Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (2024)

These Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles are so easy to make, and taste absolutely amazing. If you are looking for a delicious holiday dessert, gift for a loved one or neighbor, or just a treat to satisfy the sweet tooth, we highly recommend our Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (1)

The holidays are not all about the pies, these chocolate caramel pecan turtles are also a must! They are an easy Christmas dessert that you can make up with only a few ingredients.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (2)

Have you heard of the homemade turtle candy like our chocolate caramel pecan turtles? They are soo good, and great for any Christmas cookie exchange recipe that you have coming up.

These pecan turtles will wow anyone you decide to share these chocolate caramels with. What I like is that they don’t take up a bunch of room and ship wonderfully.

Chocolate caramel pecan turtles have become a Christmas dessert tradition in our house. Since it has only a few ingredients I love to make up the caramel and assemble it all together with the kids.

You can store them in a glass jar on the counter to have around as a treat or you can package them up in cute little tins as gifts.

For more delicious turtle recipes like these No Bake Turtle Cake, Caramel Pecan Turtle Pumpkin Pie Recipe, or some amazing Chocolate Chip Turtle Cookies! They all are bursting with the tasty caramel and pecan flavors that you are going to love.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (3)

Ingredients You Need to Make Our Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe:

  • Pecan halves
  • Butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Corn syrup
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Milk chocolate chips
  • Shortening

How To Make Our Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe:

When you are ready to start making these delicious pecan turtles, start by baking the pecans on a cookie sheet for 5-6 minutes in an oven that is preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, or until they become fragrant.

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Remove the pecans from the oven and allow them to cool down.

Once they are cool, line 2 large cooking sheets with parchment paper and then spray them lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (5)

Then, arrange the pecans on the prepared sheets in groups of 3.

Now, to make the caramel used for this recipe, start by melting the butter in a medium sauce pan.

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Next, add in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk and cook it all together over medium-high heat while stirring it all together and the caramel reaches 235 degrees on the candy thermometer.

This should bring the caramel to the soft ball stage where if you drop the caramel into cold water it should cling together .

Remove the caramel from the heat and add in the vanilla extract and stir it together.

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Once the vanilla is mixed in, carefully drop about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of the caramel over top of the nuts, making sure that all of the nuts are covered.

Continue doing this until all of the nuts are covered.

Now, to begin making the top chocolate shell, start by melting the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds.

After the 30 seconds is done, remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the chips together.

Now, return the chocolate to the microwave and continue the same process heating the chocolate chips for 15-30 seconds and stir in between each time until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Next, add in ½ teaspoon of shortening to the melted chocolate and stir it all together.

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For the next step, spoon the melted chocolate over top of the caramel and carefully spread it around with the back of the spoon to cover most of the caramel.

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Then just let them set up completely and either store them in an air tight container or serve them.

To Make this Homemade Turtle Candy You Will Need:

  1. Large cookie sheets (2)
  2. Parchment paper (THIS kind works great for this recipe)
  3. Nonstick cooking spray
  4. Medium sauce pan
  5. Wooden spoon
  6. Microwave safe bowl
  7. Spoons

Why are Caramel and Chocolate Called Turtles?

The flavor of the caramel and chocolate combination came from a candy produced from the DeMet’s candy company that featured chocolate, caramel, and pecans.

According to Wikapedia, one of the dippers at a commissary back in the early 1900’s told the salesman that the candy looked like the shape of a turtle and the name stuck ever since.

And now most things that contain the caramel and chocolate use the term “turtle” to describe the dessert.

Will Dark Chocolate Work Instead?

For this recipe you can use dark chocolate, it will definitely taste good! However, it might be a little harder to get the dark chocolate to melt and become nice and smooth. You might have to up the amount of shortening just slightly to get the right consistency.

