Homemade Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel

Here’s a decadent and surprisingly easy treat: Homemade Turtle Candy — made with toasted pecans, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate. It’s the perfect combination of nutty, sweet, and salty, and ideal for gifting or holiday trays.

🐢 Homemade Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel

🕒 Total Time: ~45 minutes (includes cooling)

Makes: ~24 turtle candies

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Base:

2 cups pecan halves, toasted
Optional: a pinch of sea salt for sprinkling

For the Caramel:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Topping:

1½ cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil or neutral oil (optional, for shine)

🔪 Instructions:

1. Toast the Pecans (optional but highly recommended):

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 6–8 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool.

2. Arrange the Pecans:

Line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.
Group 3–4 pecan halves into clusters (like turtle “legs”) spaced a couple inches apart.

3. Make the Caramel:

In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula.
Bring to a gentle boil and continue cooking until it reaches 235–240°F (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer (about 5–7 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

4. Assemble the Turtles:

Carefully spoon about 1 tablespoon of hot caramel over each pecan cluster.
Let sit at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes, until caramel is set.

5. Melt the Chocolate:

In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil (if using) until smooth.

6. Top with Chocolate:

Spoon 1–2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over each caramel cluster.
Optional: sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt before chocolate sets.

7. Cool & Set:

Let the candies cool at room temp or refrigerate until the chocolate is firm (about 15–30 minutes).

🧊 Storage:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for 2–3 weeks.
For longer storage, freeze (separate layers with parchment).

🍫 Variations:

Use white or milk chocolate for different flavor profiles.
Add a small dab of peanut butter between caramel and pecans.
Make it salted caramel style by adding a pinch of sea salt to the caramel itself.