Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (2024)

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Another delicious recipe from my grandmother’s cookbook, these Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars are a fun, easy bar version of a Turtle candy. They’re sweet, salty and perfect for parties!

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (1)

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (2)

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars

So the weather here has been kind of crazy lately. Not Boston crazy, but Atlanta crazy. Like 60s one weekend, then freezing rain and ice a week or two later. Like, how does that work?

About this time last year we had the Snowpocalypse. Ice for days and stranded cars everywhere. Fortunately the hubs mad me leave work earlier, so I ended up getting home just as it was starting to get bad.

The weather we’ve had this week has been nothing compared to that, but it is seriously cold. And even though the roads are fine, the ice on our bushes and trees is pretty thick. Some people lost power and some trees were down, but we were fine. The hubs wrapped some bungee cords around a couple trees that are kind of small and were starting to bend and look like they might snap.

With the warmer weather we’d had, some of our flower bulbs had actually started coming up and sadly they will most likely die now. I’m not sure what they’re called, but they are pretty purple flowers…though not this year.

Supposedly there’s a chance for more snow and ice this weekend. We’ll see. I know it it’ll be nothing compared to Boston no matter what.

Maybe I should make another batch of these bars to keep us company though, just in case? They’re quick and easy to make.

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (3)
Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (4)

After making Moist and Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies and Pineapple Coconut Bars from my grandmother’s cookbook, I decided these bars looked like fun ones to make next.

The recipe is actually cut out of what looks like a magazine. It looks like it was ad for Nestle product. You know, like the ones you’ll often see in magazines now? With a recipe using the product?

And though I think thy are basically like a bar version of turtle candies, that’s partly because I used pecans instead of walnuts. They were called “Triple Treats Candy” in the recipe I have. Caramel + walnuts + chocolate = triple candy. Smart, right? You could use walnuts or pecans.

Despite being an old recipe, I had to make these bars several times to get them just right. The original recipe calls for a 14 oz bag of caramels. I’m guessing they used to sell a 14 oz bag, but they don’t anymore. Now it’s 11 oz. And rather than have a recipe where you use a full bag plus a little of another, I decided to alter the recipe a bit so that the problem was solved.

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (5)
Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (6)

The first time around, there was too much butter and water added. After cutting them into bars, the caramel slowly oozed out all over the place. They were stacked on a plate and ended up as one big brick.

The second batch didn’t have enough butter and water and those were like trying to bite into a brick.

Finally the third batch was just right. Soft enough to bite into but firm enough that they don’t melt.

The original recipe doesn’t call for the salt on top, but I’m totally into chocolate, caramel and salt these days, so I added it. Feel free to leave it off though.

Yay for old recipes! 🙂

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (7)

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Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (8)

Recipe

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9-12 Bars
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Another delicious recipe from my grandmother’s cookbook, these Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars are a fun, easy bar version of a Turtle candy. They’re sweet, salty and perfect for parties!

Ingredients

  • 12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips, about 2 cups, divided
  • 2 tbsp shortening, divided
  • 11 oz bag caramels
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • sea salt

Instructions

1. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2. Place half of the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals of about 30 seconds at a time, until melted and smooth.

3. Pour chocolate mixture into pan and spread into an even layer. Refrigerate until firm.

4. Melt caramels, butter and water in a pan over low to medium heat until melted and smooth.

5. Stir in chopped pecans.

6. Remove pan from refrigerator and spread caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate layer.

7. Place pan back into refrigerator until tacky, about 15 minutes.

8. Place remaining half of the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals of about 30 seconds at a time, until melted and smooth.

9. Pour chocolate mixture over caramel and spread into an even layer. Place in refrigerator until firm.

10. Cut into squares.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 262
  • Sugar: 19.2 g
  • Sodium: 501.4 mg
  • Fat: 12.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36.1 g
  • Protein: 2.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Filed Under:

  • Bars and Brownies
  • Christmas
  • Fall and Holiday Favorites
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • No Bake Desserts
  • Other Sweets
  • Recipes
  • Sweets and Treats
  • Thanksgiving

Enjoy!

Pecan Caramel Turtle Candy Bars | Easy Salted Caramel Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is caramel pecan called turtle? ›

Developed in 1918 by DeMet's Candy Company, these delectable bites were made of pecan pieces that were coated in caramel and then enveloped inside a glob of gourmet chocolate. And why were they called turtles? Because they actually looked like turtles with a large, chocolate covered shell.

