Homemade Turtles Candies

Homemade Turtle Candies are a fast, easy, irresistible 3-ingredient treat perfect for holidays, birthdays, baby showers, game day, and anytime you want to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Chill30

Total Time45

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Turtle Candy Recipe, Turtles candy

Servings:

Ingredients

8 ounces pecan halves
12 ounces caramels (unwrapped)
1 tablespoon water
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate morsels
sea salt , optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place your pecan halves on a baking sheet; transfer to the oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes until toasted and fragrant. (Alternatively, you can add them to a hot non-stick skillet, stirring constantly until they are fragrant, about 5 minutes.)
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (that can also fit in the refrigerator or freezer.) Make 18 small mounds, about 5 pecan halves in each one depending on their size. (Overlap the pecans some to reduce gaps, otherwise the caramel will seep through.)
Add the caramels and water to a microwave safe bowl (making sure it's free of any debris or moisture) and microwave in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until fully melted and stirred together fully. (The first few times you try to stir, it feels impossible, but eventually they do soften and you'll be able to stir them until smooth. The caramel will be runny when it first comes together, but firms up quite a bit as it cools.)
As soon as your caramel is ready, quickly spoon a 2 teaspoons of the hot caramel on top of the clusters, making sure each pecan is covered with some caramel. Don’t worry about them being perfect, just work quickly before the caramel starts to set up.
Let the caramels sit for a bit to harden and then add the chocolate later. Just melt the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl (making sure it's free of any debris or moisture) in the microwave at half power, stirring every 30 seconds. Then spoon 2 teaspoons on top of each turtle.
Sprinkle a little bit of sea salt on top, if using.
Allow the Turtle Candy to firm up at room temp (this will take many hours) or place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or freezer for 15.)
For the best taste and texture, serve the turtles at room temperature.

Notes

To store:

You can store these turtles in airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. (Keep them away from warm temperatures or the chocolate will start to melt.)
To freeze Turtle Candy: layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper or wax paper (this will prevent them from sticking together.) Freeze for up to 2 months, then defrost at room temperature before serving.
It's best to serve these at room temperature, otherwise someone could crack a tooth trying to bite into them!

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