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Learn how to make these delicious Chocolate Homemade Turtles with creamy caramel and pecans. They are so easy and make a great gift idea. Easy to follow Homemade Turtles Recipe.
HOMEMADETURTLE RECIPE
Today I am sharing our Homemade Turtles Recipewith you. I don’t know about you, but this Turtle Pecan Christmas Candy Recipe is one of my favorites. They are so easy to make and can be made right at home! We don’t make them very often because we like to make them at Christmas time as a family tradition.
Do you have special recipes that you only make for the holidays?
I love the holidays for many reasons. But I think the most compelling reason is the time we are able to spend with my family and friends making memories. On a typical holiday, my family tends to gather together in the kitchen sharing our favorite memories and enjoying our favorite family recipes. These Homemade Turtles are one of my very favorites!
HOW DID HOMEMADE TURTLES GET THEIR NAME?
Turtles candies are bite-sized candies made up of pecan halves, caramel, and chocolate. They are named as such because when you pile the chocolate and caramel on top of the pecans, it kind of looks like the shell of a little turtle! They can also go by the name of pixies or bear claws (usually made with peanuts). But no matter what you call them…they are delicious!
HOMEMADE TURTLES FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
These Homemade Turtles are fancy enough that they make a great Christmas gifts too! Wrap them up in a pretty package and your friends and family are going to look forward to them every year. And…the best part is they look harder to make then they really are!
WHAT TYPE OF CHOCOLATE SHOULD I USE?
I love using milk chocolate to make these homemade turtles. But you can use your favorite chocolate. I recommend the following:
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE TURTLE CANDY
If you think you will eat the pecan turtles within the next two weeks or so, the best way to store it is at room temperature in an air-tight container. Use a self-sealing bag or plastic container and put it in a cool, dark place. Can be stored in the freezer or the fridge for a longer storage time.
CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE TURTLES?
These freeze beautifully for at least 2-3 months in an airtight container. Just let them thaw on the counter for 30-60 minutes to warm up slowly.
TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE TURTLES
Here are some tips and rules to follow when making this turtle candy recipe. This can ensure you get great results every time you make it.
- Make sure you have fresh pecans (other nuts will work too if you are not a huge fan of pecans) and making sure they are roasted and lightly salted. You can do that yourself on the stove if you can not find any.
- Make sure you have a great melting chocolate. I love using the professional melting chocolates if you can find a good quality one, or Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Chips work great too!
- Quality caramels are a must. If I am in a hurry, I will melt down store bought caramels. But, if you have time, Homemade Caramel is always a great option. You can try our Homemade Caramelrecipehere. If you do go with the Homemade Caramel you will probably not need to add any half and half to thin out the caramel when melting them. You may have to experiment with a batch to get the perfect combination if you use different types.
HOMEMADE TURTLE INGREDIENTS
- pecan halves
- caramel sauce (my recipehere) or 25 caramel squares
- cream or half-and-half
- milk chocolate
- sea salt or flake salt(optional)
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TURTLES
Instructions
Line two baking sheets or large platters with parchment paper.
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.
Add a dollop of the homemade caramel sauce from this recipe here and skip down to #5. Or, In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels, half of the cream (reserve the remainder), and heat on high power to melt. Heating in 30 second intervals so they do not burn.
The caramel is runny and loose when it first comes together, but firms up quite a bit as it cools. If the mixture seems thick and needs more cream, add the remaining amount. Alternatively, you can melt caramels on the stove over low heat, using caution and stirring frequently.
Add about 1 tablespoon caramel to the top of each pecan pile; set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30 second intervals as well. Or melt chocolate in a double broiler over medium heat on the stove.
Add about 2 tablespoons chocolate to the top of each pecan cluster smoothing it over the middle and letting it run around the edges.
Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the turtles if desired. Allow Turtles to firm up at room temp or in the fridge or freezer before serving.
HOMEMADE TURTLE CANDY RECIPE
Here is the recipe for our favorite Homemade Chocolate Turtles!
3.34 from 6 votes
Homemade Turtle Recipe
One of my favorite Christmas Candy Recipes is this Homemade Turtle Candy. They are so easy to make and can be made right at home!
KeywordCandy, Christmas Candy, Homemade Turtle Candy, Turtle Candy Recipe
Servings 24 turtles
Calories 96 kcal
Author Amy
Ingredients
- 8ouncespecan halfsroasted, lightly salted
- 25eachcaramel squaresunwrapped
- 1/4cupcream or half-and-halfdivided
- 16ouncesmilk chocolatemelted
- 1dashsea saltoptional for sprinkling
Instructions
Line two baking sheets or large platters with parchment paper.
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.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels, half of the cream (reserve the remainder), and heat on high power to melt. Heating in 30 second intervals so they do not burn.
The caramel is runny and loose when it first comes together, but firms up quite a bit as it cools. If the mixture seems thick and needs more cream, add the remaining amount.
Alternatively, you can melt caramels on the stove over low heat, using caution and stirring frequently.Add about 1 tablespoon caramel to the top of each pecan pile; set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30 second intervals as well.
Add about 2 tablespoons chocolate to the top of each pecan cluster smoothing it over the middle and letting it run around the edges.
Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the turtles if desired.
Allow Turtles to firm up at room temp or in the fridge or freezer before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Turtle Recipe
Amount Per Serving (24 g)
Calories 96Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Sodium 5mg0%
Potassium 55mg2%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 1g2%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
CANDY MAKING SUPPLIES
- Candy thermometer
- Pastry brush
- Wooden spoon
- Large bowl
- Saucepan
- 9 x 13 Dish
- Hot Pads
- Parchment Paper
- Double broiler
- Silicon baking mats
MORE HOMEMADE CANDY RECIPES
- 6 Minute Caramels
- Homemade Toffee
- Truffles
- Old Fashioned Divinity
- Pretzel Rolos
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Chocolate Dream Balls
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites
- Chocolate Covered Bear Paws
- Fudge Recipe
- Chocolate Covered Coconut Bites
CHRISTMAS RECIPE EBOOKS
You might be interested in some of my other treats found in my Homemade Candy Recipes and Holiday Cookie Recipe ebooks and my Holiday Recipe Binder. You can check them out by clicking on the button below.
*As always, these printable labels are for your personal use only. Please do not repost them or sell them on your sites or craft fairs, etc. This is how I am able to continue to share free content with you.
Did you like this recipe? I would love for you to pin it and share it with your friends! Thanks! xo
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