Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE and make The Best Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters. Just the combination of the pecan clusters mixed with creamy caramel and chocolate and a light sprinkling of coarse salt makes me shudder with anticipation just thinking about it!
Next time try my Hot Chocolate Bombs, they're so cute and make great gifts, just like these Chocolate Turtles!
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I'll never forget, in our old house, many moons ago, a neighbor across the street came by at Christmas time and gave me a little gift box with these delicious homemade chocolate turtles in it. I fell in love with them and had to have the recipe!
❤️ Why You'll Love Them
- They really do make great party favors.
- When picking a candy I always seem to choose the nut, caramel, chocolate combination types and if it has salt... even better! That's why this Turtle Chocolate Candy is so yummy.
🧅 Ingredients
You will need: (amounts listed in recipe card below)
- Pecan Halves
- Soft Caramel candies (or homemade caramel)
- Chocolate melting wafers (I prefer Milk Chocolate)
- Heavy Cream
- Coarse Sea Salt
🥣 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Arrange the Pecan Halves on a baking tray (cookie sheet) lined with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Add the caramels to a microwave safe bowl and add the heavy cream. Microwave on high for 30 seconds then give it a stir. If you think it needs more add another 15 seconds.
- Step 3: Allow the caramel to cool just a little, then spoon about 1 Tablespoon of caramel over the arranged pecan halves.
- Step 4: Melt the chocolate melting discs in the microwave, for 30 seconds. Stir. If more is needed go ahead in 15 second intervals. Allow to cool a little. Use a double boiler if you prefer for this step.
- Step 5: Spoon about 1 Tablespoon of chocolate over the top of the caramel. Allow to cool somewhat.
- Step 6: Sprinkle sea salt over each 'turtle' - this step is optional.
- Step 7: Place baking sheet into refrigerator for about an hour, to set.
🍽 How To Serve Chocolate Turtles
You can put them on a dish, like I did, if you are passing them around. Or keep them in a container in your home for people to take one as they want.
Like my neighbor did with me, you could get some cute little gift boxes of homemade turtles and gift these cute little fellas at Christmas time.
More sweet recipes from The Cagle Diaries:
Chocolate Trifle | Pecan Pie | King Cake | Buttercream Easter Eggs
🧊 Storage
This candy can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks (if they last that long - definitely not in my house!)
You can also freeze these goodies by keeping wax paper in between any layering, in an airtight freezer safe container, for 3 months.
👩🍳 FAQs
Because you already have the sweetness of the caramel, a semi sweet chocolate works best (I think). However, you should also try a dark chocolate turtle - this has a different taste but also works well with the caramel. This is personal preference. I wouldn't try white chocolate.
I use four, just because I think it's tidier - I tell my kids his head is hiding in his shell, lol! If you want to go for five that's fine. Having more or less pecans is not going to make or break the recipe.
Absolutely not. This is why I state it as being an optional ingredient. I LOVE the sweet salty taste so it works great for me. If you prefer to leave off the salt, go right ahead.
Most likely because there is too much cream in your caramel mixture which has made your caramel just a little too soft. This is a fine line. Next time use less cream.
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Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters
Delicious Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters made with caramel, chocolate and pecans with just a hint of sea salt sprinkled on top. Absolute heaven!
Ingredients
- 8oz Pecan Halves
- 12oz Soft Caramel Candy
- ½ Tablespoon Heavy Cream
- 7oz Chocolate Wafers (for melting), semi sweet
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Sea Salt (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Arrange the Pecan Halves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Add the caramels to a microwave safe bowl and add the heavy cream. Microwave on high for 30 seconds then give it a stir. If you think it needs more add another 15 seconds.
- Step 3: Allow the caramel to cool just a little, then spoon about 1 Tablespoon of caramel over the arranged pecan halves.
- Step 4: Melt the chocolate melting discs in the microwave, for 30 seconds. Stir. If more is needed go ahead in 15 second intervals. Allow to cool a little.
- Step 5: Spoon about 1 Tablespoon of chocolate over the top of the caramel. Allow to cool somewhat.
- Step 6: Sprinkle sea salt over each 'turtle' - this step is optional.
- Step 7: Place baking sheet into refrigerator for about an hour, to set.
Notes
The sea salt is optional, but recommended!
Depending on the caramel, you may need a little more or a little less cream. You don't want the caramel to be too soft that it sticks to everything and doesn't set enough - but you also don't want it to be crunchy. I used Werther's Original Soft Caramel for mine, with ½ Tablespoon of cream and it worked great.
I like to use 4 pecan halves for mine, but I've seen 3 used, as well as 5. This is your preference! I just told my kids that his head was inside his shell 😉
Nutrition Information
Yield 15 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 250Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 2mgSodium 555mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 2gSugar 20gProtein 3g
I looked up the history of Chocolate Turtles. Johnson's Candy Company (Later DeMet's) had a salesman visit them (1918) who pointed out that one of their new creations in The Dipping Room looked like a turtle. And so it was.
There are differing ways to make these little pieces of heaven, but I think that absolute best chocolate turtle is when it REALLY looks like a turtle, you know 4 legs, a shell that looks like a shell. That's why I love making mine like I do, it's easy, no need to chop ingredients, you still get the flavor effect but in a cute way.
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