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Peanut Butter Pecan Turtle Candy

These homemade turtles are an absolute dream for anyone who enjoys the combination of peanut butter and chocolate! Easy to make and so fun for holiday gifts!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 21 mins
Servings: 12 Turtles
Calories: 297 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer:
  • ½ cup creamy unsweetened peanut butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar *
  • 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil or melted butter, or avocado oil
Chocolate Coating:
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips **
  • 2 tsp coconut oil or 1 Tbsp butter
Pecan Turtles:
  • 60 pecan halves 5 pecans per turtle
  • coarse sea salt optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. If you don't have either, don't panic. The homemade turtle candies shouldn't do much sticking so you can go without a paper liner if need be.
  2. Add the ingredients peanut butter, powdered sugar, and coconut oil to a small bowl and mix until a thick moldable peanut butter dough forms. If your peanut butter isn’t at room temperature because it has been chilling in the refrigerator, microwave it for 30 seconds, or until it becomes easy to stir. Note: if you have a stand mixer, it is easiest to use a stand mixer rather than mixing the peanut butter and sugar by hand.
  3. Arrange 5 raw pecan halves in the shape of a turtle on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining pecans, keeping the turtle pecan clusters in a single layer. Shape about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the peanut butter mixture into an oval/shell shape and press it onto the pecans. Be sure to press the pecans into the peanut butter firmly so that they stay put. Place the turtle back on the baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining peanut butter and pecans.
  4. Transfer the chocolate chips and coconut oil (or butter) to a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30 second intervals, stirring very well in between each interval, until the chocolate is melted (about 1 to 1.5 minutes total). There is no need to microwave the chocolate to a very runny consistency. The goal is for the chocolate mixture to be fairly thick and spoonable but not too runny. If you need to allow the chocolate to cool off for a few minutes until it thickens a little, feel free to do so.
  5. Drizzle about one tablespoon of melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer, forming a chocolate turtle shell. If desired, decorate the shell with additional pecans or a sprinkle of sea salt.
  6. Place the whole baking sheet in the refrigerator or freezer and chill until set up, about 2 hours.
  7. Serve, and enjoy!

Notes

  • *For a lower sugar, refined sugar-free option, use 5 tablespoons of coconut sugar instead of powdered sugar and omit the oil. After mixing, refrigerate for 15 minutes. This mixture will be gooey so I recommend freezing the turtles after preparing them to get them to set up.
  • **Use dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan option (and use coconut oil instead of butter for the chocolate coating and the peanut butter mixture).
  • **Use dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan option (and use coconut oil instead of butter for the chocolate coating and the peanut butter mixture).
  • Store pecan turtle candy in an airtight container or in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 
  • Store pecan turtle candy in an airtight container or in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 
  • If you have leftover chocolate, use it for drizzling on ice cream for a chocolate magic shell.
  • If you have leftover chocolate, use it for drizzling on ice cream for a chocolate magic shell.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Turtle Calories 297kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Cholesterol 5mg (2%) Sodium 64mg (3%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 25g (50%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Turtles

Amount Per Serving

Calories 297

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Turtle
Calories 297kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 64mg 3%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 25g 50%

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