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Paleo Maple Pecan Turtles That Taste Like Candy

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 33 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 36 pieces 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Paleo Maple Pecan Turtles are a delicious and healthy twist on traditional turtle candies, made with real honey and maple syrup for a natural sweetness. Perfect for a paleo-friendly dessert or snack, these treats combine rich caramelized maple and honey-based caramel with crunchy pecans and smooth dark chocolate, delivering a candy-like indulgence without refined sugars.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramel Ingredients

  • ½ cup honey
  • â…“ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup coconut oil (or ÂĽ cup coconut oil & ÂĽ cup grass-fed butter)
  • ÂĽ cup water

Turtles Assembly

  • 8 ounces pecan halves
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pecans: Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and arrange the pecans in clusters, leaving space between them. For the classic turtle shape, place two large pecans end to end for the head and tail and four smaller pecans around for the legs.
  2. Make the Caramel: In the top of a double boiler, combine honey, maple syrup, coconut oil, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Continue cooking until the mixture darkens, begins to pull away from the sides, then slightly lightens. This process takes about 20 minutes. The caramel is done when it reaches 245°F on a candy thermometer or passes the cold water soft ball test.
  3. Cool the Caramel Slightly: Remove the caramel from heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This makes it easier to work with when spooning onto the pecan clusters.
  4. Assemble Turtles: Spoon the slightly cooled caramel carefully over each pecan cluster, covering them evenly.
  5. Melt the Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in a small pan over simmering water (a double boiler). Once melted and smooth, spoon the chocolate over the caramel-covered pecan clusters.
  6. Set the Candies: Allow the turtle candies to cool undisturbed at room temperature for about 30 minutes to let the caramel and chocolate set properly.
  7. Storage: Store turtles between parchment paper in an airtight container. Refrigerate in warm weather. These candies keep their flavor and texture well for at least 48 hours.

Notes

  • If not strictly dairy-free Paleo, using half grass-fed butter and half coconut oil adds extra depth and richness to the caramel.
  • Cooking caramel slowly using a double boiler reduces risk of scorching and allows better control to reach the perfect soft ball stage.
  • Patience is key to perfect caramel: rushing the cooking process may cause burnt or grainy caramel.
  • These turtles can be stored up to 2 weeks, but their deliciousness might make them disappear sooner!

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/paleo-maple-pecan-turtles-that-taste-like-candy/