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Home » Cookies Barks & Bars » Homemade Pretzel Turtles

December 19, 2019

Homemade Pretzel Turtles

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Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Christmas Light Cookies
Homemade Pretzel Turtles are one of the easiest pretzel treats to make and are the perfect combination of sweet and salty! Salty pretzel topped with soft caramel, milk chocolate and toasted pecans. The ultimate crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty no-bake candy! #pretzelturtles #pretzelturtlespioneerwoman #pretzelturtlescaramel #pretzelturtleschristmas #pretzelturtlesholidaytreats #pretzelturtlesrecipe #turtlescandy #turtlescandyeasy #turtlescandyhomemade #turtlescandypretzel #christmasturtlescandy

Homemade Pretzel Turtles are one of the easiest pretzel treats to make and are the perfect combination of sweet and salty!! Salty pretzel topped with soft caramel, milk chocolate and toasted pecans. The ultimate crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty no-bake candy!

Homemade Pretzel Turtles

Homemade candy like Peanut Butter Buckeyes, Homemade Reese’s Bars and Chocolate Nutella Truffles is such a guilty pleasure of mine and when you combine salty and sweet, there is nothing better.  That’s why these Homemade Pretzel Turtles are my new favorite no-bake treat.

Let’s talk a minute about time management and holiday baking.

I am currently in the middle of a ridiculous Christmas cookie baking marathon and I as I look around the dumpster fire that is my kitchen right now (there is flour ON the dog!), it occurs to me that I have lots of holiday baked goods and nada when it comes to no-bake holiday cookies.

Are Pretzel Turtles technically no-bake Christmas cookies? No.

Do we care? Also, No.

Homemade Turtles are the bomb!!!! We are talking a sweet, chewy, salty, crunchy pop-them-in-your-mouth bite full of chocolate happiness with just FOUR ingredients.  

Pretzel Turtles

WHY YOU NEED THESE PRETZEL TURTLES IN YOUR LIFE

When it comes to easy no-bake desserts, these Pretzel Turtles win hands down.  You are combining salty pretzels with soft, chewy caramel, milk chocolate and then top them off with toasted pecans.  Life gets no better!

  • Pretzel Turtles are the perfect combination of salty and sweet and made using only four ingredients!
  • This no-bake pretzel treat candy is perfect for snacking, gift giving and sharing.
  • These Homemade Turtles are made using everyday ingredients and this recipe is completely approachable regardless how skilled (or unskilled!) you may be in the kitchen.
  • This is a great easy candy recipe perfect to get the kids involved in the kitchen.  Be prepared for half of your inventory to be eaten during the process 🙂
  • When it comes to the holidays, these are a great gift and you can make a huge amount all at once, cross everyone off your list and never even have to change out of your Cookie Monster jammie bottoms.

To make these Homemade Pretzel Turtles, you will need:

  • Mini pretzels
  • Soft caramels (I use Werther’s Original Soft Caramels)
  • Good quality milk chocolate chips
  • Whole shelled pecans

chocolate and a pan of turtles

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PRETZEL TURTLES

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees, lining a large baking pan with parchment paper and spreading your pecans evenly out on your pan. Toast your pecans for about five minutes, then remove your pecans to a bowl and set aside. 

pretzel turtles pretzel laid out on pan

Lay out your pretzels on that same pan and then add a soft caramel on top of each pretzel. 

pretzels covered with soft caramel for homemade turtles

Bake for about 3-4 minutes.  You want them soft but not completely melted.

melted caramel on pretzel turtles

Then grab your bowl of toasted pecans and gently press a pecan down into the soft caramel so that it melts down into the pretzel. Repeat until all of your pretzels are topped with a pecan.

pretzel turtles on a pan

Set your pan aside while your melt the chocolate.  Add your chocolate chips to a work bowl on top of a double boiler. I use a standard cook pot and place a glass or stainless bowl so that it sits on top.

chocolate in a double boiler
Add 1 cup of water in the bottom pan of the double boiler and simmer on medium. As the top bowl warms from the steam of the hot water below it, stir the melting chocolate until it is smooth. Remove the melted chocolate from the stove.

Remove your pretzel turtles from the pan.. or move them all to one end if you are using a jelly roll pan. 

Pour a small spoonful (about 1/2 tablespoon) of chocolate on your parchment paper.

melted chocolate for turtles

Immediately place one of you pretzel turtles on top and lightly press your turtle into your chocolate.

homemade pretzel turtle

Once all of your Pretzel Turtles are set in chocolate, move your pan to your refrigerator for 30 minutes to let your homemade candy set up.

DO I NEED TO USE SOFT CARAMELS?

