5 from 2 votes

Homemade Turtle Candy Recipe

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Gooey chocolate, smooth chocolate and crunchy pecans come together to make this homemade turtle candy recipe. This treat is the perfect candy to make for gifts, and always feels a little extra special, and is great for sharing!

A plate of chocolate caramel turtle candy piled high


 

Why We Love Homemade Turtles

  • Recipe That Feels Special – We only really had turtle candies growing up for holidays, special occasions, or maybe if we went to a chocolate shop. These homemade turtles feel a little extra special because it’s not a treat most people eat all the time, and make great gifts.
  • Delicious Taste – Creamy chocolate, chewy caramel and crunchy pecans are a classic mix that works so well together, and the shape makes these cute little turtles instantly recognizable.

Don’t have a candy thermometer to make this homemade turtle recipe? Try my easy pretzel turtles which only require three ingredients.

Ingredients For Turtle Candy Recipe

Pecan pie ingredients on a marble countertop.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions below in the recipe card.

  • pecan halves 
  • butter salted, if you have unsalted butter just add 1/4 teaspoon of salt as it melts.
  • brown sugar
  • corn syrup
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • vanilla extract
  • chocolate chips – you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate

How To Make Chocolate Turtles

  1. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place pecans in clusters of four on top of the parchment paper.
Pecans arranged in clusters of four on a baking sheet.
  1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan add butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Turn the heat to medium heat. Allow the mixture to just come to a boil.
Butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a large pot with chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk nearby.
  1. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla to the pot, then continue to stir. Measure with a candy thermometer and continue cooking and stirring the mixture until it reaches 245 degrees.
  2. Work quickly and spoon about a tablespoon of the caramel on top of each cluster of pecans. Then set the pans to the side to harden.
Pecans in clusters of four covered in a spoonful of caramel on a baking sheet.
  1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt chocolate on half power in the microwave then stir. Continue heating in 30 second increments until the chocolate forms a smooth sauce.
Melted chocolate in a bowl being stirred with a spoon.
  1. Spoon a little of the chocolate on top of the caramel on each caramel pecan cluster. Let the candies sit until they set, at least an hour, then enjoy!

Do I Need A Candy Thermometer?

You will need a candy thermometer for this recipe to make sure the caramel comes to the right temperature. While I don’t normally love using a candy thermometer, I know even if you are a beginner you can make this easy recipe.

A candy thermometer usually has a long metal stick than a meat thermometer, and a clip so you can stick it on the side of the hot pot to monitor the temperature. This keeps you safely away from the hot boiling sugar which can cause a bad burn if you spill it on yourself.

Can I Use A Meat Thermometer?

I don’t recommend using a meat thermometer because it doesn’t keep you far enough away from the boiling homemade caramel to keep you safe, plus will in the end be less accurate for this kind of recipe.

If you don’t have a candy thermometer a meat thermometer can be used in a pinch. Using a meat thermometer can simply be a little more dangerous because you have to keep reinserting the thermometer into the hot caramel to measure it, which puts your hands close to the hot liquid. Keep yourself safe when making the homemade caramel and buy or borrow a candy thermometer for this recipe.

Variation Ideas For Homemade Chocolate Turtles

Add Some Toppings – Try adding festive sprinkles, flaky sea salt, or chop pecans to go on top of the homemade candy.

Toast The Pecans – Toasting the pecans adds to the flavor of these turtles, and gives a little more crunch to this chocolate turtles recipe, especially right next to the caramel. You can toast pecans easily in the oven.

How Long Will Turtle Candy Last?

Expect these turtle candies will taste better if eaten within a week, but can be enjoyed after that. Store turtles in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter to keep them freshest.

More Candy Recipes You’ll Love

Close up square view of multiple turtle candy pieces stacked together.
Recipe

Turtle Candy


Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 36 Pieces
Homemade turtle candy is an easy recipe with chewy caramel, pecans, and chocolate, and are perfect for sharing.

Equipment

  • 3 Cookie sheets
  • 1 candy thermometer
  • 1 medium saucepan
  • 1 Silicone spatula
  • 1 Spoon
  • 1 medium size microwave safe bowl

Ingredients  

  • 3 cups pecans halves
  • ½ cup butter salted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup corn syrup
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk half of a 14 ounce can
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet

Instructions

  • Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place pecans in clusters of four on top of the parchment paper.
  • In a heavy bottomed saucepan add butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Turn the heat to medium heat. Allow the mixture to just come to a boil.
  • Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla to the pot, then continue to stir. Measure with a candy thermometer and continue cooking and stirring the mixture until it reaches 245 degrees.
  • Work quickly and spoon about a tablespoon of the caramel on top of each cluster of pecans. Then set the pans to the side to harden.
  • Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt chocolate on half power in the microwave then stir. Continue heating in 30 second increments until the chocolate forms a smooth sauce.
  • Spoon a little of the chocolate on top of the caramel on each caramel pecan cluster. Let the candies sit until they set, at least an hour, then enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword candy, chocolate, no bake

Did You Make This?

I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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