The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
A fun twist on turtle candies, these easy Caramel Pretzel Turtles are made with pretzels, chewy caramels, pecans, and chocolate! Top them with sprinkles to make them extra festive!
You can make 36 servings of this classic holiday treat for $6.23. That is $0.17 per candy.
Turn up the Christmas music, whip up a batch of White Hot Chocolate, and get to making these turtles along with some more holiday treats like these Christmas Wreath Cookies, Peppermint Patty Candy, and Christmas Divinity Candy.
Caramel Pretzel Turtles
Nothing quite beats the sweet and salty combo of the classic chocolate turtles everyone loves during the holidays. The layers of chocolate, caramel, and pecan come together for the perfect bite-sized treat.
I wanted to make my own version of this classic treat and add a little twist to it. Adding a pretzel to the bottom not only adds an extra salty crunch but also makes these turtles even easier to make than the original.
This Pretzel Turtle Recipe is great for gifting and holiday trays. Substitute sea salt for the sprinkles, and you can enjoy this year-round.
Why is it called turtle chocolate?
When you look at the adorable bite-sized chocolate and caramel treats, they actually look like a turtle. The chocolate shell looks just like the shell of a turtle. It only makes sense then that these treats are called chocolate turtles!
What flavor is turtle?
Turtle flavor is known for being made with chocolate, caramel, and pecans. Any recipe with “turtle” in the title will have these ingredients, whether it is Turtle Cheesecake, Turtle brownies, or Pretzel Turtles.
How to make Caramel Pretzel Turtle Bites:
STEP ONE: First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then, arrange the pretzels on a cookie sheet.
STEP TWO: Next, place a caramel on top of each pretzel. Bake for five minutes.
STEP THREE: While they are baking, microwave the pecans in a bowl for ninety seconds. Stir the pecans halfway through.
STEP FOUR: Place a pecan onto each of the caramels and allow it to cool to room temperature. Microwave the chocolate melting wafers for 30-second intervals until melted.
STEP FIVE: Finally, spoon two teaspoons of chocolate over the top of each caramel and sprinkle with sprinkles or sea salt. Let the Caramel Pretzel Turtles sit until hardened.
Recipe and Flavor Variations:
- You can use pretzel twists instead of square pretzels.
- I like to use Ghirardelli dark melting wafers, but you can also use the white or milk chocolate melting wafers.
- You can make these festive for any holiday or celebration by changing up the sprinkles. I especially like gifting a tin full of these for Valentine’s Day and birthdays.
How much will this Caramel Pretzel Turtle Bites recipe cost to make:
RECIPE COST: $6.23
PER SERVING COST: $0.17
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
- 36 square pretzels – $0.36
- 36 chewy caramel candies – $1.98
- 10-ounce bag chocolate melting wafers – $2.47
- 36 halved pecans – $1.42
Cook’s Tools:
The following tools are essential to make these Caramel Pretzel Turtles.
- Baking sheet
- Mixing spoon
- Microwave-safe mixing bowl
How long are these Caramel Pretzel Turtles good for:
SERVE: You can keep these caramel turtles out at room temperature for a few hours. They’re a great Christmas treat to leave out during parties for hours.
STORE: It’s best to store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
FREEZE: You can freeze this pretzel turtle recipe in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. I suggest leaving off the sprinkles when freezing because they can sort of melt once defrosted.
More Holiday Dessert Recipes:
- Buckeye Candy
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Peppermint Bark Candy
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- Gingerbread Oreo Truffles
- Andes Mint Cheesecake Dip
- Crockpot Candy
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip
Caramel Pretzel Turtles
Ingredients
- 36 square pretzels
- 36 chewy caramel candies
- 36 halved pecans
- 10 ounce bag chocolate melting wafers
TOPPINGS:
- Sprinkles optional
- Flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND COOKIE SHEET:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
BAKE:
- Arrange the pretzels on the cookie sheet, top each one with a caramel, and then bake for 5 minutes.
HEAT PECANS:
- Meanwhile, add the pecans to a medium bowl and microwave for 90 seconds, stirring halfway through.
ASSEMBLE TURTLE PRETZELS:
- Press a pecan onto each of the caramels and all to cool to room temperature.
MELT CHOCOLATE:
- Microwave the chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl on 30-second intervals, stirring between each one until fully melted.
FINISH:
- Spoon 2 teaspoons of chocolate over the top of each caramel bite and sprinkles with sprinkles or sea salt.
- Let set until hardened, about 30 minutes.
Notes
- I use Kraft caramels.
- Microwaving the pecans gives them more of a toasted flavor without actually toasting them.
- Chocolate chips may be used instead of chocolate melting wafers, but you will want to add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil to each cup of chocolate chips when you melt them for best results.
- You can also fully dip these in chocolate if desired. To do so you will need almost double the amount of chocolate melting wafers.
Jo says
I really can’t believe I have found a delicious recipe like this Caramel Pretzel Turtles! It’s fun and suuuper easy to make, My daughter loves it as well!
heather johnson says
so delicious – my bf loves turtles – they were great!
Jillian says
So glad they were a hit!
rika says
These pretzels look incredible and easy to make! I love the caramel flavor too!
Adrianne says
What a delicious indulgent treat! Thee pretzel turtles are fun and festive and I love them. Thanks for sharing.
Dannii says
I love pretzels, and I am always looking for new ways to eat them. These look delicious. Perfect for Christmas too.