If you plan on distributing candies and cookies during the festive season, then you must include chocolate turtles in your list. To enjoy the perfect combination of flavors, make thumbprint cookies with turtle flavors.
Turtle Candies continue to be a timeless delicacy found in chocolate shops. These charming and delicious treats were created in approximately 1918 and have been sold in-store for numerous years, with the original recipe remaining unchanged. The recipe comprises caramel, pecans, and chocolate, which make up the fundamental essence of the candy’s rich and irresistible taste. Although contemporary versions now include supplementary components, the straightforward nature of the ingredients remains the core of the confection’s appeal.
It is surprisingly easy to make the popular chocolate treat at home using only three common ingredients. You can increase the recipe to make enough to give as holiday treats to your loved ones or as party favors for office celebrations. The turtles are intended to have a rustic appearance, so it is fine if they are not perfectly round or if some of the pecans are visible. This is what makes them unique. Additionally, you can either enjoy them on your own or use them as decoration for desserts such as cakes, cheesecakes, pies, cupcakes, and ice cream bowls.
With just a few ingredients, each one has a big impact on the final flavor, so using quality chocolate and pecans is essential. Homemade caramels are always preferred. Leftover caramel from another recipe works well. However, store-bought smooth caramel also makes a delicious treat. This is also the quickest and easiest way to bring these little turtles to life.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of whole pecans
- half a cup of butter
- 1 small cup of brown sugar
- Half a cup of corn syrup
- Dash salt for seasoning
- a whole can (or half) of condensed and sweetened milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 and a half cups of chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil
Instructions:
- To begin, arrange the Pecans in one layer on a baking sheet and bake them at a temperature of 350° for around 10 minutes until they become aromatic and browned. Then cluster them in groups of 3 to 4 on parchment paper or silicone liners.
- Take a pot of 6quart capacity and mix the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boiling point. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
- Stir the mixture constantly and cook it until it reaches a temperature of 240°. It is advisable to use the ice water test for accuracy. Drop a small amount of hot caramel into a bowl of ice water, and it should be possible to roll it into a ball. At this point, the caramel is done.
- Quickly spoon the caramel over the Pecan clusters, making sure each Pecan is coated with caramel, and allow it to harden.
- Melt the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave at half the power, stirring frequently until it becomes smooth. Pour a spoonful of chocolate over each layer of caramel and let it sit for about 2 hours until it hardens.
