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4.4 from 357 votes

Homemade Turtles

Fast, easy, no-bake and just 4 ingredients! Chewy, gooey, salty-and-sweet! Homemade always tastes better! Yum!! 😋🙌

Prep Time
20 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 30
Calories: 308 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pecan halves I used roasted, lightly salted
  • 25 caramel squares unwrapped (about 1 heaping cup)
  • ¼ cup cream or half-and-half divided
  • about 16 ounces roughly chopped chocolate melted (I used 8 ounces dark and 8 ounces milk, both Trader Joe’s Pound Plus bars)
  • sea salt optional for sprinkling

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line two baking sheets or large platters with parchment paper. It’s helpful if they will fit in either fridge or freezer.
  2. Make small piles of pecans, using 5 to 6 pieces per pile. Overlap the pecans some to reduce gaps so the caramel doesn’t seep through.
  3. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels, half of the cream (reserve the remainder), and heat on high power to melt. It will probably take about 3 to 4 minutes total, but you must stop and stir the mixture every 30 seconds so you don’t burn it. Alternatively, you can melt caramels on the stove over low heat, using caution and stirring frequently. **(see notes below on melting the caramels)
  4. Add about 1 tablespoon caramel to the top of each pecan pile; set aside.
  5. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add 8 ounces chocolate and heat to melt, about 1 minute on high power. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate can be stirred smooth. I prefer working in smaller batches with chocolate and recommend doing the same and not heating all 16 ounces at once; melt additional chocolate as necessary.
  6. Add about 2 tablespoons chocolate to the top of each pecan cluster by dolloping it on top and letting it fall down the sides.
  7. Optionally add a pinch of sea salt to each Turtle.
  8. Allow Turtles to firm up at room temp (will take many hours) or in the fridge or freezer (about 15 minutes) before serving.

Notes

  • **Notes on melting the caramel: The first few times, stirring is almost futile but eventually the caramels soften enough to be stirred smooth. Take your time, don’t overheat or heat too quickly, and keep stirring; it will come together. If the mixture seems thick and needs more cream, add the remaining amount. I used 1/4 cup total and have made the recipe with both Kraft brand caramels and Werther’s Baking Caramels, but caramels vary and you may need less cream than I did. The caramel is runny and loose when it first comes together, but firms up quite a bit as it cools. 
  • Storage: Turtles will keep airtight at room temperature for weeks, or in the fridge or freezer for many months. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 308kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 10g Cholesterol 28mg (9%) Sodium 103mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 22g (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 308

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 308kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g 59%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 103mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 22g 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.