These homemade Chocolate Turtles are pecan clusters covered with chewy caramel and a layer of rich chocolate. They make fabulous gift-giving and holiday candy. They come together quickly using the microwave to melt the caramel and the chocolate. I love to include them on Christmas candy trays with Peanut Brittle, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Peanut Clusters (Crockpot or Microwave).
Are you a chocolate lover? I am, and so was my dear Mom. One of her absolute favorite candies was the Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle. She loved them!!! My Dad would stop and pick up a box of them at the Famous Barr candy counter. More than likely, you have had a turtle candy. However, I bet you did not know how easy it is to make this homemade candy. These four ingredient Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtles are so simple, delicious, and at a fraction of the cost of the fancy candy shops!
How to make Chocolate Turtles
First, cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Then, arrange your nuts to form an X to look like turtles’ feet. Please see the photo below. Now, melt your caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Using short intervals and stirring frequently. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of melted caramel over the pecans and allow it to set at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
Now melt the chocolate in the microwave. Remember to use short intervals and 50% power and stir between intervals until the bowl is no longer warm. Pile a heaping tablespoon of chocolate onto the caramel and smooth and swirl carefully with the back of the spoon. Allow them to set for several hours at room temperature undisturbed.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Use good quality large roasted pecan halves.
- Take your time arranging the pecans on your parchment-covered baking sheets. This recipe moves fast, so doing it while you are melting and spooning is not a good idea.
- Do not overcook the caramel. It melts fast, and you can easily burn it.
- Use really good quality semisweet chocolate. Always use short intervals and 50% reduced power to melt chocolate in the microwave. Stir well between each interval until the bottom of the bowl is no longer warm.
- Turtles will keep up to 2-3 weeks in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator or up to four months double-wrapped in the freezer. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
- For extra flavor and fun, experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or any combination of these chocolates layered or drizzled. Or top with a sprinkle of sea salt.
- For best results, store on parchment paper and with parchment paper between the layers of candy. Their little bottoms can be quite sticky.
- If the recipe is doubled, melt the caramel and chocolate in separate batches making one full batch of candies at a time before starting the second batch.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Pick a cool dry place. For best results, store on parchment paper and with parchment paper between the layers of candy. Their little bottoms can be quite sticky.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then store them in a sturdy container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter overnight.
You can put a batch of these together pretty quickly. There is cooling time, but you certainly don’t have to be present for that. You can do your laundry, weed your garden (it has been so warm here that I still have weeds in my garden), or read a book. So if you love chocolate, gooey caramel, and pecans, then these little babies are right up your alley!! I hope you enjoy these adorable sweet little treats. Why don’t you make a batch for your loved ones for the holidays?
Other candies to try!
Chocolate Turtles
Ingredients
- 48 pecan halves get a little extra in case some break
- 28 individually wrapped caramels
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips I use Ghirardelli chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil optional
Instructions
- Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat.
- Arrange pecans in twelve Xs, making four legs sticking out.
- Unwrap caramels and place them in a microwavable bowl. Don't use too small of a bowl. You will need to be able to easily stir it. Add cream and microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds If not melted, heat for 15-second intervals at 50% power. Stir between each interval. Stir and place one heaping tablespoon in the center of each set of pecans. Allow the caramel to cool at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave for 1 minute at 50% power. Stir until the bowl no longer feels warm. Continue heating at 15-30 second 50% power intervals until fully melted. Stirring every interval until the bowl no longer feels warm.
- Spoon chocolate over the caramel, spreading and swirling with the back of the spoon. Allow the candies to set at room temperature for several hours.
Notes
- Use good quality large roasted pecan halves.
- Take your time arranging the pecans on your parchment-covered baking sheets. This recipe moves really fast, so doing it while you are melting and spooning is not a good idea.
- Do not overcook the caramel. It melts really fast, and you can easily burn it.
- Use really good quality semisweet chocolate. Always use short intervals and 50% reduced power to melt chocolate in the microwave. Stir well between each interval until the bottom of the bowl is no longer warm.
- Turtles will keep up to 2-3 weeks in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator or up to four months double-wrapped in the freezer. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
- For extra flavor and fun, experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or any combination of these chocolates layered or drizzled. Or top with a sprinkle of sea salt.
- For best results, store on parchment paper and with parchment paper between the layers of candy. Their little bottoms can be quite sticky.
- If the recipe is doubled, melt the caramel and chocolate in separate batches making one full batch of candies at a time before starting the second batch.
Nutrition
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Sandra
These are really nice treats! An all time favorite at my house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandra!
Lavanda Michelle
I can already imagine the joy on my family’s faces when they bite into these delightful pecan clusters covered with chewy caramel and rich chocolate. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Tammy
Growing up Turtles were my favorite holiday candy. I didn’t realize how easy they were to make! What a fun treat to give out too for everyone. These were so good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tammy! I am so glad that you liked them!
Tanya
The perfect blend of pecans, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate makes them a delightful addition to holiday candy trays. Quick and easy to make, they’re a heavenly treat for festive celebrations!
Ned
These candies are one of my favorites. They are so yummy and fairly easy to make. They are so cute for holiday potlucks and parties. Always a winner!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you like them, Ned!
Yolanda
I love how cute these have turned out. The little pecan turtles tasted so good too. I love pecans.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yolanda! So glad that you liked the chocolate turtles!
Paula
I can practically taste the rich combination of pecans, chewy caramel, and chocolate. What a delightful treat for holiday gatherings and gifting!
Beth Pierce
So true! People really love homemade candies!
Stephanie
It doesn’t get much better than pecans, caramel and chocolate – I remember my mom bringing home boxes of these around the holidays. Now I can make them myself!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! Enjoy!
Beti
These are fantastic!! A must make!
Kathy
Oh wow! These are so fun and delicious! The perfect treat!
Bedabrata Chakraborty
Your dessert recipes are always so creative. Can you please suggest an alternative to pecans since it’s tough to get that in my country?
Beth Pierce
Do you have almonds available to you?
Catalina
These little candies make for a perfect homemade gift or a sweet indulgence during movie nights. I’m excited to try making these and add a touch of sweetness to my day!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! Enjoy!!
Sonia
Loving the creativity here. They are so cute.
Christian
I never knew chocolate turtle were so easy to make and tasted so delicious! Next time I am going to hide a few extra ones for myself. The kids gobbled them up way too fast!
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a plan!
Erik
I make these every year. They are the best. One of my wifes favorites.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erik! So glad that she likes them!
Gerry
These are so easy, cute, and really delicious. Perfect for hostess gifts and holiday trays.