Slow Cooker Turtle Candy
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This Slow Cooker Turtle Candy recipe is the perfect blend of rich chocolate, yummy caramel, and crunchy pecans—creating a treat that’s hard to resist!
Using a slow cooker for this recipe makes the process surprisingly simple, allowing you to enjoy delicious homemade candy without too much fuss.
Slow Cooker Turtle Candy: A Sweet Delight
Whenever I’m out and about and pass a Dairy Queen, I can’t help it. I have to stop in for a Pecan Cluster Turtle Blizzard—it’s one of my all-time favorite sweet treats. Something about the combination of vanilla ice cream, crunchy pecans, sweet caramel, and chocolate just hits the spot. So, if you’re a fan, too, you’ll love this Slow Cooker Turtle Candy Fecipe!
Of course, there’s no vanilla ice cream in this turtle candy (also known as pecan cluster candy), but the big bite of the rich chocolate and caramel bits totally makes up for it – they are simply irresistible! (If you are more of a fan of white chocolate, be sure to check out this White Chocolate Crockpot Christmas Candy or this White Chocolate Holiday Almond Bark.
And the best part? You can make these delightful turtle candies right at home with minimal effort. Perfect for holiday gifting or enjoying as a personal indulgence, these turtle candies are sure to become a staple in your treat rotation.
Why Make This Slow Cooker Turtle Candy
- Irresistibly Delicious: With their rich, indulgent flavor and blend of textures, these candies are a crowd-pleaser and will be a hit at any gathering or as a special treat at home.
- Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker, you can whip up a batch of these delicious candies without spending too much time standing around the stove.
- Perfect for Gifting: These turtle candies make wonderful holiday gifts, allowing you to share a little homemade love with friends and family.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences or the ingredients on hand.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- 2 cups pecans (plus extra for garnish): Use the raw pecan halves or toast them lightly for added depth of flavor. Walnuts or almonds can also work if preferred.
- 20 ounces chocolate almond bark: Almond Bark provides a smooth melting chocolate. Substitute with chocolate chips plus a tablespoon of shortening for consistency if necessary. (If substituting, you’ll need to stick around for additional stirring if you use the chocolate chips and shortening.)
- 20 ounces vanilla almond bark: Adds sweetness and a nice contrast. White Almond Bark and Vanilla Almond Bark are the same thing. White candy melts can also be used, however they are not quite the same thing as vanilla almond bark.
- 1 cup of dark chocolate melting wafers (like Ghirardelli): Offers a deeper chocolate flavor.
- 1 (11-ounce) bag of caramel bits: These caramel bits hold their shape and blend in well. You can also use soft caramel squares, just chop them up first.
- Sea salt for garnish: Enhances the flavors and adds a touch of sophistication.
How to make the Slow Cooker Turtle Candy
1 Prep: Place pecans in the bottom of the slow cooker. Break up the chocolate and add to the slow cooker over the pecans.
2 Slow cook: Cover and set the slow cooker to low and cook for about an hour or until the chocolate has melted, stirring occasionally.
3 Mix: Once the chocolate has melted, add the caramel bits to the slow cooker. Gently stir the chocolate mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4 Spoon candy onto parchment paper: Line a baking sheet (or your kitchen counter) with parchment paper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the turtle candy onto the parchment paper. Working quickly, sprinkle sea salt over the turtle candy before it has fully set and press a pecan half into the top.
Recipe Tips
- What makes this recipe work is the use of the almond barks and dark chocolate melting wafers. Almond bark and melting wafers are designed for easy melting and are perfect for use in the slow cooker. In a pinch, you can substitute real chocolate chips and shortening; however, you would need to spend more time stirring and watching the mixture, which defeats the use of the slow cooker in this case. So, I do recommend sticking to the listed ingredients. (I included links in the list above so you can see exactly what to use.)
- Watch the Temperature: Keep the slow cooker on low to prevent the chocolate from burning. It’s a slow process, but it’s well worth it for that smooth, melty chocolate.
- Stir Occasionally: Give the mixture a gentle stir every once in a while to ensure even melting.
- Keep the Moisture out! Sometimes, the slow cooker’s lid can develop moisture, so when stirring, make sure to dry it off before placing the lid back on to the slow cooker. Any moisture can cause the candy to seize.
- Work Quickly: Once it’s time to scoop the candy, move swiftly to prevent it from setting before adding the final pecan piece and sea salt. (I waited too long to add my sea salt to this batch, and most of it did not stick.)
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment to make cleanup easy and prevent the candy from sticking.
Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate Crispy Rice cereal or La Choy Chow Mein Noodles for added texture.
- Top with Crushed Pretzels for a salty twist.
- Mix in Dried Fruit like cherries or cranberries and sweetened coconut flakes for a fun addition.
- Finish with a drizzle of white or milk chocolate for added decoration.
Storage Suggestions
Store your turtle candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. If your kitchen is warm, consider refrigerating them to prevent melting. For longer storage, freeze the candies in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
FAQs
Why is it called turtle candy?
The name “turtle” comes from the pecan clusters’ resemblance to a turtle’s shell, combined with their classic chocolate, caramel, and pecan flavors.
Can I use real chocolate instead of almond bark?
Yes, but you’ll need to add a tablespoon of shortening to prevent seizing. You will also need to stir more often to help incorporate the shortening. Almond bark melts smoothly, making it ideal for candy-making.
Is it necessary to toast the Pecans?
It is not necessary, but it does enhance their flavor and crunchiness. If you do choose to toast them, Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. Keek a close eye on them, as nuts will burn very quickly.
What is the purpose of the Sea Salt?
Sea salt balances the sweetness and adds a sophisticated flair to the candy.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Ensure your slow cooker is large enough to handle the increased volume, or work in batches to maintain quality.
How long do these candies take to set?
They are usually set at room temperature within an hour. If you need them ready quicker, pop them in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
Can these turtle candies be made on the stovetop or in the microwave?
Yes, heat the chocolate in 15 to 25-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted; keep a close eye on it because the chocolate can burn very easily. Once the chocolate has melted, mix in the pecans and caramel bits, and then quickly scoop the candy onto your parchment paper and continue following the recipe as written.
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More Holiday Treats to Enjoy
- Reese’s Fudge Recipe
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge
- 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars
- White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Grinch Cookies
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
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Did You Make This Slow Cooker Turtle Candy?
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Slow Cooker Turtle Candy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: about 50 candies 1x
- Category: desserts
- Method: slow cooker
Description
This Slow Cooker Turtle Candy recipe is the perfect blend of rich chocolate, yummy caramel, and crunchy pecans—creating a treat that’s hard to resist! Using a slow cooker for this recipe makes the process surprisingly simple, allowing you to enjoy delicious homemade candy without too much fuss.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans (plus extra for garnish)
- 20 ounces of chocolate almond bark
- 20 ounces white chocolate almond bark
- 1 cup of dark chocolate melting wafers (like Ghirardelli)
- 1 11–ounce bag of caramel bits
- Sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Place pecans in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Break up the chocolate and add to the slow cooker over the pecans. Cover and set the slow cooker to low and cook for about an hour or until the chocolate has melted, stirring occasionally.
- Once the chocolate has melted, add the caramel bits to the slow cooker. Gently stir the chocolate mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Line a baking sheet (or your kitchen counter) with parchment paper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the turtle candy onto the parchment paper.
- Working quickly, sprinkle sea salt over the turtle candy before it has fully set and press a pecan half into the top.
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