Crockpot Turtle Candy + Video
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Crockpot Turtle Candy is shareable, snackable, and so tasty it’s irresistible! 5 ingredients are all you need for a crunchy, nutty, chocolatey dessert that you can basically make with your eyes closed! Even so, my caramel pecan clusters are sure to be the most satisfying sweet served this Christmas.
Don’t believe me? Click on the video in this post to see just how easy this turtle recipe is to make!
Crockpot Turtle Candy
Pecan turtles are small, sweet, and so easy to make!
These little turtle clusters are basically a bundle of rich chocolate, sticky caramel, and roasted pecans – the three tastiest things in the world!!
These flavors just scream “holiday” for me, so I just love to drop them into little gift bags to give away during Christmas!
Is it obvious yet that I just love crockpot candy??
Okay, you’ve heard of crockpot candy with pecans. Now get ready for… all of that stuff but on apple slices!
Then, there’s this huge air fryer caramel pecan cookie that I basically eat by myself in one sitting.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Raw Pecans – Toast them in a pan or oven first if you’d like to! Just let them cool off before tossing them into the slow cooker.
- Almond Bark – You could also use a chocolate flavored candy coating or Candiquik – but those are your only options! I explain why in the FAQ section below.
- German Chocolate Bar – This is my favorite baking chocolate! It’s dark yet sweet.
- Caramel Bits – Caramel chips work fine, too. Just don’t use regular caramels. They’re way stickier and don’t play well with others!!
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Dark chocolate could add a tasty bitter edge if you want to swap them out!
Milk and white chocolate are options, too – super sweet ones at that!
How to Make Crockpot Turtle Candy
You’ll want a slow cooker, baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and a 2 tablespoon scoop for this turtle candy recipe – and, well, any recipe for crockpot candy with caramel and pecans.
Start off by throwing everything into the slow cooker, reserving the chocolate chips and ½ cup of pecans for later.
Once melty and gooey, scoop your turtles onto the prepared baking sheets.
Garnish with the melted chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
Let them all cool to room temperature before serving – you can speed this up by sticking them in the fridge for a bit.
Crockpot Turtle Candy Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Make A Big Batch – Double to feed a crowd! However,
I’d recommend doing so in a couple of batches – caramel has a tendency to get a little gritty if you don’t scoop it out fast enough. - Get Creative With Candy – Most chocolate, nut, and caramel faves will fit right into a batch of crockpot turtle candy.
Other kinds of nuts, dark chocolate, or even M&Ms – just stir them right in! - Make Serving A Breeze – Dollop these delicious caramel pecan clusters into muffin liners as you scoop them out!
Alternatively, cut up an extra sheet of parchment paper into squares and scoop onto the squares for easy separating and serving. - Don’t Burn The Candy! Keep your crockpot on low – don’t get impatient!
Slow and steady gets you silky smooth melted chocolate! (That’s how the saying goes, right?)
Freezing and Storaging Caramel Pecan Clusters
Crockpot turtle candy doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but chilling does help it to last longer and keeps it cool (well, of course!).
So if your kitchen is on the warmer side, play it safe and store in the fridge for up to a month.
You can also freeze ‘em! Just let them thaw a bit in the fridge before serving – they’ll be hard as a rock!
Crockpot Turtle Candy FAQ
A tasty candy, a fun recipe, and a cute name! Basically, it’s all because someone pointed out way back when that pecan clusters look like a turtle shell.
Eventually, the flavor combo (chocolate, caramel, and pecans) became synonymous with the term. Something fun to think about the next time you order a turtle latte!
So here’s the thing about almond bark – it contains an emulsifier that keeps it silky smooth as it melts and firms back up, capturing the other candies into one solid cluster.
Almond bark will need to be replaced with some alternative candy melt instead of a different kind of chocolate. You can replace the German chocolate bar and chocolate chips, though!
Sure! My personal recommendation? Use a double boiler.
Melt the candy coating and chocolate first, stirring regularly until it’s totally melted. Then, mix in the pecans, add the caramel, and remove from the heat.
Then scoop them out as normal! Use a big bowl or make these in multiple batches.
Turtle Chocolates (Crockpot Candy) + Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces whole raw pecans, reserve 1/2 cup for garnish
- 24 ounces chocolate flavored candy coating, almond bark or candiquik
- 2 ounces German chocolate bar (by Baker's), 1/2 bar
- 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!
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2015, updated and republished December 2022
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miammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm merci beaucoup
What are RAW pecans? Do I have to go buy them in the shell. Not gonna happen.
Not roasted. Most stores have these. Just check the label.
Most nuts for cooking are sold raw, shelled, in bags. Raw means not already cooked here.
I would think they are just shelled pecans.
They 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.
They 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.
how do you clean the crock pot.|? I leftover carmel in the crockpot and have no idea how to clean it…
Just heat up and melt again…while warm it wipes right out …then wash in dish soap till clean and wipe dry.
They have shelled Pecans in bags
You can purchase shelled pecans
Raw 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.
Is there any reason NOT to use toasted pecans? They taste so much better!!
I would definitely toast them lightly in a skillet or oven..so must richer tasting.
Go to Sams,Wal-mart or grocery stot store
You can buy them already shelled in a bag.
Any Bulk Barn or store that sells natural foods
Approximately how many does a single batch make?
Says 12
I made this recipe and had about 4 – 5 dozen. I toasted the pecans and they were really good
When you melt chocolate chips add a little oil to them. Really makes them shine.
Can you use real carmels instead of Carmel chips?
Can you use real carmels instead of Carmel chips?
I wondered the same thing? What is a Carmel chip anyway?
Would really like to know this too!
Carmel bits are sold in baking isle at most stores. Just look for the label. They are tiny unwrapped Carmel for baking.
Have 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.
Says 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.
Dont be scared to try even its not exactly the same product be creative…
About how many pieces does this make?
Picture 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.
Picture 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 😉
I've never seen almond bark like that where I live. Is there anything else I could use?
It is next to chocolate chips and German Chocolate Bar. Caramel chips there as well.
I made these today. They are very easy. The recipe makes 64 pieces.
How do u know how much of what?
I 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?
Less cooking time
Do you need to grease the crock pot with butter or Pam?
Where can u find the recepie so i know how much of what
How long will these keep at room temperature and can you make in advance and freeze?
Did 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!
I 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.
in 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."
Make sure the candy pieces are not touching one another. If they are they will get stuck together. Enjoy!
Made 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.