Turtle chocolates are an easy holiday treat that you won’t be able to stop eating! Make this crock pot candy recipe with just 5 ingredients.
Perfectly roasted pecans, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate come together for one incredibly scrumptious treat.
And it’s so easy to make, it just about cooks itself!
Combine these pecan turtles with some Peppermint Oreo Candy Bark and Microwave Peanut Brittle to make easy holiday gift baskets!
No Bake Avalanche Cookies make a great addition as well, and you can get creative with mix-ins to make all kinds of different flavors.
How To Make Turtle Chocolates
Simply dump the ingredients into your slow cooker, stir well, and scoop.
Then, add some chocolate drizzle and garnish. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
You should be able to get about 5 dozen pieces out of this recipe, but that will depend on how small or large your scoops are.
Helpful Tips & Tricks
- Make A Big Batch: You can easily double the recipe, but the caramels will start to get a little gritty if the crockpot candy isn’t scooped out quickly enough. If you know you can’t go quickly, it may be better to make two separate batches.
- Use Cookie Sheets: Line sheet pans with parchment to save counter space, especially if you are working on other treats. Once the turtle candy is scooped out, you can move the pans to another area to cool.
- Cool Quickly: If needed, pop the trays in the refrigerator to set the candy faster.
- Use Mini Muffin Liners: This is a great option when making treat boxes for gifts. Just place the liners in a few mini muffin pans so the pecan turtles hold their shape. Keep in mind, it may take a bit longer for them to cool this way.
What You Will Need To Make Turtle Candy
- Slow Cooker - I recommend using at least a 4-quart sized crock, but larger is better so everything melts evenly.
- 2 Tablespoon Scoop - This not only makes scooping easier, but it guarantees that all of your candies are the same size.
- Parchment Paper - Prevents your treats from sticking and makes clean up a breeze!
FAQ - Common Recipe Questions
Can I toast the pecans first?
Absolutely! You can toast them lightly in a pan or in the oven, but let them cool completely before adding them to the slow cooker.
Can I replace the almond bark with real chocolate?
Almond bark and candy melts are created specifically for melting and contain an emulsifier that keeps the texture smooth without needing to be tempered.
So, you can replace the Baker’s chocolate with a different variety, but the candy coating is necessary for the recipe to work properly.
Does crockpot candy need to be refrigerated?
These will keep just fine at room temperature, but I would recommend storing them in the refrigerator if your kitchen is particularly warm.
Otherwise, the ingredients will start to separate, and the texture can become gritty once they firm up again.
You can keep these chilled for at least a month. Or, freeze for even longer but let them thaw a little before serving.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Crock Pot Candy Recipe Video
To see us make the recipe from start to finish, watch the video at the top of this page.Yield: 144 (1 tablespoon candies)
Turtle Chocolates Crockpot Candy
Turtle chocolates are an easy holiday treat that you won’t be able to stop eating! Make this crock pot candy recipe with just 5 ingredients.
Prep time: 25 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 25 M
Ingredients
- 16 ounces whole raw pecans (reserve 1/2 cup for garnish)
- 24 ounces chocolate flavored candy coating (almond bark or candiquik)
- 2 ounces (1/2 bar) German chocolate bar (by Baker's)
- 1 (11 ounce) bag caramel bits
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Layer pecans, then candy coating, then chocolate bar into crockpot (I used a 5 quart). Cover. Cook for 1 hour on low temperature. Do not stir. After 1 hour stir mixture and continue to cook, stirring every 15-20 minutes for another hour (a total of 2 hours). Once mixture has completely come together, stir in caramel bits and turn off the heat. Cover for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile line counter top or table with a long piece of parchment paper.
- Stir. Use 2 table spoons to scoop out candy from crockpot and scoop it onto parchment paper. Make sure candy is not touching.
- Meanwhile, melt 2 cups chocolate chips and chop 1/2 cup pecans. Drizzle over turtles and garnish with chopped pecans.
- Allow to set completely.
- Serve and enjoy!
DONNA'S NOTES
- You can double the recipe, but the caramels will start to get a little gritty in the candy if not scooped out quickly enough. So, be careful.
- The photos above are from a double batch that I made. Scoop fast.
Recipe developed by Donna Elick forThe Slow Roasted Italian
Copyright ©2015 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2015 The Slow Roasted Italian – All rights reserved.
Originally published December 2015, updated and republished November2020
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miammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm merci beaucoup
ReplyDeleteWhat are RAW pecans? Do I have to go buy them in the shell. Not gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteNot roasted. Most stores have these. Just check the label.
DeleteMost nuts for cooking are sold raw, shelled, in bags. Raw means not already cooked here.
DeleteI would think they are just shelled pecans.
DeleteThey are sold in the baking aisle (not candy or snack)of stores. They are labeled raw right on them. Fishers and Diamond are the most common brands that sell them.
DeleteThey are found in the baking aisle of stores (not snack ailes) Fishers and Diamond are the most common brands.They say raw right on them.
Deletehow do you clean the crock pot.|? I leftover carmel in the crockpot and have no idea how to clean it...
DeleteJust heat up and melt again...while warm it wipes right out ...then wash in dish soap till clean and wipe dry.