What is turtle candy made of? ›

Turtles are a candy made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, with a shape resembling a turtle. The name is trademarked by DeMet's Candy Company.

What nut is in a turtle? ›

Three ingredients that can perk up any palate or day, Turtles ® clusters are bursting with crunchy pecans, creamy caramel, and all wrapped up in luscious chocolate. The taste of the original caramel nut cluster is made to delight.

What are turtle sweets? ›

Turtles are green turtles shaped sweets with a yellow belly that are a really popular sweet with the young and old. These sweets are soft and are therefore ideal for Children's Birthday party favours, gifts and also really popular at weddings.

What do Southerners call pecans? ›

Here is a list based on popularity: pee-KAHN — most dominant phrasing nationwide. PEE-can — most dominant on the east coast. pick-AHN — popular in areas like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Who made the original turtle candy? ›

Turtle Time

It was in 1916 in the windy city of Chicago that George DeMet brought the Turtle to life. Back then it only came in one variety, which was caramel, pecans, and chocolate.

What makes turtle flavor? ›

A Culver's Classic! We begin with creamy Vanilla Fresh Frozen Custard and swirl in ribbons of old fashioned salted caramel, novelty chocolate, and toasted pecan pieces.

How do you melt caramel? ›

The easiest way to melt caramel is in the microwave using a plastic or glass bowl - one with a handle is best. You can also use a water bath, electric or gas melter, or larger machines depending on your preference and the amount of caramel you are looking to melt.

What is seafoam candy made from? ›

Put sugar, water, vinegar, and syrup in a heavy 4-quart saucepan (cast iron if you have it). Gently heat mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar has dissolved and syrup has melted. Bring to a boil, cover, and boil for 3 minutes.

Is A turtle Egg Edible? ›

Maldivians have been collecting turtle eggs for centuries, seeing them as a legitimate ocean food source comparable to fish. The eggs are also believed to have aphrodisiacal properties. But the egg collectors are now regarded as a threat to the survival of the turtles.

Why do humans take turtle eggs? ›

Some cultures believe sea turtle eggs are aphrodisiacs. There is however, no scientific basis to this belief. In other cultures it is believed that eating them leads to a long life.

What are the yellow balls in turtle? ›

Suppon sashimi "raw soft shell turtle" The round yellow balls are its eggs amongst various organs.

What is the Flavour of turtle sweets? ›

These jelly turtles from Haribo are turtley awesome. Delicious bubblegum flavour gummy sweets with a sweet foam gum. Packed in a great value tub which contains approximately 150 pieces , these are the perfect addition to your sweet tub range.

Where did turtle candy originate? ›

The chocolate turtle today is a trademarked candy from Chicago's DeMet's Candy Company. However, candy history tells us that the "turtle" originated in San Francisco during the early 1900s. The chocolate candy with caramel and pecans was the creation of a candy chef named Louis Gordon Hooper.

What does turtle flavor taste like? ›

Swirling with notes of creamy caramel, buttery pecan and smooth dark chocolate flavors, Turtle Love® flavored coffee is a dark roast that will have you head over heels at first sip.

Why is it called turtle pecan ice cream? ›

The inspiration for this ice cream came from Turtles Chocolates. Creamy caramel and crunchy pecans coated in rich chocolate. Mmmmmm, I love turtles.

Why do they call the dessert a turtle? ›

A turtle pie is a dessert pie, originating in the United States. The turtle pie got its name due to the caramel, chocolate and pecans that are used to top the pies, which are said to have a similarity in flavor to that of DeMet's Turtles, which use similar ingredients.

Why is turtle called turtle? ›

Before the 14th century in Old English, “turtle” was a word for what we now call a turtledove. The word “turtle” was meant to sound like a turtledove's cooing. Only in the 1600s did the word turtle become a word for the reptiles, when the French tortue was misunderstood as sounding like the English “turtle.”

Why is it called a turtle cake? ›

This cheesecake, using caramel, chocolate, and nuts, is named after Turtles, a confection developed in the United States by Johnson's Candy Company in 1918, so named because the shape of the treat resembles a turtle.

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