5 from 39 votes
Easy Chocolate Turtles
Easy Chocolate Turtles are bite-sized treats made by stuffing Medjool dates with pecan halves arranged in a cross shape, topped with melted dark chocolate and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. The combination results in a chewy, nutty, and subtly sweet confection with crunchy pecan textures that resemble little turtles. These are chilled until the chocolate firms, making them a neat and manageable dessert or snack option.
Prep Time
15 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
12
Calories:
98 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Vegan
Ingredients
- 6 Medjool dates large, squishy
- 54 pecan halves (about 1 scant cup)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips , melted
- sea salt flaky
Instructions
- Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet (use one that will fit in your freezer) and split the dates in half, removing the pits. Arrange them on the baking sheet. This recipe works best if your dates are soft and squishy, but if the dates feel dry, you can soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before getting started.
- Top each date half with 4 pecan halves, making the shape of an "X" on top. Press the pecans into the dates, so they'll stick in place.
- Use a spoon to drizzle about a teaspoon of melted chocolate over the middle of the pecans, making a shell on top. Make sure the pecan legs are still sticking out of the chocolate to create the "turtle" look.
- Cut 6 pecan halves in half, cross-wise, to create smaller turtle "heads." Place one half on each of the 12 turtles that have been coated in chocolate. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt on top, the place the pan in the freezer to set until the chocolate is firm, about 10 minutes.
- Serve the chocolate turtles right away, or transfer them to an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to a week. You can serve them chilled for a crunchy texture, or let them come to room temperature again for a softer consistency.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before assembling to ensure softness.
- Use dark chocolate chips labeled dairy-free if you prefer a vegan option.
- For a quicker preparation, place one pecan half on each date half before drizzling the chocolate, skipping the turtle design.
- Store the turtles in the freezer until serving to keep the chocolate firm and maintain shape.
Nutrition Information
Calories
98kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
1mg
(0%)
Sodium
8mg
(0%)
Potassium
145mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
18IU
(0%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 98
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 98kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 8mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 145mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 18IU | 0% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.