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Home Dishes & Beverages Candy Chocolate Candy

Homemade Turtle Candies

Name: Homemade Turtle Candies
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
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

8 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Cook: 20 min. + standing

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Aug. 09, 2023

I am a self-taught candy maker through trial and error. This turtle candy recipe is a favorite of friends and family. —Carole Wiese, New Berlin, Wisconsin

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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

On waxed paper-lined baking sheets, arrange pecans in small clusters of 4-5 pecans each.
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.
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.

Homemade Turtle Candy Tips

What are some variations of this turtle candy recipe?

Try swapping in white chocolate for the milk chocolate in this homemade candy recipe. If you don't want to fuss about making homemade caramel, you can also use store-bought.

How do you store homemade turtle candies?

Store these homemade turtle candies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll last for about 2 weeks. Avoid placing them in the refrigerator, since it can cause your candies to be tough and hard to chew. (Make sure you avoid these caramel mistakes, too.)

Can you freeze homemade turtle candies?

Yes, you can freeze homemade turtle candies for up to 2-3 months!

—Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor

Candy Thermometers

We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutrition Facts

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