Irresistible Homemade Turtle Candy Recipe (2024)

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Turtle candy is a delicious confection that can be made at home with only a few ingredients. The familiar combination of caramel, chocolate, and pecans has been around for generations – but what makes it so special? It’s the unique process that goes into making each piece!

This is inspired candy and has all the flavors of turtle candy with more pecans. No, they do not look like turtles, but they taste better than them!

Irresistible Homemade Turtle Candy Recipe (1)

Making turtle candy is a little involved and does require some patience. You will need to wait for each layer to set before adding another one to the top. Trust me though, the end result is worth all of the waiting!

Plus, you’ll have plenty of delectable treats to share because this recipe makes 34 large, irresistible turtle candies. As a result, it’s a perfect recipe to make for a party dessert!

Before reading any further – If you don’t have a candy thermometer, I highly recommend that you purchase one before making this recipe. It can be found at any kitchen store or at Walmart for under $10.00. It’s definitely worth owning in case you want to make more candy recipes in the future.

Now let’s get started on learning how to make these sweet little candies!

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What is a Turtle Candy Made of?

Turtle candy consists of caramel, chocolate, and pecans wrapped in a soft caramel-like exterior. The contrast between the crunchy nuts and smooth chocolate with the chewy caramel makes for an interesting texture that everyone will love!

How to Make Turtle Candy

Many people love turtles and many people love candy, but few know that you can make your own turtle candies at home with just a few ingredients. The process of making this confection is fun and relatively easy, so try it out! Here’s a summary of how to make your own turtle candies at home:

Toast the Pecans – Add halved raw pecans on a large baking sheet. Bake them for 10 minutes in a 350 degree heated oven. Toasting the pecans adds a deep, rich flavor that makes these candies taste so delicious. Once toasted, remove the pecans from the sheet and coat the pan with parchment paper.

Arrange the Pecans on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet into 34 separate groups that are 2″ – 2 1/2″ wide.

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Cook the Caramel – In a 5-quart stockpot, add the light brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add in the salt, vanilla, and sweetened, condensed milk. Continue cooking and stirring the mixture until the candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees F. Once at temperature, remove caramel from the heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes to thicken. This will allow for an easier to spoon caramel.

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Top Pecans – Once the caramel has cooled a bit, spoon 3/4 of a tablespoon over each bunch of pecans. Place the baking sheet in the fridge to harden the caramel for 15 minutes before adding the chocolate.

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Melt the Chocolate – In a microwave-safe glass bowl, add the milk chocolate chips and vegetable shortening. Heat morsels in 30-second intervals stirring in-between each. Do not get the chocolate wet or overcook or it will harden and seize. Even on drop of water can cause destruction. Once creamy, remove the caramel topped pecans from the fridge, and spoon about a tablespoon of chocolate over each caramel nut cluster.

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Chill – Once all are topped, return the candy to the fridge to allow for the chocolate to harden. Enjoy once the chocolate is firm.

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Tips for Success

Always toast the nuts for the best flavor- this also removes bitterness from the nuts.

The caramel must be made with patience and attentiveness. You do need a candy thermometer because too low of a temp will result in runny caramel and too high will make caramel that cannot be bitten into (like glass). The change over happens fast so have everything ready to go.

Allowing the caramel to sit over the pecans for 5 minutes helps it to settle a bit as the chocolate topping is prepared.

Do not microwave the chocolate (or temper in a double boiler) until the caramel is prepared.

Do not get the chocolate wet. Make sure the stirring spoon, and bowl are completely dried before using them. The use of shortening help to make these creamy. Microwave on 50% less power and stir in-between each.

Always use quality parchment or wax paper for the setting process. Cheap dollar store varieties are not as nonstick as they claim!

How to Store Turtle Candy

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The best way to store turtle candies is in the refrigerator because the homemade caramel can become sticky. I recommend cutting small squares of parchment paper and adding each turtle to one piece.

