How to Make Them From Scratch
The store-bought candy features a gooey caramel over the pecans, but you can make Chocolate Turtles from scratch using something much easier at home– dates! Have you ever tried date caramel? Dates have a natural caramel-like flavor, and a soft, sticky consistency that make the perfect filling for this recipe. No special equipment needed to make a fancy caramel sauce! To make a turtle, press 4 pecan halves into each date half, making an “X” shape on top. (Like 4 little turtle legs!)
Place the turtles in the freezer to set for 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm. You can serve these right away, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure that the pecan “legs” are sticking out a bit!
Step #3: Complete the look by slicing a few pecan halves in half cross-wise, to make a smaller turtle “head.” Press the half into the top of the turtle, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a nice contrast of sweet and salty flavor.
Update Note: I originally posted this recipe in December 2013, but have updated it in 2020 to make the the treat look more like “turtles.” For the original simple version, use only 1 pecan in each date half, then top with chocolate. It doesn’t look like a turtle, but it still tastes just as good! If you try these Chocolate Turtles, please leave a comment below and let me know how it goes! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too. We can all benefit from each other’s experience. — Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite holiday treat? Be sure to try my easy Vegan Fudge and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies if you haven’t already!
