and spread until smooth, then make the nut layer.

    Nut Layer

    • Place the nuts into your food processor and process until the nuts are the size you desire.
    • Spread the chopped nuts over the caramel layer.
    • Place the baking dish in the fridge and let cool for ~ 1 hour.

    Chocolate Layer

    • Break the chocolate bar into pieces and place it into a glass bowl or measuring cup.
    • Heat on high in the microwave for 30 second intervals, until the chocolate is melted.
    • Drizzle the melted chocolate over the nut layer.
    • Place the baking dish back into the fridge for another ~30 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.
    • Cut the bars into desired sized pieces and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 
    2. This recipe can be made vegan by substituting a flax seed egg for the egg.
    3. Store these bars in the fridge for up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

     

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth Lamarche

      December 26, 2020 at 4:20 am

      Made these bars as gifts this year and delivered on the porch of family members. They were a complete hit! Everyone wanted more, I had to make a triple batch to satisfy the demand. I recommend making at least a double batch, even if just making them for yourself.5 stars

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        January 09, 2021 at 11:23 pm

        I'm so thrilled you loved them!!! Yay!

        Reply
    2. Natalie

      May 01, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      Delicious and easy to make! Definitely making them again!!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Natalie

      March 30, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      Looks delicious! Can you substitute a different nut butter for the cashew butter or would you not recommend?

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        March 30, 2020 at 3:47 pm

        As I mentioned in the tips I would try using almond butter instead 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kristie

      March 22, 2020 at 3:59 am

      These are delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        March 30, 2020 at 3:46 pm

        So glad you loved them!!!

        Reply

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    Hi everyone!

    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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