3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Pecan Turtles Recipe Is Better Than the Candy Store by Elisa Schmitz

Sometimes, you need a bite of chocolate – just a bite! – and you need it right now. When that chocolate craving hits, it's good to have a go-to chocolate candy recipe that takes only a few ingredients, comes together quickly and satisfies your raging sweet tooth.

This incredibly easy and delicious dark chocolate pecan turtles recipe checks all those boxes – and then some. The gluten-free chocolate candy recipe has just three ingredients and is simply decadent. The good news, though, is that dark chocolate offers many health benefits, such as that it may protect heart health, improve cholesterol levels and enhance mood (obviously)! Pecans offer some health benefits, too, with research suggesting that pecans may help improve heart health, brain function and blood sugar control.

This dark chocolate and caramel candy recipe answers the call of your sweet tooth perfectly. With crunchy pecans, sweet caramel and rich chocolate, these bite-sized turtles are a chocoholic's dream come true. The best part is you can get your chocolate fix – one bite at a time – in less time than it would take to run to the candy store. Plus, they're so much better than anything you could buy there!

To make this low-sodium nutty chocolate dessert recipe, you will need three simple ingredients: chopped pecans, caramel and dark chocolate. The flaky sea salt is optional. This easy recipe comes together in only about 10 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for them to set as they chill in the refrigerator! Serve these tasty treats for dessert or as a sweet snack anytime. They make a lovely gift, too!

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Cuisine: American 
Prep Time: 5 minutes plus 30 minutes to chill 
Cook Time: 5 minutes 
Total Time: 10 minutes plus 30 minutes to chill 
Servings: 14

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup caramel (about 15 caramel squares) 
• 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped (or dark chocolate chips)
 
• pinches of flaky sea salt 
(optional)

Helpful Products

• Flaky Sea Salt
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Rubber Spatula
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Airtight Containers
• Muffin Tins
• Mini Muffin Tins
• Baking Liners

Recipe Notes

• You can use chopped pecans or pecan halves. I also made a couple of these with chopped walnuts and they were equally delicious!

• You can use caramel squares or thick caramel sauce. If you use caramel sauce, it may not harden up as much as the squares but it will still taste amazing! You also can make these without caramel at all (just chocolate and nuts).

• You can use standard size baking liners or baking liners cut down in half, which is what I did. If you'd like to make even smaller turtles, you could use mini baking liners.

• Store leftover candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Here's how to make it:

1. Place 14 baking liners on a cookie sheet, a piece of parchment paper or on a table or counter (which is what I did). Place pecans on the bottom of each liner, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
   
2. Grab a microwave-safe bowl and place the caramel squares in it. Microwave the caramels, 30 seconds at a time, stirring every 30 seconds. This should take about a minute or so. After the caramel is melted, drizzle melted caramel over each baking liner, ensuring the nuts are covered.
   
3. In another microwave-safe bowl, place the dark chocolate.
   
4. Microwave the chocolate, 30 seconds at a time, stirring every 30 seconds. This should take about a minute and a half or so.
   
5. After the chocolate is melted, drizzle the chocolate over the caramel.
   
6. Sprinkle with pinches of flaked sea salt, if desired.
   
7. Place candy in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has firmed up and set. Serve.
   

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 67

Total Fat: 4g

Saturated Fat: 1.7g

Cholesterol: 2mg

Sodium: 14mg

Total Carbohydrate: 7.3g

Dietary Fiber: 0.5g

Total Sugars: 6.1g

Protein: 0.9g

Vitamin D: 0mcg

Calcium: 20mg

Iron: 0mg

Potassium: 43mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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