Homemade Chocolate Turtles — Fast, easy, no-bake and just 4 ingredients! Chewy, gooey, salty-and-sweet! Homemade always tastes better! Yum!!
Caramel Pecan Turtle Recipe
I’ve always loved Turtles and decided to make my own. Everything tastes better when it’s homemade, even Turtles.
Lately I can’t get enough of the pecan-caramel-chocolate combination. Crunchy, chewy, salty-and-sweet.
First there was Salted Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars, then The Best Turtle Brownies, and now these.
I first made Turtles in 2009. Holy antique photography but I don’t delete old posts because they remind me how far I’ve come and how far my daughter has come. She was in cloth diapers then and now she’s in glittery lip gloss.
These homemade turtles candies are no-bake, easy, ready in under a half hour, and you only need 4 ingredients.
Some Turtles in the photos below are coated with milk chocolate and others with dark. On some, I sprinkled sea salt to play up the salty-and-sweet aspect. On some I drizzled milk chocolate over a dark chocolate-coated Turtle and vice versa.
Between the salty-and-sweet component, the crunchy pecans, chewy and gooey caramel, and the rich chocolate, they’re hard to resist. Save this recipe for holiday candy-making, birthdays, or for a last-minute hostess gift.
Or just hoard them all for yourself.
Ingredients in Chocolate Turtles
To make these homemade caramel turtles, you’ll need the following:
- Pecan halves (I used Trader Joe’s roasted, salted pecan halves)
- Caramel squares
- Cream or half and half
- Chocolate
- Sea salt (optional)
How to Make Chocolate Turtles
Homemade turtle candy is simple to prepare and requires no baking! Here’s a look at how the chocolate turtles are made:
- Make piles of about 5 pecans each and top each pile with caramel sauce.
- I melted 25 caramel squares with 1/4 cup cream in the microwave (or use the stove). Take your time and stop and stir frequently so you don’t burn the mixture and have to start over. The caramel sauce is runny and loose when you first take it out of the microwave, but firms up quite a bit as it cools.
- After topping each pecan pile with caramel, cover with melted chocolate.
What’s the Best Type of Chocolate for Turtles?
I used Trader Joe’s Pound Plus Bars because they melt smoother and easier than chocolate chips. You may use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate. Pick your favorite!
Can I Use Another Type of Nut?
Yes, but caramel turtles are traditionally made with pecan halves. However, roasted peanuts or almonds would also taste delicious here!
What Type of Caramels Should I Use?
You want to buy soft, individually wrapped caramel candies (not hard caramels). I’ve made the chocolate turtles recipe with both Kraft brand caramels and Werther’s Baking Caramels and can recommend both.
How to Store Homemade Turtles
Store the pecan turtles at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Tips for Making Homemade Turtles Candy
When making the pecan piles, I recommend overlapping some of the nuts so that the caramel doesn’t ooze straight through.
Melting the caramel can be tricky, so I’ve given very detailed tips on how to melt it in the recipe card below.
You’ll want to chop up chocolate bars for this recipe rather than use chocolate chips. Chocolate chips don’t melt as well and can seize up in the microwave.
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Homemade Turtles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pecan halves, I used roasted, lightly salted
- 25 caramel squares, unwrapped (about 1 heaping cup)
- ¼ cup cream or half-and-half, divided
- about 16 ounces roughly chopped chocolate, melted (I used 8 ounces dark and 8 ounces milk, both Trader Joe’s Pound Plus bars)
- sea salt, optional for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets or large platters with parchment paper. It’s helpful if they will fit in either fridge or freezer.
- Make small piles of pecans, using 5 to 6 pieces per pile. Overlap the pecans some to reduce gaps so the caramel doesn’t seep through.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels, half of the cream (reserve the remainder), and heat on high power to melt. It will probably take about 3 to 4 minutes total, but you must stop and stir the mixture every 30 seconds so you don’t burn it. Alternatively, you can melt caramels on the stove over low heat, using caution and stirring frequently. **(see notes below on melting the caramels)
- Add about 1 tablespoon caramel to the top of each pecan pile; set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add 8 ounces chocolate and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate can be stirred smooth. I prefer working in smaller batches with chocolate and recommend doing the same and not heating all 16 ounces at once; melt additional chocolate as necessary.
