This Chocolate Turtles recipe requires just 4 ingredients and can be made quickly using only your microwave.
Homemade candy is so easy to prepare using pecan clusters that are covered in caramel and melted chocolate–no baking or candy thermometer needed!
Turtle Chocolate Candy
Making homemade Turtles Candy is so simple and costs a fraction of the price of pecan turtles from a fancy chocolatier or your local chocolate store.
This easy-to-make chocolate turtle candy includes mini piles of crunchy pecans that are coated in chewy caramel and topped with melted milk chocolate and a sprinkle of salt.
Deliciously decadent with the right ratio of salty and sweet, this candy confection is meant to be rustic-looking, so don’t worry about keeping your chocolate caramel turtles round!
Why are these candies called chocolate turtles?
These candies received their name because they look like little turtles with chocolate shells when you pile the chocolate and caramel on top of the pecans.
Why we love this Chocolate Turtle Recipe
- Quick and easy to make using only the microwave.
- Only uses 4 ingredients to create the classic chocolate-covered turtles.
- Fun candy-making activity for kids and adults alike.
- Creamy, crisp, and chewy texture with a salty and sweet taste.
- Making your own chocolate pecan turtles at home saves both time and money.
- Great for edible gift-giving, homemade hostess presents, and holiday candy trays.
Other Homemade Candy Recipes
INGREDIENTS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE
- Pecans
- Caramel squares: Make sure you buy soft, individually wrapped caramel candies (not hard caramels). Both Kraft brand caramels and Werther’s Baking Caramels work well.
- Heavy cream
- Milk chocolate
- Coarse sea salt (optional)
Turtles Candy substitutions and additions
- Pass On The Pecans: While they might not be traditional chocolate turtles, you can replace the pecans with peanuts, cashews, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
- Choose Your Chocolate: Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate.
Recommended tools for Homemade Chocolate Turtles
- Sheet pans
- Silicone baking mats or parchment paper
- Microwave safe bowl
- Measuring tools
- Spoon
See Full Recipe Card Below
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Chocolate Turtle RECIPE
This quick and easy recipe makes the best chocolate turtles, not only because homemade candy tastes better than a store-bought box, but also because it is filled with fresh ingredients. They’re the perfect combination of pecan, caramel, and chocolate.
- Prepare The Pecans: Arrange five pecans in a cluster on the baking sheet to resemble a turtle. Repeat with all of the pecans.
- Add Caramel: Microwave caramels and cream in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted. Add a spoonful of caramel onto each pecan cluster.
Pro Tip: If the caramel is too thick, stir in the remaining heavy cream. - Cover With Chocolate: Microwave chocolate in 30-second increments until melted. Add a spoonful of chocolate to the top of each turtle and sprinkle with salt. Chill in the fridge until the chocolate has set.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Chocolate Turtle Candy tips
- Do not overcook the caramel. It melts quickly and you can easily burn it.
- When making the pecan piles, I recommend overlapping some of the nuts so that the caramel doesn’t ooze straight through.
- I prefer to use chopped-up chocolate bars for this recipe rather than chocolate chips. Chocolate chips don’t melt as well and can seize up in the microwave.
- If you choose to use chocolate chips, you will need to add a little coconut oil to help them melt smoothly and set up with a nice snap and shine.
- You can double or even triple this recipe to make homemade candy for friends and family.
How to store Turtle Chocolate Candy
- To Store: Place turtles in an airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
- To Freeze: Place turtles in a freezer-safe container, layered with parchment, in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Other Easy Candy Recipes
- The Perfect Meringue Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Cashew Clusters
- Peanut Brittle
- Cookie Dough Truffles
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Homemade Caramels
- Crock Pot Candy
- Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
- Thanksgiving Candy Turkey
- Dubai Chocolate Bar
Chocolate Turtles
Serves — 23
Chocolate Turtles are so quick and easy to make by preparing pecan cluster piles and covering them with melted caramel and chocolate. Just as delicious as Demet's turtles, but better because they're made at home!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 oz pecan halves
- 40 caramel squares
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 8 oz 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.
- 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.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
- To Store: Place turtles in an airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
- To Freeze: Place turtles in a freezer-safe container, layered with parchment, in the freezer for 2-3 months.
- Do not overcook the caramel. It melts quickly and you can easily burn it.
- When making the pecan piles, I recommend overlapping some of the nuts so that the caramel doesn’t ooze straight through.
- I prefer to use chopped up chocolate bars for this recipe rather than chocolate chips. Chocolate chips don’t melt as well and can seize up in the microwave.
- If you choose to use chocolate chips, you will need to add a little coconut oil to help them melt smoothly and set up with a nice snap and shine.
- You can double or even triple this recipe to make homemade candy for friends and family.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
For cuteness and easy❣️
Awesome recipe!