This easy homemade chocolate turtles recipe is made with crisp pecans, chewy caramel and creamy chocolate with flake sea salt on top.
Love Christmas candy? Don’t miss my homemade toffee, Christmas crack toffee and caramel candy recipe.
Table of Contents
Easy Pecan Turtles
These homemade turtles taste just like the ones you’d get from a fancy candy store! They have the perfect chocolate to caramel ratio and that sprinkle of sea salt really takes them over the top.
They’re super easy to make with only 4 ingredients. Plus they come together quickly, which means you’ll be saving both time and money making your own pecan turtles at home. Use extra pecans to whip up a batch of this butter pecan cookies recipe!
4 Simple Ingredients!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Pecan halves: To give them a boost of flavor, toast them in a skillet over medium heat for a minute.
- Caramels: I like to use Kraft caramels (the bits work great too) or werthers. If I’m really splurging I prefer to use Peter’s/
- Heavy cream: Just need a little splash to help the caramel melt nicely.
- Semi-sweet chocolate: Using chocolate chips or melting wafers.
How to Make Chocolate Turtles
- Pile. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then pile 3 to 5 pecans together to make pecan clusters.
- Melt. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel with heavy cream for 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then microwave for another 30 seconds if needed. If you need to thin it out a bit, add in another Tablespoon of cream. Then let cool for 1 minute.
- Pour. Drizzle about 1 to 2 teaspoons of caramel on top of each cluster. Then allow to set.
- Melt. Melt the chocolate in a double broiler or place in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then microwave for another 15 seconds if needed. Let cool for 1 minute. Pour about a teaspoon of chocolate on top of the caramel.
Expert Tips
- Toast the pecans in a skillet for a minute or two to get a more toasted taste.
- Don’t forget the maldon flake salt adds (it’s the best) on top.
- Be careful not to overcook the caramel. It can burn easily.
- Use a gourmet caramel like Peters caramel. You could also make your own as well using my microwave caramel recipe or homemade caramels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turtles are a candy made with pecans, caramel and chocolate.
Turtles were named by Johnson’s Candy Company after one of their workers pointed to the clusters and said they looked like turtles.
If cooking in the microwave, it will take about 1 minute. Go in 20 second increments after that point and stir in between.
It’s a combination of sweet and salty with the texture being soft and crunchy from the nuts. All the best textures in one dessert.
Layer them between wax or parchment paper in a covered container. They’ll stay good at room temperature for 3 weeks. You can also freeze up to 3 months.
Storage and Freezing
To store: Place turtles in an airtight container and store at room temp for up to 3 weeks. Just make sure to keep them in a cool, dry place so that the chocolate doesn’t start to melt!
To freeze: Add to a freezer container with a piece of wax paper in between each layer of candies. Store in freezer for up to 2 months.
Do you love pecans? You’ll also want to try my recipe for chocolate pecan pie, Mexican wedding cookies, pecan pie bar recipe or these candied pecans.
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Chocolate Turtles Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pecan halves
- 8 ounces caramels , I prefer Krafts or Peters
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melting wafers , or chopped chocolate
- flake sea salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pile 3-5 pecans together into a cluster.
- Melt the caramel with the heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Microwave an additional 30 seconds if needed. Add another Tablespoon of cream if needed to thin it out. Allow to cool for 1 minute.
- Pour about 1-2 teaspoons of caramel over each cluster. Then allow to set.
- Melt the chocolate in a double broiler or in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Microwave an additonal 15 seconds if needed. Allow to cool for 1 minute. Pour about a teaspoon of chocolate over top of the caramel.
- Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes and then sprinkle the sea salt over top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, No-Bake
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
By far my favorite sweet and salty treat! We just made a ton to give as holiday gifts!
I love that you gave the chocolate turtles as holiday gifts, Nora! I’m so glad you love them!
these are the best little chocolate turtles and I cannot thank you enought for sharing this amazing reciipe!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed the chocolate turtles!