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Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (10)

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Fun Christmas Treats to Make During the Holiday Season:

  1. Chocolate Reindeer Cookies Recipe
  2. Easy Christmas Peppermint Toffee
  3. Chocolate Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies Recipe
  4. Christmas Trail Mix Recipe
  5. Christmas Tree Cupcake Topper
  6. Reindeer Sugar Cookies Recipe
  7. Christmas Tree Brownies
  8. Grandma’s Thumbprint Cookies

No Bake Treats to Make for the Family:

  1. Nutella No Bake Cookies Recipe
  2. The BEST No Bake Cookies Recipe
  3. Chocolate Mint No Bake Cookies
  4. Easy No Bake Fluffernutter Cookies Recipe (Aka Avalanche Cookies)
  5. No Bake Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe
  6. No Bake Thin Mint Cookies
  7. No Bake Ritz Cracker Thin Mint Cookies Recipe
  8. Oreo Pudding Pie – No Bake Recipe!
  9. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe (Easy)
  10. Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (11)

Serves: 50

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe

One of our favorite Christmas treats loaded with pecans, delicious caramel and milk chocolate.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 minutes mins

Total Time 21 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup corn syrup
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk ½ can
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 12 ounces milk chocolate chips
  • ½ teaspoon shortening

Instructions

  • Toast pecans at 300 degrees on a cookie sheet for 5 to 6 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.

  • Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with non stick cooking spray.

  • Arrange the pecans on the sheet in small groups of 3.

  • To make the caramel, melt butter in a medium sized sauce pan. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk. Cook and stir over medium high heat until it reaches 235 degrees on your candy thermometer or the soft ball stage. (Clings together well when you drop ½ teaspoon of caramel in cold water).

  • Then remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla. Carefully spoon caramel over each nut cluster covering all the nuts.

  • For the chocolate topping melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl or big glass measuring cup. Heat for 30 seconds at a time stirring after each interval until all melted and smooth.

  • Then add in 1/2 teaspoon shortening to the melted chocolate chips. Stir all together until its blended in.

  • Spoon the melted chocolate over the caramel and spread around with the back of a spoon.

  • Once they set up you can eat them or store them in an airtight container.

Notes

Great for gift giving and holiday parties.

Nutrition

Calories: 97 kcal · Carbohydrates: 10 g · Protein: 1 g · Fat: 7 g · Saturated Fat: 2 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 6 mg · Sodium: 25 mg · Potassium: 46 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 9 g · Vitamin A: 71 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 20 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • cookie sheets

  • parchment paper

  • Saucepan

  • Microwave Safe Bowl

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (12)

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Join The Discussion

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  1. joy gregg says:

    Is the shortening the cream or liquid form

  2. Barbara Karr says:

    I saw a recipe for turtles but I didn´t recognize the author. I have been stung a few times and now I am very cautious. Then I found one by Six Sisters and I knew that was the ONE. You girls have given great and delicious recipes and I know if you post it then it´s a keeper. Just finished making your turtle recipe and they are great!!! Thanks again for another great recipe. Merry Christmas to you girls and your families. Looking forward to a New Year of your great recipes. B. Karr

  3. Cyd says:

    Hi Barbara. Thanks so much for making our day by taking a minute and leaving this sweet comment. We are so glad you enjoyed the turtles. They are a favorite at Christmas. Have a very Merry Christmas!

  4. Donna says:

    Thank you for all your delicious recipes. Making your CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN TURTLES recipe today. Once your caramel sauce has cooked, has anyone tried to add in chocolate chips combining sauce & chocolate and then nuts. I can drop spoonfuls of the turtle candy onto a baking sheet and cool. This will save me much needed time. It should taste the same but the look will be different, please advise.Thank you, in advance for your kind attention and quick response.

  5. Donita Walker says:

    Your candy is wonderful

  6. Lynn says:

    These were amazing! Everyone loved them especially the kids! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

  7. Jane says:

    I think I’m missing something. All Step 4 says is to make the Carmel, add butter to pan. It doesn’t say anything about the other ingredients.

  8. Momma Cyd says:

    Thanks so much for catching that. We have edited the recipe and it's all there now!

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (13)

About The Author:

Momma Cyd

Cyd is the mom of the six sisters and joined the team early on to help out. She shares the best of the best recipes from her kitchen.

Read More

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Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are turtles chocolate made of? ›

Turtles are a candy made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, with a shape resembling a turtle. The name is trademarked by DeMet's Candy Company.

