Chocolate Turtles

This Chocolate Turtles recipe requires just 4 ingredients and can be made quickly using only your microwave.

Homemade candy is so easy to prepare using pecan clusters that are covered in caramel and melted chocolate–no baking or candy thermometer needed!

Turtle Chocolate Candy

Making homemade Turtles Candy is so simple and costs a fraction of the price of pecan turtles from a fancy chocolatier or your local chocolate store.

This easy-to-make chocolate turtle candy includes mini piles of crunchy pecans that are coated in chewy caramel and topped with melted milk chocolate and a sprinkle of salt.

Deliciously decadent with the right ratio of salty and sweet, this candy confection is meant to be rustic-looking, so don’t worry about keeping your chocolate caramel turtles round!

Why are these candies called chocolate turtles?

These candies received their name because they look like little turtles with chocolate shells when you pile the chocolate and caramel on top of the pecans.

Why we love this Chocolate Turtle Recipe

Quick and easy to make using only the microwave.
Only uses 4 ingredients to create the classic chocolate-covered turtles.
Fun candy-making activity for kids and adults alike.
Creamy, crisp, and chewy texture with a salty and sweet taste.
Making your own chocolate pecan turtles at home saves both time and money.
Great for edible gift-giving, homemade hostess presents, and holiday candy trays.

Other Homemade Candy Recipes

INGREDIENTS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE

Pecans
Caramel squares: Make sure you buy soft, individually wrapped caramel candies (not hard caramels). Both Kraft brand caramels and Werther’s Baking Caramels work well.
Heavy cream
Milk chocolate
Coarse sea salt (optional)

Turtles Candy substitutions and additions

Pass On The Pecans: While they might not be traditional chocolate turtles, you can replace the pecans with peanuts, cashews, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
Choose Your Chocolate: Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate.

Recommended tools for Homemade Chocolate Turtles

Sheet pans
Silicone baking mats or parchment paper
Microwave safe bowl
Measuring tools
Spoon

chocolate turtles with caramels and chocolate

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How to Make Chocolate Turtle RECIPE

This quick and easy recipe makes the best chocolate turtles, not only because homemade candy tastes better than a store-bought box, but also because it is filled with fresh ingredients. They’re the perfect combination of pecan, caramel, and chocolate.

Prepare The Pecans: Arrange five pecans in a cluster on the baking sheet to resemble a turtle. Repeat with all of the pecans.
Add Caramel: Microwave caramels and cream in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted. Add a spoonful of caramel onto each pecan cluster.
Pro Tip: If the caramel is too thick, stir in the remaining heavy cream.
Cover With Chocolate: Microwave chocolate in 30-second increments until melted. Add a spoonful of chocolate to the top of each turtle and sprinkle with salt. Chill in the fridge until the chocolate has set.
Serve: Serve and enjoy!

Chocolate Turtle Candy tips

Do not overcook the caramel. It melts quickly and you can easily burn it.
When making the pecan piles, I recommend overlapping some of the nuts so that the caramel doesn’t ooze straight through.
I prefer to use chopped-up chocolate bars for this recipe rather than chocolate chips. Chocolate chips don’t melt as well and can seize up in the microwave.
If you choose to use chocolate chips, you will need to add a little coconut oil to help them melt smoothly and set up with a nice snap and shine.
You can double or even triple this recipe to make homemade candy for friends and family.

How to store Turtle Chocolate Candy

To Store: Place turtles in an airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
To Freeze: Place turtles in a freezer-safe container, layered with parchment, in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Chocolate Turtles FAQs

How to store Chocolate Turtles?

You can store your turtles at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. If your house tends to be on the warm side, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator and bringing them to room temperature before serving.
You can also freeze your homemade turtles. Layer them between sheets of parchment or waxed paper and store them in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Can I use chopped pecans instead of pecan halves?

Chopped pecans will still work in this homemade turtle candy. You will need to place about a tablespoon of the nuts in a mound. Then continue to follow the directions to finish them.

What’s the point of adding the salt, and where do I find coarse sea salt?

The salt helps balance out the bitterness in the chocolate to help bring out the sweetness. The top flakey sea salt is Malson sea salt. I also love this Mediterranean sea salt.

How do form that swirl on the top of my turtle sweets?

It’s easy to form a swirl on top of your turtle sweets! With your spoon, lightly press into the top of the wet chocolate and swirl the spoon around until you get the look you desire.

How do I know if my caramel needs a second tablespoon of the heavy cream?

If the caramel is too thick, it will not pour off the spoon. In this case, you should add more heavy cream to the melted caramel.
You don’t want to add too much, or the caramel will spread too far when you pour them onto the pecans.

About how long will it take to melt the caramels?

Melting times will be based on the power of your microwave. Mine took about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Make sure you are stirring every 30 seconds or the caramel will burn.

Other Easy Candy Recipes

5 from 5 votes

Chocolate Turtles

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves —

Chocolate Turtles are so quick and easy to make by preparing pecan cluster piles and covering them with melted caramel and chocolate. Just as delicious as Demet's turtles, but better because they're made at home!

Print Rate Pin Save

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 3

Chill time 30

Total Time 48

Ingredients

Instructions

Line two sheet pans with silicone mats or parchment paper.
Arrange five pecans on the sheet pan together to have what looks like a turtle. Repeat this with all of the pecans.
Place your caramels and one tablespoon of cream into a medium mixing bowl. Microwave in thirty-second increments, stirring in between until the caramel is melted. If the caramel is too thick, stir in the remaining heavy cream.
Pour a spoonful of caramel onto each cluster of pecans.
Place your chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments until the chocolate is melted.
Add a spoonful of chocolate onto the top of each of the turtles. Sprinkle the top of each chocolate with the salt.
Place sheet pans into the fridge until the chocolate has set.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:

To Store: Place turtles in an airtight container, layered with parchment paper, and store at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
To Freeze: Place turtles in a freezer-safe container, layered with parchment, in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Tips:

Do not overcook the caramel. It melts quickly and you can easily burn it.
When making the pecan piles, I recommend overlapping some of the nuts so that the caramel doesn’t ooze straight through.
I prefer to use chopped up chocolate bars for this recipe rather than chocolate chips. Chocolate chips don’t melt as well and can seize up in the microwave.
If you choose to use chocolate chips, you will need to add a little coconut oil to help them melt smoothly and set up with a nice snap and shine.
You can double or even triple this recipe to make homemade candy for friends and family.

Nutrition Info

Chocolate Turtle Candy