Chocolate Turtles
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Posted: 12/12/24
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With only four ingredients these Chocolate Turtles couldn’t be easier to make! They make a delicious candy at Christmas and are the perfect gift. A delicious combination of chewy, gooey, salty and sweet!
I love to make easy candy recipes for the holidays like Rolo pretzels and peanut clusters and these cute caramel turtles with chocolate and pecans is another easy favorite!
Homemade candy doesn’t have to be hard to make and these chocolate turtles are a perfect example! You only need a few ingredients and you don’t need a candy thermometer or other special tools.
This kind of candy is called “turtles” because that’s what they look like – cute little turtles with chocolate shells and pecan feet!
If you can melt chocolate, you can make this recipe. They’re not hard to assemble and the result is great! I’m showing you step-by-step how to make them so they turn out perfectly every time.
They are the best combination of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and crunchy nuts. The perfect treat to give as gifts or serve at a holiday party.
If you’ve never made homemade candy, this turtle candy recipe is the best one to try. Everyone will think you bought them at a gourmet candy shop!
Ingredients for Chocolate Turtles
- Pecan halves – These are the feet!
- Caramel squares – These are melted to make a caramel sauce that acts like a glue to hold the pecans and chocolate shell together.
- Heavy cream – This thins the caramel sauce so it’s easy to spoon.
- Chopped milk chocolate – Chopped chocolate melts better than chocolate chips.
- Coarse sea salt – This is optional, but adds a nice texture and flavor. I like to use Maldon sea salt.
Substitutions
Can you use chopped pecans instead of halves?
If you want to use chopped nuts, use about one tablespoon for each piece of candy. Pile it and then pour the caramel sauce over the top. Your turtles won’t have feet – it will look like they’re hiding in their shell!
Can you use other nuts?
Classic chocolate turtles are made with pecans but I think walnuts, peanuts, cashews, macademia nuts, or almonds would work well.
Can you use another type of chocolate?
You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate for this recipe. I just recommend using chopped chocolate instead of chocolate chips for the best results.
Products Needed
How to Make Chocolate Caramel Turtles
- Arrange the pecan halves on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place them in a circle shape with ends facing out.
- Melt the caramels with the cream in the microwave until smooth. If the caramel is too thick, thin it with a little more cream. Spoon caramel on top of each pecan cluster.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave until smooth and then top the caramel with a spoonful of melted chocolate.
- Sprinkle the sea salt over the top of the chocolate. Chill the chocolate turtles in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set.
How to Store Chocolate Turtles
I like to stack the chocolate turtles in an airtight container with parchment paper or wax paper separating the layers. This will keep them from sticking to each other.
They will keep at room temperature for up to three weeks. You can also store them in the refrigerator.
Recipe Tips for the Best Chocolate Turtles
- You can use your favorite chocolate but use a chopped chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. The higher-quality chocolate you use, the better your turtle candy will be!
- Most likely you will only need one tablespoon of cream to melt the caramels. This should give it a spoonable consistency. If yours is too thick, add up to one more tablespoon of cream.
- You can just spoon the melted chocolate on top or you can create a swirl. Just lightly press the back of the spoon on the chocolate and turn it to create a swirl design you like.
Everyone will love these homemade chocolate turtles! It’s a fun candy to make and it’s so easy you can make batches of them all through the holiday season. Enjoy!
More Homemade Holiday Treats
- Learn how to make Peppermint Bark! It’s an easy homemade bark recipe that’s perfect for gifts.
- Soft and chewy Caramels are a great candy to share with family and friends.
- For a great make-ahead treat, try my Chocolate Covered Cherries!
- Buckeye Candy is the perfect creamy peanut butter and chocolate combination.
- Christmas Crack is an easy Christmas candy that’s always a hit!
- Christmas Cornflake Wreaths are a favorite Christmas treat that is so easy to make!
- Turtle Cookie Cups have all the flavors of your favorite Turtles candy in cookie form!
- Festive red and green cookies that make the perfect Christmas Cookie for cookie trays!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chocolate Turtles Candy
Easy Christmas Candy made with only four ingredients! These Chocolate Turtles are easy to make and perfectly sweet and salty.
Video
Turtles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pecan halves
- 40 caramel squares
- 1-2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 8 ounces milk chocolate chopped
- Coarse sea salt optional
Instructions
- Line two sheet pans with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- Arrange five pecans on the sheet pan together to have what looks like a turtle. Repeat this with all of the pecans.
- Place your caramels and one tablespoon of cream into a medium mixing bowl.
- Microwave in thirty-second increments, stirring in between until the caramel is melted. If the caramel is too thick, stir in the remaining heavy cream.
- Pour a spoonful of caramel onto each cluster of pecans.
- Then place your chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments until the chocolate is melted.
- Add a spoonful of chocolate onto the top of each of the turtles. Sprinkle the top of each chocolate with the salt.
- Place sheet pans into the fridge until the chocolate has set.
Tips
Can You Use Chopped Pecans Instead Of Halves?
If you want to use chopped nuts, use about one tablespoon for each piece of candy. Pile it and then pour the caramel sauce over the top. Your turtles won’t have feet – it will look like they’re hiding in their shell!
Can You Use Other Nuts?
Classic chocolate turtles are made with pecans but I think walnuts, peanuts, cashews, macademia nuts, or almonds would work well.
Can You Use Another Type Of Chocolate?
You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate for this recipe. I just recommend using chopped chocolate instead of chocolate chips for the best results.
I like to stack the chocolate turtles in an airtight container with parchment paper or wax paper separating the layers. This will keep them from sticking to each other.
They will keep at room temperature for up to three weeks. You can also store them in the refrigerator.
- You can use your favorite chocolate but use a chopped chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. The higher-quality chocolate you use, the better your turtle candy will be!
- Most likely you will only need one tablespoon of cream to melt the caramels. This should give it a spoonable consistency. If yours is too thick, add up to one more tablespoon of cream.
- You can just spoon the melted chocolate on top or you can create a swirl. Just lightly press the back of the spoon on the chocolate and turn it to create a swirl design you like.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 187kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 21g (7%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 44mg (2%), Potassium: 107mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 17g (19%), Vitamin A: 22IU, Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 34mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
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