Pecan Caramel Chocolate Turtles

Turtles Candy

by Alli

If you need something easy and delicious to contribute to a Christmas party, this is it. My mom made Pecan Caramel Chocolate Turtles for years – way before recipes on the internet were even a thing.

We always have turtles at Thanksgiving, Christmas, family beach vacations, and, well, every single time we’ve ever visited mom and dad. You can see more of my favorite candy recipes here!

To see my collection of recipes featuring pecans, check out my Best Recipes Featuring Pecans.

These days, I’m making everything I can think of that mom used to make. Memories are too precious to forget and her Pecan Caramel Chocolate Turtles have always been a personal favorite. 

close up photo of turtles candy

Once upon a time, mama made turtles that looked like turtles. Eventually, she took a shortcut and never looked back. The first time I tried these, I skipped an important step and they weren’t mom’s.

Mama eyeballed everything so it took me a few tries to get it right. 

Finally, I’ve nailed it and I have to share it with the world or at least my little corner of the world. Here goes!

Turtles Candy

Ingredients At A Glance! (Full Printable Recipe Card Down Below)

  • toasted pecan halves 
  • chocolate candy coating like Candiquik
  • caramels (11 oz) (I use Kraft Caramels)
  • water
  • butter

Preparation Steps

Remove the wrappers from the caramels.

Line a 9×13″ baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Set aside. 

Melt the caramels with the butter and water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth and creamy. Stir constantly while the caramel mixture is melting. 

Add the toasted pecan halves, stir to combine, and drop by spoonfuls onto parchment paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Don’t worry about them being the same size. 

This is what the caramel and pecan mixture looks like when you drop spoonfuls onto the wax paper. (I just eyeball it).

caramel and pecan mixture drying on wax paper

After the caramel/pecan mixture hardens (it will not be rock hard) but should lift easily away from the parchment paper.

Make sure the caramel has hardened before dipping it in chocolate. I let the mixture harden for about an hour. If you’re in a hurry, pop it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. 

The mixture should not be gooey or runny or stick to the parchment paper. See how easy it lifts away. If you don’t let it harden properly, it will stick to the paper. 

toasted pecans and caramels on baking pan

Melt the chocolate candy coating according to the package directions. Dip to cover completely, letting the access drip back into the melted candy coating. Place on wax paper to harden completely. 

These are great for taking to Christmas parties. I usually make a batch of these and a batch of Puttin’ On The Ritz Cookies.

Pecan Caramel Chocolate Turtles Are The Best

Believe it or not, out of all the candies, cookies, etc. I make these during the Christmas season, my kids love the Turtles and Ritz ones the best and they are the easiest of all to make.

When Making Mom’s Candy I Have All The Feels

PS – It’s not a post unless I overshare so here goes! A few days ago I found a voicemail on my iPhone that my mom left me back in October 2015 (she unexpectedly went to heaven on May 7, 2016).

My daughter, Caitlin, and I were headed down to Mom’s house to attend my niece’s wedding. She called to let us know she was headed to the rehearsal but would leave the back door unlocked (small-town love). She told us to drive safe, she loved us and could hardly wait to see us.

Normally, I delete voicemails as soon as I listen to them. However, this is one time I’m glad I didn’t. When I’m having a rough day or just need to hear her voice, I play the voicemail. I’ve saved it in several places to make sure it never gets deleted.

What’s your favorite holiday candy or memory? Please share! I read all the comments.

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Mom’s Divinity

Melinda’s Buckeyes (AKA Peanut Butter Balls)

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

Cookie Dough Truffles

 

Yield: Approximately 24

Pecan, Caramel and Chocolate Turtles

close up photo of turtles candy

My mom always made Pecan Caramel Chocolate Turtles during the holiday season. Toasted pecans and creamy caramel are mixed together, allowed to harden, and dipped in melted chocolate.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 1 package chocolate Candiquik
  • One package caramels (11 oz) (I use Kraft Caramels)
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Remove the caramels from the wrappers.
  2. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes or until toasted. Watch carefully! Set aside.
  3. In a heavy saucepan, melt caramels, water, and butter on medium-low, stirring constantly, until melted.
  4. Add pecans to the caramel mixture and mix well.
  5. On lightly greased wax paper (or parchment), spoon tablespoons of caramel/pecan mixture. Let harden. (You can also pop these in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden!)
  6. Heat Candiquik in the microwave according to package directions.
  7. Dip each candy into Candiquik with a fork and let excess drip off. Place on wax or parchment paper and let harden. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

Serving size is approximate, based on how large or small you make the candies.

Candiquik is a premium candy coating. You can also use chocolate almond bark. Candiquik brand is my favorite candy coating.

Make sure the caramel mixture hardens completely before removing from the parchment paper. The candy should lift right off the paper.

To speed up the hardening process: After dropping the caramel/pecan mixture by spoonfuls onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet, pop them in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Sometimes I use 2-1/2 cups of pecan pieces (larger than chopped pecans).

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 90Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 5mgSodium 23mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 1g

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