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.
Teresa says
Mason jars according to their website are not approved to bake in . They can explode in the oven. I would not take a chance doing that
Toni Dash says
Thank you Teresa for leaving this. This recipe and others I’ve made with jelly jars all predated the notifications I found after reading your comment. I’ve never had an issue so it makes me wonder if the jars have changed. I’ll look into this further. I’ve made several recipes like this one multiple times and have never had an issue (not suggesting if you are not comfortable that you should make them). I also wonder if it has to do with the temperature the jars are cooked at….
Rondee Wilkerson says
Can I make ahead and freeze?
Toni Dash says
We’ve never tried to freeze them Rondee. I’m not sure the caramel would weather the freezing and thawing well.
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: Mascarpone Key Lime Curd Cheesecakes in jars, Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping and Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars.
Melanie says
Are you actually baking the actual brownies in the jars?
Toni Dash says
Yes!