Tis' the season for NUTTY treats! You are going to love my Healthy Homemade Chocolate Turtles. They're easy to whip up, and way too easy to eat. Plus you only need 5 simple ingredients, and they take less than an hour to make! Great candy option for anyone who is Vegan, Paleo, or Gluten-Free. (Updated March 2021.)
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🍴Ingredient Notes
- Raw Pecans - You can also use almonds! Both are delicious with this recipe.
- Melted Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is one of my favorite dairy-free alternatives to butter!
- Maple Syrup - You can also use honey for this recipe.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon is optional, but it adds a nice layer of flavor!
- Dark Chocolate Chips - You can also use any dark chocolate bar! Since I’m dairy-free I like to use vegan chocolate chips. I personally love the brand Pascha – they make high quality chocolate that’s dairy-free and soy-free. The 85% dark chips are my favorite because they’re sweet but not too sweet! They also have a 100% cacao option that is great for anyone who is sugar free.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Preparing candied pecans
- Start by tossing your pecans in the coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure they're evenly coated.
- Spread them onto your baking sheet - if it's not non-stick use parchment paper.
Baking candied pecans
- Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes. (Keep an eye - they can burn easily.)
- If you're going to eat them as is, let them cool first!
Making the Dark Chocolate Turtles
- If you're going to make the chocolate turtles, melt the chocolate bar + coconut oil together in a small bowl. Stir until it has a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Clump 3-4 nuts together on parchment paper, then drizzle a generous amount of chocolate over each clump.
- Let them cool for about an 45-60 minutes before serving. This will allow enough time for them to set before transferring to a plate or container.
How to store leftovers
I like to store my leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze some for later! They store well in the freezer for up to a couple months. To defrost, leave them on the counter or in the refrigerator.
More chocolate recipes!
Recipe
Healthy Homemade Chocolate Turtles
Equipment
- Non-Stick Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Raw Pecans
- 1 Tablespoon Melted Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- + 1 Teaspoon Maple Syrup
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
Chocolate Layer
- 1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips You can also use any dark chocolate bar!
- ½ Teaspoon Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Start by tossing your pecans in the coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure they're evenly coated.
- Spread them onto your baking sheet - if it's not non-stick use parchment paper.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes. (Keep an eye - they can burn easily.)
- If you're going to eat them as is, let them cool first!
- If you're going to make the chocolate turtles, melt the chocolate bar + coconut oil together in a small bowl. Stir until it has a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Clump 3-4 nuts together on parchment paper, then drizzle a generous amount of chocolate over each clump.
- Let them cool for about an 45-60 minutes before serving. This will allow enough time for them to set before transferring to a plate or container.
Nutrition
After you make these Healthy Homemade Chocolate Turtles, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe! Your feedback is helpful for me, and for anyone planning to try this recipe. I hope you love them as much as I do! xo Mariah
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