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4.7 from 10 votes

Pretzel Turtles

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •12/17/22 16 Comments

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pin for pretzel turtles.

These Pretzel Turtles are the perfect combination of sweet and salty! Made with just 4 ingredients, these are ideal little treats to serve for the holidays! A little crunchy, a little chocolate, a little caramel – to die for.

closeup shot of homemade pretzel turtles.
Table of Contents Open
  • Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe
  • Why Make These Pretzel Turtles
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Pretzel Turtles
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Why Are They Called Turtles?
    • What Chocolate Works Best?
    • How Many Pretzel Turtles Does This Recipe Make?
    • What Can I Use Instead Of Caramels?
  • Tips
  • Storing
    • Freezing
  • More Great Recipes To Try
  • Pretzel Turtles
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe

Salty, sweet and incredibly delicious, these homemade Pretzel Turtles are the perfect combination of flavors! Turtles are a classic found at most chocolate stores, but they’re so easy to make at home.

All you need are 4 ingredients, 5 if you count the salt, to make this yummy treat! Impressive enough to serve for the holidays, yet easy enough to make when you’ve got a late night hankering for something sweet.

Let me tell you about these Pretzel Turtles! This is such a simple treat to make and they are so good. They will be popular with everyone, from kid to adult, everyone will love you and look at you like a God…or Goddess. These pretzel turtles are the perfect holiday treat!

Why Make These Pretzel Turtles

  • Super Easy To Make
  • Delicious Salty and Sweet Combination
  • Uses Just 4 Ingredients
  • Perfect For the Holidays
  • Make For Awesome Gifts!
  • Fun To Make With Kids

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make pretzel turtles.
  • Pecan Halves – I like to buy the big bags of Pecans from Costco, and I usually buy a few during the holidays, since I use them a lot.
  • Pretzels – These come in many different shapes and sizes, so use the smaller pretzels or the square ones.
  • Caramels – Individually wrapped caramels, so this is where you’ll be spending most of the time, just removing the wrappers.
  • Chocolate – I went with semi-sweet chocolate chips but use your favorite.
  • Fleur De Sel – This is an optional ingredients, but if you like sweet and salty, you’ll want to add a few flakes of this salt on each pretzel turtle.

How to Make Pretzel Turtles

process shots showing how to make pretzel turtles.
  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F.
  2. Roast Pecans: Roast the pecan halves for about 5 minutes or until they become aromatic.
  3. Assemble: Next, lay the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper, and then set a caramel on top of each pretzel. I did 7 rows of 5 pretzels on each row.
  4. Melt Caramel: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 5 to 6 minutes until the caramels soften, but make sure they do not melt. Next press pecan halves on top of the caramels.
  5. Add Chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals. Stir after every 30 seconds until smooth and melted. Remove the pretzels from the baking sheet. Use a measuring spoon to spoon small dollops, about half a tbsp of chocolate over the baking silpat. Take the pretzels and gently press on top of the chocolate. Continue until finished. If you have some leftover chocolate, drizzle some on top of the pretzels and sprinkle with fleur de sel.
  6. Cool & Serve: Allow them to cool completely before serving. To speed this up you can pop them in the fridge for about half hour.
freshly made pretzel turtles on a baking sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are They Called Turtles?

They get their cute name based on their shape, which look like little turtles with a chocolate shell.

What Chocolate Works Best?

You can use any type of chocolate for these Pretzel Turtles! I used semi-sweet, but you can use milk, dark or white if you prefer! Try a few of each or mix and match for the ultimate chocolate treat!

How Many Pretzel Turtles Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes 35 pretzel turtles!

What Can I Use Instead Of Caramels?

A great idea is to use chocolate rolos instead of caramels. They come complete with chocolate and caramel!

overhead shot of homemade pretzel turtles.

Tips

  1. For these pretzel turtles I used semi-sweet chocolate only, but if you like milk chocolate, feel free to use it! You could also use a mix of the two.
  2. If you have some leftover chocolate, drizzle some on top of the pretzels. For perfect sweet and salty combination, sprinkle with some fleur de sel, which just means sea salt. I love the combination of salt and chocolate together. Trust me, it’s to die for.
  3. You have to wait until the chocolate cools and hardens! To speed up the process pop them into the fridge for a bit, and then finally you can enjoy these delicious morsels
  4. Use a baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper for the easiest cleanup!
  5. Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the melted chocolate for a mocha flair.

Storing

You can store these pretzel turtles in airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to keep them away from warm temperatures or the chocolate will start to melt.

Freezing

Layer your turtles in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper in between (this will prevent them from sticking together.)

