Description
Sweet caramel and chocolate merge in homemade chocolate turtles, creating irresistible treats that melt hearts with pecans and rich chocolate. Crafted with care, these candies offer a perfect blend of crunch, sweetness, and indulgence you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 200 g (2 cups) pecan halves, lightly toasted
- 200 g (7 ounces) soft caramels, store-bought or homemade
- 200 g (7 ounces) semi-sweet or milk chocolate, chopped
Liquid and Optional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- Sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, creating a clean workspace for crafting chocolate turtles.
- Create turtle-shaped clusters using 3-4 pecan halves, strategically positioning them to resemble a reptilian form with distinct head, body, and tail sections.
- Melt caramel and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short intervals and stirring thoroughly until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Carefully drizzle melted caramel over the center of each pecan cluster, ensuring the nuts adhere together and form a compact base.
- Allow caramel-coated clusters to rest and stabilize for approximately 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Prepare chocolate using a double boiler or microwave method, gently heating and stirring to create a silky, uniform melted chocolate mixture.
- Optional: Incorporate coconut oil or vegetable shortening into melted chocolate for enhanced shine and smoother coating.
- Generously coat each caramel-topped pecan cluster with melted chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Sprinkle sea salt flakes over chocolate for added flavor complexity and visual appeal.
- Let chocolate turtles set at room temperature for one hour, or accelerate cooling by refrigerating for 15-20 minutes.
- Once fully solidified, transfer chocolate turtles to an airtight container for storage.
- Preserve treats at room temperature for up to one week or refrigerate for extended freshness of up to two weeks.
Notes
- Optimize pecan toasting by lightly roasting them in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before arranging, which enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
- Control caramel consistency by adding a splash of cream gradually, ensuring smooth texture without becoming too runny or stiff.
- Select high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for deeper, richer flavor profiles that complement the sweet caramel and toasted pecans.
- Experiment with alternative nuts like almonds or walnuts for different taste experiences while maintaining the classic turtle texture and appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg