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This simple turtle candy recipe has a baked pecan base smothered in chocolate and homemade caramel – a perfect treat for sharing!

Turtle candy piled high on a white plate.

A Favorite Flavor Combo

Caramel-covered turtle candy is a family favorite (our mom’s all-time favorite)! And how could it not be with chocolate, pecans and caramel all over?!

This turtle-shaped candy is often sold and made year-round but is especially popular during Thanksgiving and Christmas. We always include them on our treat plates for holiday gifting and love to add them to party plates and Charcuterie boards for family gatherings since we love them so much.

Our version includes homemade caramel for melt-in-your-mouth perfection! If you love the flavor combo of turtles, you also need to try Turtle Thumbprint Cookies and Turtle Cheesecake.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Flavor combination. The combination of crunchy pecans, chewy caramel, and chocolate is incredible.
  • Homemade. This version is better than any turtle candy we have ever purchased. Plus, they’re less expensive to make than buy.
  • Simple steps. Don’t be intimidated about the candy-making process, the steps are simple and there are plenty of tips!
A white bowl filled with chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • ยฝ cup butter – if using salted butter reduce the amount of added salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ยฝ cup corn syrup – light corn syrup
  • dash salt
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk – (half of a 14-ounce can) Do not use evaporated milk.
  • ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1ยฝ cups chocolate chips – milk chocolate chips, or try semi-sweet, dark chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips
  • ยฝ teaspoon vegetable oil – or shortening
  • optional topping – sprinkle with flaky sea salt

Use Store-Bought Caramel

Use 25-30 soft store-bought Kraft caramels or a bag of caramel bits. Melt them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

If the caramels are a bit tough, add a little spoonful of half and half to yield a smoother result.

How to Make Turtle Candy

  1. PECANS. Place 3 cups pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350ยฐF for about 10 minutes or till lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool. Arrange in clusters of 3-4 on silicone liners or parchment paper (not wax paper).
  2. CARAMEL. Combine ยฝ cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, ยฝ cup corn syrup, and a dash of salt in a 6-quart pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk and ยฝ teaspoon vanilla.
  3. CORRECT TEMP. Continue cooking and stirring. Use a candy thermometer to ensure the caramel reaches 235-240ยฐF.
    • I use the ice water test, it’s more accurate. Drop a small spoonful of the hot caramel into a bowl of ice water. When you take it out, you should be able to roll it into a ball. Then it’s done.
  4. ASSEMBLE. Quickly spoon the caramel over the pecan clusters, making sure the caramel is touching each of the pecans. Let sit to harden.
  5. CHOCOLATE. Melt 1ยฝ cups chocolate chips and ยฝ teaspoon oil in the microwave at half power, stirring often till smooth. Spoon chocolate on top of each layer of caramel (sprinkle with salt if desired). Let sit for 1-2 hours, or till hardened.

PRO TIP: High Elevation

In general, subtract 2ยฐ from the stated temperature for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For example, if you are 4,000 feet above sea level, subtract 8ยฐ from the stated recipe making it 227-232ยฐF. 

Turtle candy topped with caramel and chocolate.

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4.94 from 168 votes

Turtle Candy

By: Lil’ Luna
This simple turtle candy variation has a baked pecan base smothered in chocolate and homemade caramel – a perfect treat for sharing!
Servings: 36
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Rest: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • ยฝ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ยฝ cup corn syrup
  • dash salt
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk, half of a 14-ounce can
  • ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1ยฝ cups chocolate chips, I used milk chocolate chips
  • ยฝ teaspoon vegetable oil, or shortening

Instructions 

  • Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350ยฐF for about 10 minutes or till lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool. Arrange in clusters of 3-4 on silicone liners or parchment paper.
  • Combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a 6-quart pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
  • Continue cooking and stirring till the mixture reaches 235-240ยฐF.
  • I use the ice water test, it's more accurate. Drop a small spoonful of the hot caramel into a bowl of ice water. When you take it out, you should be able to roll it into a ball. Then it's done.
  • Quickly spoon the caramel over the pecan clusters, making sure the caramel is touching each of the pecans. Let sit to harden.
  • Melt the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave at half power, stirring often till smooth. Spoon chocolate on top of each layer of caramel. Let sit for 1-2 hours or till hardened.

Video

Notes

Storebought caramel.ย Use 25-30 soft store-bought Kraft caramels or a bag of caramel bits. Melt them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
  • If the caramels are a bit tough, add a little spoonful of half and half to yield a smoother result.
High elevation.ย In general, subtract 2ยฐ from the stated temperature for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For example, if you are 4,000 feet above sea level, subtract 8ยฐ from the stated recipe making it 227-232ยฐF.ย 
Store. Store chocolate turtle candy at room temperature in an airtight container so the caramel stays soft. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 4-6 weeks. Set them out on the counter to soften.
ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 36g, Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 37mg, Potassium: 63mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 115IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Store chocolate turtle candy at room temperature in an airtight container or freeze it in a freezer-safe container for 4-6 weeks. Set them out on the counter to soften before eating.

Thanks for sharing this recipe with us Kara! For more amazingly delicious recipes by her, head over to Creations by Kara!!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.94 from 168 votes (77 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




188 Comments

  1. Granni Apple says:

    5 stars
    I really love the idea for putting โ€œ3โ€ pecans!!! These are SO creamy, soft and Yummy! Thanks for giving us this recipe. My neighbors and friends really loved them!

  2. mary says:

    how many does this make approx?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      About 36

  3. MarJean Sieberer says:

    5 stars
    Very simple recipe. Very nice treats

  4. Georgianne Brennan says:

    Love the caramel turtles. Always did,just did not know how. Now I do.They are great!

  5. Ruthanne says:

    5 stars
    These were delicious and easy to make they are great treat to give your friend and family for the holidays

  6. cheri says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Everyone raves about these. I like dipping them completely in chocolate and then adding a little coarse sea salt to the tops, while still warm. Thanks for the recipe!

  7. Kim Fauntleroy says:

    5 stars
    It looks easy and delicious

  8. Jessica says:

    I love these at the holidays or any time. I love turtles. I also love this site. You make so many yummy recipes. Thank you for everything.

  9. Peg Hambrecht says:

    5 stars
    These were so easy to make and the Best Chocolate Covered Turtles I’ve eaten!!! Melt in your mouth Gooood!!! TY for the recipe!

  10. Bre says:

    Simply delicious