Millionaire Candy Recipe: Caramel Pecan Turtles
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If you’ve never had Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles, brace yourself for a treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat! These sweet delights, often referred to as Millionaires, marry the rich flavors of caramel, pecans, and chocolate into a bite-sized piece of heaven. Trust me, once you’ve tasted them, you’ll understand why they’re a family favorite all year round.
I absolutely love making these turtles, especially around Christmas time, but honestly, they’re perfect for any occasion.
Whether it’s a rainy Sunday afternoon or a festive get-together, these have always been a hit.
Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of whipping up these decadent treats.
And I’ve also experimented with similar treats like Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites and Peanut Butter Bars.
You might want to give those a try too!
Table of contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How to Make Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles
- 🔑 Key to Success #1 – Melt the Kraft Caramels
- 🔑 Key to Success #2 – Toast the Pecans
- 🔑 Key to Success #3 – Melt the Chocolate
- Handpicked Recipe Favorites From My Kitchen, Just For You!
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something magical about the combination of sweet caramel, crunchy pecans, and smooth chocolate.
It’s a harmony of flavors that never fails to impress.
The best part?
They’re incredibly easy to make!
Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you can still create these delicious treats with ease.
Plus, making them at home ensures you can customize them to your liking.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delectable Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles:
- Caramel bits: These melt quickly and easily, providing the perfect base for our turtles. You can use traditional caramel squares if you prefer.
- Milk: A splash of milk helps to smooth out the caramel, making it easier to work with.
- Toasted pecans: The key to that wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. Feel free to substitute with walnuts if you prefer.
- Milk chocolate chips: Perfect for that final, luscious coating. Semi-sweet chocolate chips or even melted Hershey bars work just as well.
How to Make Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles
Making these treats is simple and rewarding. Here’s what you need to do:
- Melt caramel and milk: In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the milk and caramel bits in 30-second increments until melted. Stir until smooth.
- Combine with pecans: Stir in the toasted pecans and drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let stand until firm.
- Melt chocolate chips: Microwave chocolate chips until melted, stirring to ensure smooth consistency.
- Dip and set: Dip the caramel-pecan clusters into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off before placing them back on the wax paper. Let stand until firm.
🔑 Key to Success #1 – Melt the Kraft Caramels
This Caramel Pecan Turtles recipe starts off with 14 ounces of Kraft Caramel Bits.
You can find the Caramel Bits in the baking aisle of your local grocery store or they are available on Amazon.com.
If you haven’t seen the Caramel Bits, they’re basically small pieces of caramel that are unwrapped and ready to use in your favorite recipes.
You can also use the Kraft Caramels that come wrapped in squares.
You’ll just have to unwrap them before you start.
The Caramel Bits are perfect for this recipe because they are smaller and easier to melt with the milk to make a nice, smooth caramel.
Be sure you heat the caramels until they are just melted.
Do not overheat.
🔑 Key to Success #2 – Toast the Pecans
Toasted pecans really add a nice flavor and crunch to these Millionaires.
You can toast the pecans on the stovetop in a heavy skillet or you can toast them in the oven.
I prefer the oven method because you can toast a larger quantity at once and save them to use in all your favorite holiday recipes like the No-Bake Fruitcake or the Easy No-Cook Divinity.
To toast the pecans in the oven, spread them in a foil-covered rimmed baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees F for 7-10 minutes until they are browned.
Make sure you cool the pecans completely before chopping them.
Toast pecans in a 350 degree F oven for 7-10 minutes then cool completely.
These USA Pan Half Sheet Pans are my favorite for toasting pecans.
They work great and cleanup is a breeze.
🔑 Key to Success #3 – Melt the Chocolate
To keep things simple, we’re using melted chocolate chips for the chocolate coating on these Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles.
Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, heating 30 seconds at a time and stirring well in between.
Be sure not to overheat the chocolate, or it could seize up!
Now, dip your cooled caramel with the pecans into your melted chocolate.
You can use your hands to mold the caramels into other shapes before dipping in chocolate, if you’d prefer.
You could make them look like cute little turtles if you’d like!
Use a fork to dip the caramels into the chocolate.
Next, gently tap off the excess chocolate.
Put the chocolate-coated caramels onto a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper to cool and dry thoroughly.
When they are firm, they can be stored in an airtight container or enjoyed immediately.
These things are so good.
You’re not going to let them sit around, that’s for sure!
Handpicked Recipe Favorites From My Kitchen, Just For You!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Homemade caramel can be a delicious substitute and might add an extra depth of flavor. Just make sure it’s of pourable consistency for easy mixing with the pecans.
If your caramel hardens, simply reheat it in the microwave in short bursts, around 10-15 seconds, stirring between intervals until it’s smooth and workable again.
You can store them either way! At room temperature, they’ll stay good for about a week in an airtight container. In the fridge, they can last up to two weeks. If you’ve stored them in the fridge, let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Yes, you can freeze them! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep well frozen for up to three months. Just thaw them in the fridge before enjoying.
You can still enjoy a version of this recipe! Simply omit the nuts and enjoy caramel and chocolate clusters. Alternatively, substitute the pecans with a nut-free crunchy option like pretzel pieces.
If your chocolate didn’t set, it might be due to humidity or not letting it cool down enough. Make sure to place the dipped turtles in a cool, dry place to firm up. If needed, pop them in the fridge to help the chocolate set faster.
Creating Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles is a joyful and rewarding experience.
These treats are perfect for any occasion and make a delightful, homemade gift that everyone is sure to love.
Enjoy making and sharing these caramel-chocolate gems!
Millionaire Caramel Pecan Turtles
Ingredients
- 14 ounces caramel bits
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 2 cups toasted pecans, chopped
- 10 ounces milk chocolate chips
Directions
- In microwave-safe bowl, microwave milk and caramel bits in 30-second increments until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in pecans and drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let stand until firm.
- Microwave chocolate chips until melted; stir until smooth. Dip candies into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip. Place on wax paper. Let stand until firm.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition Facts
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Made these yesterday, and my husband and I think they are delicious! They taste just like the Millionaires we used to buy for Christmas. I used milk chocolate chips and caramel bits, and the only “problem” is we can’t stop eating them!
I let them set up about 2 hours, and although there was a wee bit of stickiness on the parchment paper, I was able to successfully lift them all off and put them on a piece of fresh parchment paper to set up some more. Today they are perfect with no stickiness at all. I think next time (oh there will be a next time!) I will put down just a bit of chocolate first on the parchment paper before dropping on the caramel/pecan mixture, and that should solve any stickiness issue.
These were so easy to make and so simple!! I use parchment paper and place them in the fridge for 30 mins n then dippe
I use a silpat type mat since I foun d the caramel stuck to my parchment paper and then put it in the fridge to set, then I make the cholocate using a bit of coconut oil in it (my choice) and then after I cover the caramel/pecan mixture, I put it back in the fridge to set. I also freeze a few for later. Thanks for the mesaurments in this recipe.
use parchment paper..not wax paper
Parchment paper or waxed paper would work equally well
@Jennifer, My caramel stuck to the wax paper terribly. What a mess
Try refrigerating them for a bit to firm them up! That may make them easier to get off the wax paper.
NEVER AGAIN! What a frickin MESS! All the Caramel got stuck to the waxed and parchment paper I had to peel little tiny pieces of paper off. I had Caramel stuck everywhere. I got so frustrated I threw out everything in the garbage and went out and bought a box of turtles!
Where’s the comments
Yours is the first comment on this recipe!
Looks wonderful!