Indulge in the decadent delight of sea salt pecan turtles, a treat for your taste buds. With their rich caramel filling, crunchy pecans, and smooth chocolate topping, these homemade candies are sure to be a hit!
Chocolate Pecan Turtles: Tips for Success!
This chocolate pecan turtle recipe is easy to prepare, resulting in treats that taste as though they’re straight from a gourmet candy shop! I’ll share some helpful tips to ensure your candy-making process goes seamlessly.
Toast the Pecans
To enhance the flavor and achieve a crispy texture, make sure to toast the pecans instead of using them raw. The best method is to toast them in the oven, flipping them halfway through. One helpful trick is to place all the pecans facing either upwards or downwards. After half the cooking time, turn them over. If one remains untouched, it will stand out. In the photo above, I’m in the process of flipping the pecans to toast their “bottom” or flat side.
Use a Silicone Mat or Parchment Paper to Make Pecan Turtles
Since the caramel in these pecan turtles can be pretty sticky, it’s essential to line your baking surface with either a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent any sticking. I prefer using a silicone mat, but parchment paper is also a solid choice.
Shape the Pecans Like a Turtle
Arrange five pecans to form a turtle shape, with the “head” pointing upwards and the remaining pecans serving as legs. When I was a child, I always thought the candy looked like a turtle, hence its name. Nowadays, many people don’t associate the shape with the name since turtles can also be made in round shapes with chopped nuts. However, I prefer the traditional turtle form. To achieve a more uniform look, try to use pecans that are similar in size.
Heat the Caramel
This recipe simplifies things by using caramel cubes. You can either count or weigh them for accuracy. The secret to the delightful flavor of these turtles lies in the caramel, which incorporates cream. The cream not only softens the caramel for easier biting but also adds a rich flavor!
Spoon the Caramel Over the Pecans
Distribute the caramel evenly among the pecans (eyeballing it is perfectly fine). Spoon the caramel into the middle where the pecans meet. If you have leftover caramel, go back and add it to those that require more. Allow the caramel to set by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator for five to ten minutes.
Add the Chocolate Topping
Melt the chocolate in the microwave as the recipe directs, combining it with a bit of shortening to achieve a smooth, consistent texture. Place a spoonful of the melted chocolate on top of each hardened caramel and use the back of the spoon to create a swirling pattern. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle a little coarse sea salt on each turtle. Let the chocolate sit until it hardens.
Storage of Pecan Turtles
To store the pecan turtles, place them in an airtight container, layered with parchment paper between each piece to prevent them from sticking together. Enjoy!
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Turtles
Sea Salt Pecan Turtles
Equipment
- silicone baking mat or parchment paper
- large baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 11 ounces caramels (about 36 Kraft cubes)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 85 pecan halves
- 1 cup chocolate melting wafers (use good quality milk or semi-sweet)
- 1 teaspoon shortening
- sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pecan halves for about 7 minutes. Turn them after 4 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick silicone mats. Using five pecan halves, arrange the pecans (on the baking sheets) in turtle shapes – a head and 4 legs.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and cream. Heat on high for 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. It will take about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes total to melt the caramels.
- Place a spoonful of the melted caramel onto each pecan turtle, using a spoon to spread it over the pecans. If you have any leftover caramel, go back and place more onto the pecans until you use it all
- Refrigerate the caramels until they harden, about 5-10 minutes.
- In a clean microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate wafers and shortening at half power for 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Add a spoonful of chocolate to each turtle. Use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate so that it covers most of the turtles. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
- Let the turtles sit until they harden. Store the turtles in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between each turtle to prevent sticking.