- Add about 2 tablespoons chocolate to the top of each pecan cluster by dolloping it on top and letting it fall down the sides.
- Optionally add a pinch of sea salt to each Turtle.
- Allow Turtles to firm up at room temp (will take many hours) or in the fridge or freezer (about 15 minutes) before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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The Easiest Foolproof Fudge Recipe — Look no further than this recipe for the EASIEST and most FOOLPROOF fudge that takes less than 3 minutes to make!! Customize it with your favorite add-ins like cranberries and walnuts!
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Holiday Special K Bars — Super chewy, gooey, FAST, easy, no-bake cereal bars loaded with peanut butter, chocolate, and sprinkles!! Like scotcheroos but with Special K!
Holiday Seven Layer Bars — Soft, ultra chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, shredded coconut, sprinkles, and more!! A FAST and EASY holiday recipe that’s great for hostess gifts or cookie exchanges!!
Holiday White Chocolate Fudge — This EASY foolproof white chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for Christmas and holiday parties!
I love that huge stack of turtles!! Gorgeous! I went ahead and pinned these to my Christmas board, because I do NOT want to forget about these come December!
Thanks for pinning and I never forget about chocolate, funny how that works. No matter the season :)
Your turtles look absolutely perfect, Averie! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, Anna!
These look amazing! I’ll have to try them.
xo Amanda
https://theluxelion.blogspot.com
I love turtles too…so much. Have you tried the mini sweet and salty ones yet? HOLY HECK!!! I love the idea of making my own though – definitely need to try these!
I haven’t tried those but I guess I kind of made my own version of those with these by adding sea salt, although I haven’t seen them so I don’t know for sure!
I’m not sure it’s a good thing that I now know how to make these … so, Averie, you like nuts in candy, just not in baked goods?
Yes although in baked goods, if it’s chocolate, like brownies or fudgy-like bars, I have been liking them lately. Tastes change and seriously mine have been the past year or so!
i grew up watching my dad eat turtles. It was one of his favorite candies and still is. Would so enjoy making him homemade versions. thanks
Awesome story :)
These look beautiful and delicious! I also thought this would be perfect for the holiday gift-giving season – glad somebody was thinking that far ahead too :)
I don’t have to wait until Xmas to eat chocolate and caramel – that’s a year round thing FOR SURE :)
My husband LOVES Turtles, so I will definitely have to try these. They look great!
I love turtles too, Averie! It reminds me of the candy that my grandparents like from Fanny May. These little beauties look so delicious and caramel-y!
My grandma’s both used to have Fanny May candy around all the time!
I’ve only ever had Fanny May turtles, so maybe it’s time to give homemade a try!
Homemade is SO good!
These look too easy and too good–but worth a few extra miles! If I had time I’d make some for our office party today…I’m going with the 3 cheese baked salsa dip so I’ll report back later!
Oh yay, LMK how the dip goes over! And yes, the Turtles are a little too easy :)
These look much better than Turtles. You added sea salt! Case closed.
I would definitely hoard these. Dangerously amazing!
Thanks, Mir!
My mom loves turtles so I think I should make her a batch of these next time she comes for a visit.
I don’t delete my old posts either, and wow, some of my old photos are cringe-worthy. It’s great to see that I’ve learned a thing or two through the years, though. :) You most definitely have come a long way Averie–your photographs are always stunning.
Oh they weren’t and aren’t always stunning, but thank you! I feel bad deleting a piece of history and a part of me and the blog. Because once upon a time that post meant something so hey, I leave it up :)
I was supposed to paint my bathroom today. Now I’m thinking I’ll make these instead…
That’s like saying should I make cookies or go to the dentist. Umm, yeah, chocolate trumps paint :)
I’m a huge fan of sees nuts and chews so these
Turtles are calling my name. I’m not sure
It’s a good thing for me to know I can
make these at home… could be dangerous!!!
I cannot even buy the Sees Nuts & Chews unless I have time for extra cardio because I love those things SO MUCH. Like honestly, that’s my #1 candy in the whole world! The walnut chews, the pecan cluster thing-eys that look like these Turtles, oh boy. I have to go to the mall in the next day or two and I have to walk by there. Give me strength :)
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a turtle before… That will have to be remedied! Especially because I already have homemade salted caramel sauce in my fridge :) Thanks Averie!
You’ve never had a Turtle? Well you better get on that :)