I love chocolate turtles! I haven’t had one since about 1999. Making these homemade turtles were fun, as this was the first time I made them. There are plenty of different ways to make them. You can use chopped pecans, pecan halves, as well as whole pecans. I used roasted coffee beans for the heads, but you can use pecans. Meanwhile, enjoy these luscious candies or give them as gifts.
Print
Gluten Free Chocolate Turtles
51
Yield: Makes 12 large chocolate turtles
Gluten free chocolate turtles using decadent homemade caramel and rich milk chocolate.
(1-1/2 cups) chopped gluten-free chocolate (Hershey's) (3/4 cup melted) (or Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips, for dairy-free)
Oil for pan
Instructions:
Oil a 12-cup muffin tin. Set aside.
Make the caramel in the above-linked recipe and distribute evenly among the cups.
Add 4 pecan halves and smaller pieces to the caramel. Lightly press them into the caramel. Refrigerate until soft-set, 20 - 22 minutes. You can also use some caramel and shape them into round heads and attach it over a piece of pecan that is pushed into the caramel.
Once they are firm enough to unmold, remove them from the pan using a plastic knife or small rubber spatula.
Push pecan pieces into the caramel and nut mixture where the legs should go. If using pecans for the head, place a quarter of a pecan piece where the head should go. If using chocolate covered coffee beans for heads, wait to add them.
Melt the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering hot water or in a double boiler. Stir until the chocolate melts.
Spoon the chocolate over each pecan cluster, covering them completely. After the chocolate sets a bit, attach the chocolate-covered coffee beans, if using. Refrigerate the chocolate turtles until set, at least 45 minutes.
Store in the refrigerator until ready serve.
Tips
Variations:
Add some crushed gluten free pretzels to the caramel.
Top with coarse salt prior to the chocolate setting.
View Comments
The link to the salted caramel recipe doesn't work. Can you give me the recipe to the salted caramel used in this recipe?
Hi Karen,
Sorry about that. Here's the link. I also updated the recipe link - http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-caramel-candy-recipe/.
Carla