5.0 from 69 votes
Homemade Chocolate Turtles with Bacon Recipe
If you like Turtles, the iconic Christmas treat, then you will LOVE these homemade chocolate turtles with bacon. They are made with crunchy pecans coated in caramel and then topped with crispy bacon and dark chocolate. They're ideal on a holiday dessert tray and make excellent gifts!
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 24 turtles
Calories: 320 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
North American
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cups brown sugar
- ½ tin condensed milk
- 5 ounces pecan halves
- ½ lb Bacon cooked crispy
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
For the caramel
- Add the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and condensed milk to a heavy-bottomed saucepan with high sides. Start with the heat on high until it is boiling, and then reduce the heat to medium. Stir constantly for approximately 15 minutes, or until the caramel reaches 235 degrees Fahrenheit. One way to test this is to drop a bit of the caramel into cold water. If it forms a soft ball, then it is ready. This is known as the 'soft ball stage'. Let the caramel cool for about an hour. It should still be warm but not hot.
Cup of Yum
Assemble the turtles
- Arrange pecans to resemble turtles – one for the head and two for the feet – on parchment paper. Roll small balls of the caramel and place in the center of the pecans, squishing gently into place. Cover the caramel with a piece of cooked bacon. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
For the chocolate
- Gently melt chocolate and butter over low heat until just melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Hold the turtle by the head and spoon the chocolate over top. Place the turtles back onto the parchment paper and sprinkle lightly with medium course sea salt. Put them back into the fridge to harden the chocolate.
Notes
- These little guys freeze really well. And they make perfect gifts, too
- You can use quite a bit of caramel on each turtle. If you have any caramel leftover, form it into little squares and enjoy it as candy!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 turtle
Calories
320kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
26g
(9%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
24mg
(8%)
Sodium
127mg
(5%)
Potassium
175mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
23g
(46%)
Vitamin A
200IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
50mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24turtles
Amount Per Serving
Calories 320
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 turtle | |
| Calories | 320kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 127mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 175mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
| Vitamin A | 200IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 50mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.