Chocolate Candy Turtle Recipe - Easy Pecan Clusters! (2024)

Created By:Heather on November 9, 2023 | Updated: November 9, 2023

A lazy way to make homemade turtles with only 3 ingredients and using your microwave!These homemade chocolate turtle candies are an easy Christmas treat to make! With chewy caramel, whole pecans, and sweet chocolate – these delicious turtles are just like your favorite treat from a candy shop but a whole lot cheaper!

Dessert could seriously not get easier and let’s face it cuter then with these 3 ingredient dark chocolate turtles.

If you unfamiliar with turtles- they are pecans, caramel drizzled over them, and the chocolate over that. You use 5 pecan halves to make the candies look like turtles in the end. So basically, adorable and scrumptious.

And the best part to these turtle pecan clusters? They are made in the microwave. Yup, microwave. No oven required. No fancy caramel sauce on the stove. Although you totally could go that route if you are feeling that way. However, I use soft caramel candies that I microwaved beautifully in my microwave. So we’re talking dessert in 10 minutes flat. I’m all about that.

Crunchy Pecans. Gooey caramel. Rich chocolate. This homemade chocolate turtles recipe is going to be a big hit for the holiday season!

Why Is Turtle Candy Called A Turtle?

The turtle candy is actually named a turtle because of the arrangement of the pecans.

The nuts stick out from underneath the chocolate making people be reminded of a turtle…

See Also:

• These chocolate S’mores cupcakes have a graham cracker bottom, easy chocolate cupcake recipe, topped with a toasted marshmallow frosting!
• If you’re looking for an easy chocolate dessert to serve, then try making homemade chocolate covered Oreos!
• Calling all coconut lovers with these easy coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate! They are must make cookie!

Ingredients Needed

These pecan turtles couldn’t be easier. Seriously just 3 ingredients…

• Pecans– You want to use pecan halves. I like to toast the pecans first before hand to bring out their flavor.
• Caramel– I used soft caramels that I melted in the microwave but you can also use homemade caramel or caramel bits
• Chocolate– You can use milk or dark chocolate or a combination of chocolate!

Related: You might also like the rest of these5 Ingredient Desserts

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How To Make Homemade Turtles – Step By Step

Step 1: Arrange your pecan halves

I like to toast the pecan halves first to bring out their flavor. Toast pecan halves on a large baking sheet then cool. You can keep them whole after roasting, or chop them finally to make these homemade chocolate turtles.

If keeping whole, arrange your pecan halves- 5 for each turtle- on a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2: Caramel

Melt the caramels in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between interval until melted. This took about 1 and 1/2 minutes in my microwave. Spoon about a tablespoon of the melted caramel on top of each turtle.

You can also melt the caramel in a double boiler.

Step 3: Add chocolate

Melt the chocolate chips. You can also use chopped chocolate. Use milk chocolate, semisweet, or dark chocolate. Melt in your microwave or in a double boiler.

Spoon about a tablespoon of melted chocolate on top of the caramel.

Top with a sprinkle of sea salt or fleur de sel if you desire. Let the turtles set up and the chocolate and caramel set before enjoying! I like to place in the fridge or freeze until the caramel gets firm and is no longer sticky.

Recipe Tips

• Melt Carefully: When melting the caramel and chocolate in the microwave you want to make sure that you microwave in 30 second intervals so it doesn’t burn. Especially for the chocolate! The chocolate may look still not melted, but give it a stir before popping it back into the microwave. Melting your chocolate in the microwave is just one method. You could also use a double boiler or achocolate melting pot. I cover all of this inhow to dip candy and trufflespost.
• Use Quality Chocolate:Chocolate is 1 of the 3 ingredients. So it’s important you buy a quality chocolate you wouldn’t mind snacking on. I used Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips. But you could semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate too.
• Use A Silicone Baking Mat: I find thesilicone baking matsare best when making candy. You won’t have an issue with sticking if you do. Just make sure your silicone baking mat is clean.You can learn how to clean your silicone baking mat here.

Recipe Variations

• Chocolate– Instead of dark chocolate, use white chocolate instead!
• Chopped pecans– Instead of pecan halves, chop the pecans and pile in small clusters before adding the spoonful of caramel and chocolate.

Recipe FAQs

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