Homemade chocolate pecan turtle clusters recipe is one of the easiest recipes to make, and you only need three ingredients.
The rich-flavored candy is ready in less than one hour and is the perfect gift for friends and family.
A Favorite Chocolate Candy
Turtle candy is definitely one of my favorite candies, especially around the holidays. It’s easy to make, and you don’t need a candy thermometer.
Toasted pecans, melted caramel, and drizzled milk chocolate call out my name (probably too often).
The combination of the three ingredients creates a fantastic candy dessert that is easy to store and share (if you don’t eat them all first).
Plus, delicious homemade candies are always great for the holidays. They make great gifts and are perfect for parties.
The chocolate pecan turtle clusters recipe is also one of the more fun sweet treats to make.
I usually stock up on pecans, chocolate chips, and caramel around the holidays because I end up making so many desserts that include these ingredients.
My youngest son loves to make candy apples in the fall, so we stock up on caramel pretty early.
If you purchase turtles, they will, of course, be delicious but usually very expensive. Making homemade turtles is more economical and fresher.
What Ingredients Do I Need For The Turtle Candy Recipe?
- Pecan halves
- Wrapped caramels
- Milk Chocolate Chips
Watch How To Make Homemade Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters
How Do I Make The Homemade Turtle Candy?
- Place the pecan halves on a large cookie sheet, on top of parchment paper, and toast for about ten minutes in the oven.
- Once the pecans have cooled, place them in small groups of about six pecans on your cookie sheet.
- Melt the caramels in the microwave for about one to one and a half minutes.
- Drizzle the caramel over the groups of pecans.
- Next, melt the milk chocolate chips in the microwave for about one to one and a half minutes and drizzle over the top of the caramel.
- Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate and caramel harden.
How To Make Turtle Candy
Start by spreading your pecan halves out in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Toast the pecan clusters for about 10 minutes and then allow them to cool.
Once the pecans cool, place them into groups of six or seven pecans.
Parchment paper works great for this recipe because the caramel doesn’t stick to the paper, and you won’t have a big mess to clean up when you’re done.
Next, unwrap 35 caramels and place them into a microwave-safe bowl.
For this recipe, I used the pre-made soft caramels that I bought at the grocery store and melted them.
You can also make homemade caramel sauce for this recipe. All you need is some sugar, heavy cream, and a couple more ingredients.
Amy, over at Belly Full has a great homemade caramel recipe.
Microwave the caramels for about one to one and a half minutes. Keep an eye on the caramels, so they don’t boil.
The caramels might not all be melted after the time in the microwave. Stir until the caramels are completely melted.
Take a spoon and drizzle the caramel over the top of the little clusters of pecans, making sure you get the caramel on each pecan, which will help hold them together.
Next, add the milk chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for about one to one and a half minutes and stir to melt.
Take another spoon and drizzle a layer of chocolate over the top of the caramel.
Using an entire bag of chocolate chips will give you plenty of chocolate, so feel free to cover a lot of the caramel and pecans.
If you have enough room, place the turtle candy in your refrigerator while still on the cookie sheet until the chocolate hardens.
If you don’t have enough room in the fridge, just leave them out on the counter at room temperature until the chocolate hardens.
The caramel will harden fairly fast.
If you’d like to give the pecan turtles away as a gift, line a metal can with parchment paper and add some turtles.
The dollar stores usually have cute holiday tins that are very inexpensive and perfect for gift giving.
If you’re a real fan of sweets, these will be right up your alley!
How To Store The Chocolate Turtles
You can store the chocolate turtle clusters in an airtight container or cover them with some saran wrap. The clusters do not need to be refrigerated.
Other holiday candy recipes you’ll love:
- Divinity candy is a wonderful treat around the holidays.
- Rock candy is fun and easy to make and always turns out so colorful.
- Old fashioned fudge with real peanut butter is a must-have each Thanksgiving and Christmas.
FAQs
What Is In A Turtle Pecan Cluster?
Three simple ingredients are in turtle pecan clusters. Chocolate, caramel, and pecans are the ingredients in the cluster.
The combination of rich chocolate, chewy caramel, and salty pecans make this one of those great recipes with the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Can I Use Other Types Of Chocolate?
Yes, you can use dark chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch chips, or even peanut butter chips in place of the milk chocolate for this recipe.
Are Pecan Delights The Same As Turtles?
Pecan delights, and turtles are very similar, but the delights have a few more ingredients. Although, the delights also have caramel, chocolate, and pecans.
What Is The Difference Between Turtles And Pralines?
Pralines are similar to turtles, but the sugar is cooked along with a few other ingredients in the praline pecans, creating a crunchy pecan candy.
Homemade Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters Recipe Card
Homemade chocolate pecan turtle clusters are the perfect little treat. They are easy to make and are great gifts.
Be sure to get the recipe below and get started today, and let me know what’s your favorite part of this yummy snack!
Turtle Candy Recipe
Yield: 20
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Turtle candy is one of the easiest recipes to make and you only need three ingredients for this holiday favorite. The rich-flavored candy is ready in less than one hour and is the perfect gift for friends and family.
Ingredients
- 35 caramels
- 12 ounces of milk chocolate chips
- 8 ounces of toasted pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place the pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and toast for about 10 minutes.
- Allow the pecans to cool. Once they are cool, place them in piles of six or seven pecans.
- Unwrap the caramels and add them to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about one to one and a half minutes. Stir to completely melt. (They are VERY hot).
- Take a spoon and drizzle the caramel over the pecans, making sure to get caramel on each pecan to hold them together.
- Next, add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and melt for about one to one and a half minutes. Stir to help finish melting.
- Drizzle over the caramel with a spoon.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate hardens.
Notes
Make sure you use a microwave safe bowl.
Keep the chocolate turtle clusters in an airtight container, Ziplock bag, or cover with plastic wrap when storing them.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 237Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g
Nutrition is approximate.
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Julie Pollitt( Blogger Behind Back To My Southern Roots )
Hi there! I’m Julie Pollitt from ‘Back To My Southern Roots.’ My love for cooking started way back on my grandparents’ farm in Tennessee. Those sunny days, the smell of biscuits in the oven, and all the family fun really sparked my passion for cooking. On my blog, I share more than just recipes – they’re like stories from my life, full of Southern warmth and homey goodness. The best part? Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a kitchen pro, you’ll find my recipes super easy to whip up. So, come on, pull up a chair, and let’s make some delicious memories!
