Description
Homemade Chocolate Turtles are delightful bite-sized clusters of toasted pecans covered in smooth caramel and rich melted chocolate, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfect as a sweet snack or a thoughtful homemade gift, these treats combine crunchy nuts with creamy caramel and silky chocolate for a heavenly indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Turtles Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves (toasted)
- 1 cup soft caramel candies (unwrapped)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- Sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Pecan Clusters: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange small clusters of 3-4 toasted pecan halves in groups, leaving space between each cluster to prepare the base for the turtles.
- Melt Caramel: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.
- Coat Pecans with Caramel: Spoon the melted caramel onto each pecan cluster, carefully covering the nuts while leaving some edges exposed for texture.
- Set Caramel: Chill the caramel-coated clusters in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the caramel to firm up and hold its shape.
- Melt Chocolate: In a clean microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips by microwaving in 20-second bursts, stirring after every interval until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Chocolate Layer and Garnish: Spoon the melted chocolate over each caramel-covered cluster, spreading it to cover the caramel completely. Optionally, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor.
- Set and Serve: Allow the chocolate turtles to set at room temperature, or refrigerate for quicker firming. Once set, enjoy immediately or package them for gifting.
Notes
- Make sure to toast the pecans beforehand to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Use soft caramel candies for easy melting; if unavailable, caramel sauce can be an alternative.
- Microwave times may vary, so stir frequently to avoid burning the caramel or chocolate.
- Chilling the caramel-covered pecans before adding chocolate helps prevent the chocolate from mixing with the caramel.
- Store the finished turtles in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and firm.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
