Homemade Turtles
Fast, easy, no-bake and just 4 ingredients! Chewy, gooey, salty-and-sweet! Homemade always tastes better! Yum!! đđ
Servings: 30
Calories: 308cal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pecan halves I used roasted, lightly salted
- 25 caramel squares unwrapped (about 1 heaping cup)
- Âź 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 Joeâs Pound Plus bars)
- sea salt optional for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets or large platters with parchment paper. Itâs 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 doesnât 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 donât 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
**Notes on melting the caramel: The first few times, stirring is almost futile but eventually the caramels soften enough to be stirred smooth. Take your time, donât overheat or heat too quickly, and keep stirring; it will come together. If the mixture seems thick and needs more cream, add the remaining amount. I used 1/4 cup total and have made the recipe with both Kraft brand caramels and Wertherâs Baking Caramels, but caramels vary and you may need less cream than I did. The caramel is runny and loose when it first comes together, but firms up quite a bit as it cools.Â
Storage: Turtles will keep airtight at room temperature for weeks, or in the fridge or freezer for many months.Â
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 308cal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 103mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g