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Another way you could store them is to place a piece of parchment or wax paper in-between layers of the candies to prevent each layer from sticking to each other.

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More Holiday Sweet Treats

Looking for some more holiday sweet treats? Check out these other easy confections you can make at home.

Ritz Cracker Toffee

Elf Munch Snack Mix

Chocolate Chip Pizza Cookie

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Mini Mint Chocolate Cream Pies

Irresistible Homemade Turtle Candy Recipe (11)

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4.97 from 28 votes

Irresistible Homemade Turtle Candy

Turtle candy is a delicious confection that can be made at home with only a few ingredients. The familiar combination of caramel, chocolate, and pecans has been around for generations – but what makes it so special? It's the unique process that goes into making each piece!

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 34 candies

Calories 182cal

Author Amy Desrosiers

Cost $13

Equipment

  • Oven

  • Stovetop

  • Refrigerator

  • candy thermometer

  • 5-quart stockpot

  • large baking sheet

  • parchment paper

  • tablespoon

  • wooden spoon

  • measuring cup & spoons

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pecan halves

Caramel

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • pinch salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate

  • cups chocolate morsels milk chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

Instructions

  • Add halved raw pecans on a large baking sheet. Bake them for 10 minutes in a 350 degree heated oven. Toasting the pecans adds a deep, rich flavor that makes these candies taste so delicious. Once toasted, remove the pecans from the sheet and coat the pan with parchment paper.

  • On the parchment paper-lined baking sheet into 34 separate groups that are 2″ – 2 1/2″ wide.

  • In a 5-quart stockpot, add the light brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add in the salt, vanilla, and sweetened, condensed milk. Continue cooking and stirring the mixture until the candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees F. Once at temperature, remove caramel from the heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes to thicken. This will allow for an easier to spoon caramel.

  • Once the caramel has cooled a bit, spoon 3/4 of a tablespoon over each bunch of pecans. Place the baking sheet in the fridge to harden the caramel for 15 minutes before adding the chocolate.

  • In a microwave-safe glass bowl, add the milk chocolate chips and vegetable shortening. Heat morsels in 30-second intervals stirring in-between each. Once creamy, remove the caramel topped pecans from the fridge, and spoon about a tablespoon of chocolate over each caramel nut cluster.

  • Once all are topped, return the candy to the fridge to allow for the chocolate to harden. Enjoy once the chocolate is firm.

Notes

Nutritional values may vary and are meant to be a guide.

Tips for success

The caramel must be made with patience and attentiveness. You do need a candy thermometer because too low of a temp will result in runny caramel and too high will make caramel that cannot be bitten into (like glass). The change over happens fast so have everything ready to go.

Allowing the caramel to sit over the pecans for 5 minutes helps it to settle a bit as the chocolate topping is prepared.

Do not microwave the chocolate (or temper in a double boiler) until the caramel is prepared.

Do not get the chocolate wet. Make sure the stirring spoon, and bowl are completely dried before using them. The use of shortening help to make these creamy. Microwave on 50% less power and stir in-between each.

Always use quality parchment or wax paper for the setting process. Cheap dollar store varieties are not as nonstick as they claim!

Nutrition

Serving: 1turtle | Calories: 182cal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Irresistible Homemade Turtle Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is turtle candy made of? ›

Turtles are a candy made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, with a shape resembling a turtle. The name is trademarked by DeMet's Candy Company.

What is inside the candy Turtles original? ›

MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, NONFAT MILK, BUTTEROIL, LACTOSE, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLIN, SALT), PECANS, CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, PALM OIL, NONFAT MILK, BUTTEROIL, AND LESS THAN 1% OF SODIUM CASEINATE, SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR.

What nut is in a turtle? ›

Three ingredients that can perk up any palate or day, Turtles ® clusters are bursting with crunchy pecans, creamy caramel, and all wrapped up in luscious chocolate. The taste of the original caramel nut cluster is made to delight.