Freeze for up to 2 months, then defrost at room temperature before serving.

homemade pretzel turtles in a gift box.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Pretzel Bites
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms
  • Homemade Pretzels
  • World’s Greatest Soft Pretzels

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

closeup shot of homemade pretzel turtles.
Print
4.70 from 10 votes

Pretzel Turtles

Prep 20 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 30 minutes
Rate Recipe
These Pretzel Turtles are the perfect combination of sweet and salty! Made with just 4 ingredients, these are ideal little treats to serve for the holidays! A little crunchy, a little chocolate, a little caramel – to die for.
35

Ingredients

  • 35 pecan halves
  • 35 pretzel twists
  • 35 caramels
  • 12 ounce chocolate chips (semi-sweet )
  • 1 teaspoon fleur de sel

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F.
  • Roast Pecans: Roast the pecan halves for about 5 minutes or until they become aromatic.
  • Assemble: Next, lay the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper, and then set a caramel on top of each pretzel. I did 7 rows of 5 pretzels on each row.
  • Melt Caramel: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 5 to 6 minutes until the caramels soften, but make sure they do not melt. Next press pecan halves on top of the caramels.
  • Add Chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals. Stir after every 30 seconds until smooth and melted. Remove the pretzels from the baking sheet. Use a measuring spoon to spoon small dollops, about half a tbsp of chocolate over the baking silpat. Take the pretzels and gently press on top of the chocolate. Continue until finished. If you have some leftover chocolate, drizzle some on top of the pretzels and sprinkle with fleur de sel.
  • Cool & Serve: Allow them to cool completely before serving. To speed this up you can pop them in the fridge for about half hour.

Equipment

  • Aluminum Baking Sheet (2 pack)
  • Parchment Paper

Notes

  1. For these pretzel turtles I used semi-sweet chocolate only, but if you like milk chocolate, feel free to use it! You could also use a mix of the two.
  2. You have to wait until the chocolate cools and hardens! To speed up the process pop them into the fridge for a bit, and then finally you can enjoy these delicious morsels
  3. Use a baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper for the easiest cleanup!
  4. Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the melted chocolate for a mocha flair.
  5. You can store these pretzel turtles in airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to keep them away from warm temperatures or the chocolate will start to melt.
  6. Layer your turtles in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper in between (this will prevent them from sticking together.)
  7. Freeze for up to 2 months, then defrost at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1pretzelCalories: 128kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 17g (6%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 6g (9%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Sodium: 168mg (7%)Potassium: 104mg (3%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 10IUCalcium: 23mg (2%)Iron: 1.5mg (8%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

closeup shot of homemade pretzel turtles.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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16 Comments
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Wendy T.
Wendy T.
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
Yummmmy!! I made these for a Christmas cookie exchange. I love to cook but I am not the best baker…so this was a good choice for me. I did the mix of semi sweet and milk chocolate. Even though the pretzels are salty, the tiny bit of finishing salt makes the recipe extra good. Love your recipes : )

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Wendy T.
Posted: 1 year ago

Thank you!

0
Reply
Cyndi
Cyndi
Posted: 1 year ago

I made these this year for my holiday goodie bags that I hand out. Tried one (or two 😉). They are supper good and easy.

0
Reply
Angelia Flaim
Angelia Flaim
Posted: 2 years ago

I am reading the directions and sorry to be such a novice but you lost me when you say “Take the pretzels and gently press on top of the chocolate. Continue until finished”. Aren’t the pretzels already on the bottom so why are you pressing pretzels on top?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Angelia Flaim
Posted: 2 years ago

They’re not, if you read up above a couple lines, it tells you to remove the pretzels from the baking sheet.

0
Reply
Harry Roy
Harry Roy
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Thank you for this Joanna ! Always look forward to your posts!
Stay well!

0
Reply
Trang Ngo
Trang Ngo
Posted: 4 years ago

I made it and my husband finished half before I put them together. And when it’s done, it’s gone lol

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Trang Ngo
Posted: 4 years ago

Lol that’s amazing! That’s exactly what happens in our kitchen too 🙂

0
Reply
Helene Bonte
Helene Bonte
Posted: 4 years ago

These look delicious. How far ahead would you recommend make these?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Helene Bonte
Posted: 4 years ago

You could probably make them a couple days ahead.

0
Reply
Rita
Rita
Posted: 5 years ago

5 stars
I use rolos instead of caramels…bake about 5 minutes at 250. Then press on the pecan. Drizzle with chocolate.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Rita
Posted: 5 years ago

I love rolos!!

0
Reply
Mary Jane
Mary Jane
Posted: 6 years ago

What is silpat, and where does one get it???

0
Reply
Fenne Kieken
Fenne Kieken
Reply to  Mary Jane
Posted: 6 years ago

A silpat is a french non stick baking mat and you can get one at Amazon. I have provided a link for you https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008T960/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=josfav-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00008T960&linkId=9b5b0b2810fb71db76fc07555659b6aa

0
Reply
lalaine
lalaine
Posted: 9 years ago

5 stars
Jo, these are amaaazing! They look like you slaved all day making them and yet they are so simple! This 12 days Christmas cookie you have going on is such a wonderful idea, I’ve been checking everyday what you have fresh from the oven and your yummy treats never disappoint. This is my favorite blog ever! Keep them coming 🙂

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  lalaine
Posted: 9 years ago

Thanks Lalaine! You’re awesome, love your blog too!

0
Reply

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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