Salted Caramel Pretzel Turtles

A classic, crowd-pleasing holiday candy with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and buttery crunch these bite-sized turtles are irresistibly simple and make a beautiful gift or dessert platter addition.

Ingredients

• 24 mini pretzel twists or squares

• 24 soft caramels (such as Werther’s Original or Kraft)

• 24 pecan halves, lightly toasted

• 1 cup milk or dark chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or neutral oil (for smooth melting)

• Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep:

   
   

   Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Assemble Base:

   
   

   Arrange pretzels in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place one caramel on top of each pretzel.

3. Soften Caramels:

   
   

   Bake for 3–4 minutes, just until caramels soften but don’t melt completely.

4. Add Pecans:

   
   

   Immediately press one toasted pecan half gently into each softened caramel. Let cool completely.

5. Dip or Drizzle:

   
   

   Melt the chocolate and oil together in a heat-safe bowl (microwave in 30-second bursts or use a double boiler).

   
   

   • Option 1: Dip the bottom of each turtle in chocolate and place on parchment to set.

   • Option 2: Drizzle chocolate generously over the top.

   
   

6. Finish:

   
   

   Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt while chocolate is still wet.

7. Set & Store:

   
   

   Let the turtles set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until firm.

   
   

   Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

   
   

Make It a Tradition

• Wrap each turtle in gold or red foil and place in a festive tin.

• Add crushed peppermint or toasted coconut for flavor variations.

• Serve on dessert boards with truffles, cookies, and cocoa for a “Holiday Sweet Bites” display.