Easy Homemade Turtles Candy Recipe
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4.8
76 reviews
Excellent
Easy Homemade Turtles Candy Recipe
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Easy Homemade Turtles Candy combines toasted pecan halves with soft caramel and milk chocolate, optionally topped with flaky Maldon salt. The pecans provide a toasty crunch, while the caramel melts smoothly over the nuts. A drizzle of chocolate finishes the clusters for a classic turtle candy with contrasting textures and sweet, nutty flavor.
Description
This homemade turtles candy recipe starts by toasting whole pecan halves until fragrant and warm, enhancing their natural nuttiness. The pecans are arranged in clusters on parchment-lined baking sheets. Caramel candies are melted with evaporated milk to a smooth consistency and spooned over the pecans, binding them together.
Once the caramel sets slightly, milk chocolate chips mixed with coconut oil are melted and spooned over the caramel-pecan clusters, finishing the candies with a glossy chocolate coating. Optional flaky Maldon salt adds a balancing salt note and visual appeal.
The candies can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks or frozen for longer storage. Freezing and thawing before dipping can help fully coat turtles. Variations include using different nuts or chopped pretzels to accommodate preferences or allergies.
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups pecans whole halves
- 1 (11-ounce) package caramel candies unwrapped (about 55 caramels, soft
- 3 Tablespoons evaporated milk half-and-half, or cream
- 1 (11.5-ounce) package milk chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil or shortening
- maldon salt for decorating (optional, flaky
Instructions
- Start by toasting the pecans on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or on the stovetop over medium heat stirring the pecans occasionally for 3-5 minutes until slightly darkened and the nuts start to smell fragrant and warm. Be careful not to burn them. Let the pecans cool before handling.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray, then arrange clusters of 3-5 pecans spaced apart slightly from each other for each turtle. Alternately, you can chop your pecans and make small piles of about 1 tablespoon each of the chopped pecans. Consider reserving a handful of whole pecan halves for decorating the tops of each turtle.
- In a medium bowl, combine the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk, half-and-half, or cream. Microwave in 20-second bursts of heat, stirring between each interval, until melted and smooth. At first it won't look like it's working, but after 2-3 minutes the caramels will melt smoothly. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of the warm caramel over the pecan clusters, trying to make sure it touches all of the nuts to hold them together.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a medium bowl by microwaving with 20-second bursts of heat again. Stir between each interval, stopping when the chocolate is almost fully melted but not completely so you don't overheat the chocolate. Continue to stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of melted chocolate over each cluster of caramel and nuts, swirling the top with the back of your spoon for a decorative finish.
- If desired, press a whole toasted pecan in the top of the chocolate or sprinkle with some flaky Maldon salt before the chocolate has a chance to firm up. Let the candy set until the chocolate firms up completely before removing the turtles from the parchment paper. If the caramel is sticking to the parchment paper too much, try sticking them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and the caramel should release easily after that.
Notes
- Store turtles in an airtight container or refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks with parchment between layers.
- Freeze turtles for 2-3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Use various caramel brands like Kraft, Peter's, or Werther's; homemade caramel recipes can substitute.
- Milk chocolate chips can be replaced with quality chocolate bars; chopping works well.
- To toast pecans on stovetop, stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant without burning.
- For fully coated turtles, freeze caramel-pecan clusters before dipping in melted chocolate.
- Substitute pecans with other nuts or chopped pretzels for nut allergies.
Nutrition Information
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Calories
159kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
3mg
(1%)
Sodium
36mg
(2%)
Potassium
74mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
14IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
28mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24-30 turtles
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 159kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 3mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 36mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 74mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 14IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
76 reviews
Excellent
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