Turtle Candy

Total Time Prep: 40 min. + chilling Cook: 20 min. + standing
Yield 4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Classic turtle candy is super easy to make with pecans, caramel and chocolate—even for beginner candy makers! Try it once, and it will be a fast favorite among the lucky family and friends you gift it to.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pecan halves, toasted
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 pound milk chocolate candy coating, chopped
  • Flake sea salt, optional

Directions

  1. On waxed paper-lined baking sheets, arrange pecans in small clusters of 4-5 pecans each.
  2. For caramel, in a small saucepan, combine the milk, corn syrup and sugars. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat. Stir in butter and vanilla. Working quickly, spoon caramel onto pecan clusters. Let stand until set.
  3. In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Spoon over caramel. If desired, top with flake sea salt. Chill for 10 minutes or until set. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 turtle: 171 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

I am a self-taught candymaker through trial and error. These turtles are a favorite of friends and family.—Carole Wiese, New Berlin, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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