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    Home » Recent Posts » Sweet Treats

    Easy, Four Ingredient Chocolate Pecan Turtles

    Published: Aug 5, 2020 · Updated: Dec 6, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Pecan Turtles

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Whether for yourself or to give as a gift, homemade chocolate pecan turtles are a delicious treat that comes together quickly and is super easy to make.

    Chocolate Pecan Turtle Candies
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Pecan Turtles
    • Recipe Tips
    • Other Homemade Gift Ideas
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • Don't Miss These Sweet Treats
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Four Ingredient Pecan Turtles

    With their gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, rich chocolate, pecan turtles have always been one of my favorite candies. They’re my top pick in any chocolate shop and great to make and give at Christmas time. 

    We’re taking a shortcut with these candies, leaving out the make-your-own caramel part. Why deal with corn syrup, heavy cream or a candy thermometer and make your own caramel when you can cut out the hardest part and buy caramels at the store?

    This chocolate turtles recipe is super easy, yet still creates delicious, homemade candies. (Really want to make your own homemade caramel? Try these Salted Maple Whiskey Caramels from my friend Gina at Intentional Hospitality.)

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for Turtle Candies
    • Store-bought caramels 
    • Pecan halves 
    • Chocolate chips
    • Coconut oil

    How to Make Pecan Turtles

    Heat oven to 225 degrees. 

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner mat. 

    Unwrap caramels and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. 

    Place in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the caramels are softened and starting to melt. 

    Remove caramels from the oven. While they’re still hot, carefully press 4 pecan halves into each caramel.

    Caramel and pecans

    Set aside. 

    In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. 

    A bowl of chocolate chips and coconut oil.

    Melt chocolate chips by microwaving the chocolate in 20 second intervals, stirring after each interval, for a total of 80 seconds.

    Melted chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl.

    Stir chocolate chips until smooth.

    Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of melted chocolate over each of the caramel pecan clusters. Create a little swirl on the top of the chocolate with the tip of your spoon as you finish the chocolate on each cluster. 

    Chocolate spread onto caramel and pecans.

    Set aside and allow chocolate to set/solidify. This will take 2-3 hours at room temperature, depending on the heat and humidity in your house. 

    Carefully remove from parchment paper and store in an airtight container lined with a layer of parchment for up to 5 days.

    Chocolate Pecan Turtles on a platter.

    Recipe Tips

    • Use fresh, soft caramels for this recipe. The caramels will retain the softness they have in the package, so consider this when purchasing caramels for this recipe. I usually use Kraft caramel squares, but they aren’t as soft as others and give my candies a chewy caramel texture. No matter what brand of caramels you pick, don’t use caramels that have been hanging out in your pantry for 6+ months. They’ll be way too hard for this recipe. 
    • After you’ve spooned on the chocolate, sprinkle a little coarse sea salt on top of the candies for a delicious variation. 
    • If you’re in a hurry, you can place the turtles in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set faster. Bring them back to room temperature before serving, storing, or enjoying. 
    • Homemade chocolate turtles make great gifts for the chocolate lover on your list. Packaging them in small treat boxes or tins makes them feel extra special.
    Pecan turtles in a small box.

    Other Homemade Gift Ideas

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    Peppermint Bark

    FAQs and Substitutions

    Do I have to use coconut oil?

    The coconut oil is optional, but will make the chocolate come out nice and shiny. If you don't have coconut oil on hand, you can leave it out or substitute unflavored vegetable shortening for the coconut oil.

    What kind of chocolate chips should I use?

    You can use any combination of chocolate chips in this recipe. Using all semi-sweet chocolate chips will create a dark chocolate turtle. A combination of milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips is also nice for these pecan turtles. 

    What can I use besides pecans? 

    If you don’t like pecans, try whole cashews or large pieces of walnuts instead.

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    Print the Recipe Card

    Print

    Four Ingredient Pecan Turtles

    4 Ingredient Pecan Turtles.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Whether for yourself or to give as a gift, classic pecan turtle candies are a delicious treat that comes together quickly and is super easy to make.

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Set Time: 3 hours
    • Cook Time: 5 min
    • Total Time: 3 hours, 15 mins
    • Yield: 12 candies 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 12 caramels
    • 48 pecan halves
    • 1 cup chocolate chips
    • 1 Tbsp coconut oil

    Instructions

    Heat oven to 225 degrees. 

    Line a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

    Unwrap caramels and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. 

    Place in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the caramels are softened and starting to melt. 

    Remove caramels from the oven. While they’re still hot, carefully press 4 pecan halves into each caramel. Set aside to cool. 

    In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil (if using). 

    Microwave chocolate for 80 seconds, pausing and stirring every 15 seconds. 

    Stir chocolate chips until smooth. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of melted chocolate over each caramel/pecan cluster. Make a small swirl on the top of each chocolate with your spoon. 

    Set aside and allow chocolate to set/solidify. This will take 2-3 hours, depending on the heat and humidity in your house. 

    Carefully remove from parchment paper and store in an airtight container lined with a layer of parchment for up to 5 days.

    Equipment

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    Keywords: dessert, caramel, chocolate, turtles, candy, candies, hostess gift, diy gift giving, treats, sweets

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

    Sweet Treats

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    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 150

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    1. matt stewart

      December 18, 2022 at 11:12 pm

      Would it easier and faster to use the Ghardeli melting chocolate wafers? I have melted them and used on almond biscotti.

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy

        December 19, 2022 at 11:18 am

        I use the Ghirardelli chocolate wafers interchangeably with the chocolate chips for this recipe. Both will get you the same result of delicious chocolate to coat the caramel and pecans.

        Reply

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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