My short answer is No, you do not need to use soft caramels for these Pretzel Turtles.  However, I find regular ‘old-school’ caramels to be too hard to bite into and the soft caramels start off already soft so they are perfect for homemade turtle candy. You can also use caramel sauce but I find that to be too runny and messy for my taste.

soft caramels for turtles

HOW TO KEEP PRETZEL TURTLES

You can store these turtles at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. If your house is warm and you see that your chocolate is starting to melt, move them to the refrigerator.

CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE TURTLES?

You can definitely freeze these homemade turtle candies. I like to layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper or wax paper, which prevents them from sticking together. Freeze for 2-3 months, then defrost at room temperature.

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS TURTLE CANDY RECIPE

  • Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the melted chocolate for a bit of extra flavor 
  • You can make this easy candy recipe with dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate.  
  • Toast your pecans by spreading them out on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. You can also add them to a hot non-stick skillet, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes.
  • Get your ingredients organized before assembling.  Unwrap your caramels and have them ready instead of unwrapping them each as you go.
  • Once all of your Pretzel Turtles are set in chocolate, move your pan to your refrigerator for 30 minutes to let your homemade candy set up.

pan of homemade turtles

MORE EASY NO BAKE TREATS YOU WILL LOVE

  • Pumpkin Pudding Parfaits
  • Chocolate Covered Halloween Pretzels
  • Halloween Candy Bark
  • Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
  • Buckeye Dip

Enjoy!

Homemade Pretzel Turtles

If you’ve tried these Homemade Pretzel Turtles or any other recipe on this website, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment. I love hearing from you! 

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Homemade Pretzel Turtles

Homemade Pretzel Turtles

Homemade Pretzel Turtles are one of the easiest pretzel treats to make and are the perfect combination of sweet and salty!! Salty pretzel topped with soft caramel, milk chocolate and toasted pecans. The ultimate crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty no-bake candy!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 turtles
Calories: 48.7kcal
Author: Heather - A Wicked Whisk

Ingredients

  • 24 Mini Pretzels
  • 24 Individually wrapped Werther's Original Soft Caramels unwrapped
  • 8 ounces Milk chocolate chips
  • 24 Whole Pecans

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees, lining a large baking pan with parchment paper and spreading your pecans evenly out on your pan. Toast your pecans for about five minutes, then remove your pecans to a bowl and set aside. 
  • Lay out your pretzels on that same pan and then add a soft caramel on top of each pretzel.  Bake for about 3-4 minutes.  You want them soft but not completely melted.
  • Then grab your bowl of toasted pecans and gently press a pecan down into the soft caramel so that it melts down into the pretzel. Repeat until all of your pretzels are topped with a pecan.
  • Set your pan aside while your melt the chocolate.  Add your chocolate chips to a work bowl on top of a double boiler. I use a standard cook pot and place a glass or stainless bowl so that it sits on top.
  • Add 1 cup of water in the bottom pan of the double boiler and simmer on medium. As the top bowl warms from the steam of the hot water below it, stir the melting chocolate until it is smooth. Remove the melted chocolate from the stove.
  • Remove your pretzel turtles from the pan.. or move them all to one end if you are using a jelly roll pan.  Pour a small spoonful (about 1/2 tablespoon) of chocolate on your parchment paper and then immediately place one of you pretzel turtles on top and lightly press your turtle into your chocolate.
  • Once all of your Pretzel Turtles are set in chocolate, move your pan to your refrigerator for 30 minutes to let your homemade candy to set up.

Notes

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS TURTLE CANDY RECIPE

  • Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the melted chocolate for a bit of extra flavor 
  • You can make this easy candy recipe with dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate.  
  • Toast your pecans by spreading them out on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. You can also add them to a hot non-stick skillet, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes.
  • Get your ingredients organized before assembling.  Unwrap your caramels and have them ready instead of unwrapping them each as you go.
  • Once all of your Pretzel Turtles are set in chocolate, move your pan to your refrigerator for 30 minutes to let your homemade candy set up.
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Nutrition

Serving: 24g | Calories: 48.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.2g | Protein: 0.6g | Fat: 2.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 9.7mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.6g | Calcium: 0.2mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @AWickedWhisk or tag #AWickedWhisk!

 

Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Christmas Light Cookies

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Filed Under: Cookies Barks & Bars, Dessert Ideas, Holiday Recipes, No Bake Desserts Tagged With: homemade turtles, pretzel turtles, turtles

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Hi there!
I am Heather and I love to create easy, family friendly recipes that anyone can make, regardless of their expertise in the kitchen.
Here at A Wicked Whisk, I share easy 30 minute meal ideas and delicious comfort food recipes.
.. because great food doesn't always need to be complicated.
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