You will love these Jelly Jar Chocolate Turtle Brownies! Baked in the jars using a box mix, topped with gooey caramel, pecans and chocolate. Works with gluten-free, regular or allergy-friendly mixes!
As I was making these cute, individual Jelly Jar Chocolate Turtle Brownies, I was thinking of all the reasons people should own jelly jars. It has been a long time since I did any canning of jam or jelly but they are perfect for so many other things. They are great for carrying some trail mix in for a hike, in kid’s lunch boxes (as well as many non-food organizing).
Some of my favorite desserts are personal-sized. Not only is that approach fantastic for portion control and ease of serving, but most people love getting their OWN dessert. Some winners I’ve served include Mini Mascarpone Key Lime Curd Cheesecake in Jars, Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping and Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars. All of them are made in 4-ounce jelly jars!
As I was thinking of what I wanted to serve up here today I mentally meandered from a rib recipe to land with these Jelly Jar Chocolate Turtle Brownies. Don’t ask how that works, trust me. I’ve had not made many sweets since the New Year has begun but it seemed a good time for something ooey, gooey and fun.
These brownies are made all the quicker by using your favorite box mix. They can be made with regular brownie mix, gluten-free brownie mix or allergy-friendly brownie mix; whatever works for your needs. The mix is whipped up, added to the little jelly jars and baked as normal. When the brownies have cooled, they are layered with an easy caramel sauce, chunks of chocolate and pecans, inspired by turtle candies!
The brownies are portable, easy to serve to a group or to portion them out (I do find in my house everyone cuts a different size Brownie)!
This Jelly Jar Chocolate Turtle Brownies recipe is fun to make and everyone loves having their own individual serving! A basic brownie mix hack (with gluten-free, regular or allergy-friendly brownie mix) baked into jelly jars and topped with gooey caramel, pecans and chocolate chunks.
Jelly Jar Chocolate Turtle Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 4- ounce Jelly Jars
- Brownie Mix (gluten-free or regular) plus ingredients called for in mix
- 1 11- ounce package Caramels , unwrapped (I used Kraft brand)
- 3 tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks or Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup rough chopped Pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature called for on the brownie mix. Spray 12 jelly jars with non-stick cooking spray and place them on a rimmed baking sheet (note: use a light color baking sheet; if using black the brownies may cook faster).
- Prepare the brownie mix as directed on package. Divide it evenly between the jelly jars, filling the jars approximately halfway full.
- Bake for 25 minutes and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick and if it comes out clean, they should be done. Note: unless the box mix indicates another way to determine they are done; or continue to bake for 5 minutes and check for doneness again.
- Allow to fully cool on a cooling rack.
- When the brownies have cooled, combine the unwrapped caramels and the whipping cream in a heavy, small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until the caramels have melted. Note: the caramel will begin to solidify again quickly so you must work quickly for the next steps!
- Spoon evenly between all of the jelly jars (using a large dining spoon works well) to cover the top of the brownie and immediately sprinkle with the pecans, pushing them into the caramel if needed to secure them.
- As the caramel begins to solidify (if the caramel is too hot it will melt the chocolate) sprinkle with the chocolate chunks and push them into the caramel to secure them as needed. Serve or cover the tops with plastic wrap until serving.
Suzanne McLennan says
These look great and I plan to try them on my friends coming for lunch. Do you think individual cheesecakes would work in the jelly jars?
Toni Dash says
Yes! Here are three of my cheesecake recipes made in jelly jars:
https://boulderlocavore.com/mini-mascarpone-key-lime-curd-cheesecakes-in-jars/
https://boulderlocavore.com/mini-mascarpone-cheesecakes-with-strawberry-balsamic-topping/
https://boulderlocavore.com/mini-pumpkin-pie-cheesecakes-in-mason-jars/
Melanie says
Are you actually baking the actual brownies in the jars?
Toni Dash says
Yes!
Arci says
Gifting so can i put metal lids on jars with Christmas fabric?
Toni Dash says
Are you meaning canning lids? So you’d put the metal lid on, fabric then secure it with the lid ring? You should be able to. The only issue I could imagine would be if the top layer is higher than the edge of the jar. Then you’d have to smash it to get the lid on.
Sherry says
Very very good!! I big hit!!!
Toni Dash says
So glad you enjoyed them Sherry! They are a favorite recipe for me too.
Cindy Collins says
Help Please….I couldn’t find caramels and was wondering if a good jar carmel sauce would work?
Toni Dash says
Hi Cindy. Caramel sauce is just that, a sauce, so it will be runny. It also may soak into the brownies some. The caramel in the recipe solidifies as you can see in the photo and makes a caramel layer.
I’m surprised you can’t find caramels as they are widely available at grocery stores and drug stores where candy is sold.
That being said, the tone of your comment and that it’s on Christmas Eve leads me to guess you are making these for entertaining or gifts and are stuck. If it were me I’d try the caramel sauce. Maybe on one and see how it behaves. Since these brownies are in jars they’ll stay contained but you want to make sure the sauce will stay on top of the brownies and not soak in.
Good luck! Let me know how it all works out. Happy Holidays.
LISA says
Was thinking of making these for Xmas gifts how far in advance can I make i make them? Do they need to be refrigerated thank you
Toni Dash says
Hi Lisa. Typically Brownies can remain at room temperature for a few days and still be fresh. For these I would recommend gifting them the day after making. If you add the caramel they will need to be refrigerated. They will be freshest right after you bake them.
Amy Desrosiers says
Your site never ceases to make me drool. What a gorgeous dessert and beautiful photography.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Those jars are loaded with great stuff.
Toni Dash says
Definitely agree with you Megan!
Karrie Truman says
Wow, turtle candies are usually one of my favorite treats. I can only imagine how amazing these turtle brownies would be with all that caramel!!
Our family World says
I love brownies. This is a perfect recipe, i need to try this!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
There is no way I could sit down and eat just one of these. Turtles are my favorites. I need these in my life right now.
Kita Bryant says
Mmm I would just love to eat. that up. I love brownies so much. These look just incredible.
Karrie Truman says
Peanut butter goes so well with brownies. This recipe looks great!
Toni Dash says
I agree it does! This recipe however doesn’t have any peanut butter in it Karrie. The topping is gooey caramel, pecans and chocolate chunks recreating Turtles candies. I hope that won’t discourage you from trying the recipe. You could always add some peanut butter on top!
Crystal says
Those look heavenly! I love the presentation with the jelly jars. Perfect for grabbing & going.
kristin says
YUM!! These sound incredible, I want to make these!!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This looks very tasty.
What a yummy-looking treat!
Autumn Reo says
I don’t care about anything else all week, as long as I get to make these this weekend. YUM. (sharing)
Toni Dash says
Ha, ha! Once you taste them you’ll feel completed validated for that steely focus Autumn!