Who made the original turtle candy? ›

The chocolate turtle today is a trademarked candy from Chicago's DeMet's Candy Company. However, candy history tells us that the "turtle" originated in San Francisco during the early 1900s. The chocolate candy with caramel and pecans was the creation of a candy chef named Louis Gordon Hooper.

Why is it called turtle candy? ›

Developed in 1918 by DeMet's Candy Company, these delectable bites were made of pecan pieces that were coated in caramel and then enveloped inside a glob of gourmet chocolate. And why were they called turtles? Because they actually looked like turtles with a large, chocolate covered shell.

Where does turtle flavor come from? ›

The turtle pie got its name due to the caramel, chocolate and pecans that are used to top the pies, which are said to have a similarity in flavor to that of DeMet's Turtles, which use similar ingredients.

What ice cream flavor is turtle? ›

A Culver's Classic! We begin with creamy Vanilla Fresh Frozen Custard and swirl in ribbons of old fashioned salted caramel, novelty chocolate, and toasted pecan pieces.

What's the difference between turtles and pralines? ›

What is the difference between Pralines and Turtles? The turtles contain pecans and chocolate, the pralines do not. Pralines use Almonds in the recipe, Homemade Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel, uses pecans.

What nuts are in chocolate turtles? ›

Ingredients : 'SUGAR, PECANS, CORN SYRUP, NONFAT MILK, COCOA BUTTER CHOCOLATE, PALM OIL, INVERT SUGAR SYRUP, MILKFAT, AND LESS THAN 1.5% OF LACTOSE, SODIUM CASEINATE, SOY LECITHIN, SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR. '

Is A turtle Egg Edible? ›

Maldivians have been collecting turtle eggs for centuries, seeing them as a legitimate ocean food source comparable to fish. The eggs are also believed to have aphrodisiacal properties. But the egg collectors are now regarded as a threat to the survival of the turtles.

Do turtle candy have peanuts? ›

TURTLES Classic Recipe Ingredients

Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla Flavour, Salt), Caramel (Glucose, Sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Water, Modified Palm Oil, Salt, Natural Vanilla Flavour), Pecans. May contain peanuts and other tree nuts.

Why do humans take turtle eggs? ›

Some cultures believe sea turtle eggs are aphrodisiacs. There is however, no scientific basis to this belief. In other cultures it is believed that eating them leads to a long life.

What year did turtle candy come out? ›

It was in 1916 in the windy city of Chicago that George DeMet brought the Turtle to life. Back then it only came in one variety, which was caramel, pecans, and chocolate. Since peanuts tended to be the nut of choice in candies, we imagine that using pecans must have been quite scandalous!

Why is it called a turtle brownie? ›

The shape of them with a hump of caramel in the middle resembles a turtle shell, hence the name. I've turned one of my favorite fudgy cocoa brownie recipes into the ultimate decadent treat by adding pecans, chocolate chips and drizzles of salted caramel to deliver a nostalgic taste of that famous confection!

What candy did Forrest Mars make? ›

Forrest Edward Mars Sr.

He is best known for introducing Milky Way (1924) and Mars (1932) chocolate bars, and M&M's (1941) chocolate, as well as orchestrating the launch of Uncle Ben's Rice. He was the son of candy company Mars, Inc.

What are the ingredients in turtles bites? ›

Ingredients. Sugar, Pecans, Unsweetened Chocolate, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Skim Milk Powder, Cocoa Butter, Invert Syrup, Butter Oil (Milk), Salt, Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Sodium Caseinate (Milk), Artificial Flavor, Natural Flavor, Natural & Artificial Flavor.

What is turtle Flavour? ›

Turtles are a type of sweet which was developed in the early 1900s that has nuts, caramel and chocolate. It looked like a turtle so that's what they called it. Now if something has those flavors they use the familiar name to describe the taste of it.

What does turtles chocolate taste like? ›

The dark chocolate turtle is sweet and chewy. The caramel is semi-soft, stretchy, and – well, pretty bland. It's just sweet. There are no buttery, salty, or burnt sugar notes.

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