DeleteThey have shelled Pecans in bags
ReplyDeleteYou can purchase shelled pecans
ReplyDeleteRaw just means not roasted. When you buy them in the store without the shell, that's raw. I would only use pecans in the Shell if they came from my Grandma's tree. I'm trying this out this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIs there any reason NOT to use toasted pecans? They taste so much better!!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely toast them lightly in a skillet or oven..so must richer tasting.
DeleteGo to Sams,Wal-mart or grocery stot store
ReplyDeleteYou can buy them already shelled in a bag.
ReplyDeleteAny Bulk Barn or store that sells natural foods
ReplyDeleteApproximately how many does a single batch make?
ReplyDeleteSays 12
DeleteI made this recipe and had about 4 - 5 dozen. I toasted the pecans and they were really good
DeleteWhen you melt chocolate chips add a little oil to them. Really makes them shine.
DeleteCan you use real carmels instead of Carmel chips?
ReplyDeleteCan you use real carmels instead of Carmel chips?
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same thing? What is a Carmel chip anyway?
DeleteWould really like to know this too!
DeleteCarmel bits are sold in baking isle at most stores. Just look for the label. They are tiny unwrapped Carmel for baking.
DeleteHave your tried the while chocolate almond bark? Crock pot peanut clusters are the best ever and they have the milk chocolate chips, Bakers German Chocolate baking bar, and white almond bark. Also, didn't see a reply to how much a single batch makes? thanks in advance as will be trying these.
ReplyDeleteSays 12. I would imagine the size you make. Yes I have the peanut clusters you are referring to a few years ago. Also had made almond clusters.
DeleteDont be scared to try even its not exactly the same product be creative...
ReplyDeleteAbout how many pieces does this make?
ReplyDeletePicture shows "whole" pecan half, but recipe says to chop the 1/2 cup. Ithink whole half looks good t I bet the chopped is easier to eat. I too would roast thepecans first.
ReplyDeletePicture shows whole pecan half with chopped pecans for garnish. You use both forms. Pecan halves look so pretty. I just wish this recipe made more than 12 for such an investment of time. Call me Miss Piggy ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen almond bark like that where I live. Is there anything else I could use?
ReplyDeleteIt is next to chocolate chips and German Chocolate Bar. Caramel chips there as well.
DeleteI made these today. They are very easy. The recipe makes 64 pieces.
ReplyDeleteHow do u know how much of what?
DeleteI put pecans, chocolate almond bark, bakers German chocolate cooked low for one hour. Stirred and cooked low for one hour. My chocolate is not creamy as in the video. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteLess cooking time
DeleteDo you need to grease the crock pot with butter or Pam?
ReplyDeleteWhere can u find the recepie so i know how much of what
ReplyDeleteHow long will these keep at room temperature and can you make in advance and freeze?
ReplyDeleteDid you get an answer about this? I’m curious as I’m looking to make for a Christmas but would like to make sometime this week. Thanks!
DeleteI would try stacking the bars in layers inside a one gallon sealable storage/freezer bag with parchment/baking paper between each layer. That or use airtight plastic food storage containers also stacking w/parchment/baking paper. I’m sure I will be making and storing mine a couple of months in advance.
Deletein the following paragraph what do you mean "not touching" - not touching what? you're to spoon out onto parchment paper, it has to touch. . . . - ??? "Stir. Use 2 spoons to scoop out candy from crockpot and scoop it onto parchment paper. Make sure candy is not touching."
ReplyDeleteMake sure the candy pieces are not touching one another. If they are they will get stuck together. Enjoy!
DeleteMade a couple of batches of these! To answer a couple of questions, here we go... raw pecans can be found on baking aisle in grocery, resist the temptation to stir during the first hour, depending on brand almond bark you use, it may need just the smallest amount of shortening (crisco) start with a 1/2 teaspoon and go from their to make smooth and creamy as in video. Don't add too much though. The recipe calls for whole pecan halves and you will divide using the majority in the recipe and chop the remaining for topping.
ReplyDeleteWhat about clean up ? Is it a mess ?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't use Pam or something like it on the sides and bottom, it will stick and be hard to clean.
Deleteuse disposable crock-pot liners
DeleteWhen you empty the crock pot, fill with hot water and wash. It's easier to do it now than letting it sit. You can use a rubber spatula to remove the excess before washing with the water in the pot.
DeleteCan you use real chocolate? I don't like almond bark.
ReplyDeleteCan you replace the bark for real chocolate my family not a fan of bark?
ReplyDeleteYou can use chocolate chips to get the same type of candy. Your choice of flavor - I'd do milk chocolate with this, but other taste buds are different. You can also use the wafers, although my guess is the price might be a little higher. Hard to know exactly how much, since oz of chocolate chips would be different than oz of chocolate chips. They will also melt much quicker than the larger chunks, so your timing will be less. I don't use the 2 hours, only 1 - you aren't "cooking" this, just melting the chocolate rather than using a double boiler or microwave to do it.
DeleteWhat about real caramel?
ReplyDeleteHey, can you use rolo's caramel candies to replace some of the caramel and chocolate? In what quantities?
ReplyDeleteIm allergic to coconut can I use extra milk chocolate in place if the German chocolate
ReplyDeleteWhere are you all finding the videos for Donna's recipes? I've looked all over and have never found a video yet.
ReplyDelete