Why is caramel pecan called turtle? ›

Developed in 1918 by DeMet's Candy Company, these delectable bites were made of pecan pieces that were coated in caramel and then enveloped inside a glob of gourmet chocolate. And why were they called turtles? Because they actually looked like turtles with a large, chocolate covered shell.

What is inside the candy turtles original? ›

It's no surprise that Turtles® clusters have been popular for more than 100 years. The original caramel nut cluster filled with crunchy pecans, creamy caramel, and luscious chocolate was just the beginning.

How many calories in a chocolate caramel turtle? ›

De Met's Original Pecans Chocolate Caramel Turtles (2 pieces) contains 19g total carbs, 18g net carbs, 10g fat, 2g protein, and 170 calories.

What nuts are in chocolate turtles? ›

Our easy Homemade Turtles are made with chewy caramel, toasted pecans, and rich chocolate for one of the BEST Christmas candy recipes that you really can (and should!)

What do Southerners call pecans? ›

Here is a list based on popularity: pee-KAHN — most dominant phrasing nationwide. PEE-can — most dominant on the east coast. pick-AHN — popular in areas like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Who invented pecan turtles? ›

The chocolate turtle today is a trademarked candy from Chicago's DeMet's Candy Company. However, candy history tells us that the "turtle" originated in San Francisco during the early 1900s. The chocolate candy with caramel and pecans was the creation of a candy chef named Louis Gordon Hooper.

When did chocolate turtles come out? ›

It was in 1916 in the windy city of Chicago that George DeMet brought the Turtle to life. Back then it only came in one variety, which was caramel, pecans, and chocolate. Since peanuts tended to be the nut of choice in candies, we imagine that using pecans must have been quite scandalous!

Why is it called a turtle brownie? ›

The shape of them with a hump of caramel in the middle resembles a turtle shell, hence the name. I've turned one of my favorite fudgy cocoa brownie recipes into the ultimate decadent treat by adding pecans, chocolate chips and drizzles of salted caramel to deliver a nostalgic taste of that famous confection!

Why is it called turtle flavor? ›

The turtle pie got its name due to the caramel, chocolate and pecans that are used to top the pies, which are said to have a similarity in flavor to that of DeMet's Turtles, which use similar ingredients. The pie usually has a cookie crumb crust and is often made with a custard, mousse or a cheesecake filling.

Who created turtles? ›

Kevin Brooks Eastman (born May 30, 1962) is an American comic book writer and artist best known for co-creating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Peter Laird. Eastman was also formerly the editor and publisher of the magazine Heavy Metal. Portland, Maine, U.S.

Is caramel turtle sugar free? ›

Reduced fat, no sugar added vanilla flavoured ice cream with caramel-filled milk chocolate flavoured turtles and a caramel ribbon.

How much sugar is in a turtle chocolate? ›

Per 100 g
Per 100 g
Carbohydrate59.9 g
Dietary Fiber1.38 g
Sugars50.7 g
Protein4.04 g
9 more rows

How many calories in a chocolate pecan turtle? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories150
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g13%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
12 more rows

What kind of chocolate is turtles? ›

Each irresistible piece of TURTLES® is made using the classic recipe of rich milk chocolate, smooth caramel, and delicious pecan pieces. It's no wonder TURTLES® have been a Canadian Christmas favourite since 1949.

Is turtle food safe for humans? ›

“Studies show that all parts of the sea turtle are potentially toxic. Symptoms can be as mild as nausea and vomiting to more severe forms of neurologic manifestations, coma and ultimately death.” Pemba Island is part of Tanzania's Zanzibar Archipelago.

What are turtle cookies made of? ›

Turtle Cookies are double chocolate cookies that are studded with caramel and chopped pecans! Buttery, rich, and perfect for weekend baking therapy and the holidays!

What did turtle taste like? ›

What does turtle meat taste like? A large snapping turtle is said to contain seven distinct types of meat, each reminiscent of pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, veal, fish or goat. (Those less enamored of the protein might describe its flavor as muddy, dirty, mushy and chewy, however.)

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