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These Chocolate turtles have the classic caramel and pecan flavor, all covered in chocolate. Only this version is made with less refined sugar, thanks to an easy fruit-sweetened center.
While I was making a batch of date energy balls, I realized that pecans and dates taste a lot like these store-bought candies. But I figured I could make them even easier… and cuter.
That’s how these date turtles were born. I originally made them years ago by simply pressing a pecan half into a date half, then topping them with melted chocolate. But, they don’t exactly look like “turtles” that way, so I recently revisited this recipe to show you a cuter way to assemble them. Either way, they’re delicious!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This was so simple and easy to make, yet SO SO satisfying and delicious! They came out super cute, too. Thank you!” – Nathalie
Chocolate Turtle Ingredients
- Medjool Dates. These act as the caramel layer, without the need to boil sugar and butter together. It’s so much easier! Shop for medjool dates in the fresh produce section of your grocery store. They should look juicy and plump, like you could easily split them apart with your fingers to remove the pit.
- Pecans. If you want these candies to look like turtles, buy pecan halves rather than a bag labeled “pieces.” These help form the turtle’s head and legs, and add a satisfying crunch.
- Chocolate Chips. Use dark chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor, or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a sweeter taste.
- Flaky Salt. This is optional, but I like to sprinkle some salt on top of these to cut the sweetness.
How to Make Chocolate Turtles with Dates
Step 1:
Prepare a large pan that will fit on a flat shelf in your freezer by lining it with parchment paper. (You could also use a plate instead.) Then split the dates in half and remove the pits.
Place each date half, split-side-up, on the baking sheet.
Then press 4 pecan halves on each date, forming an X-shape. (See the photo below for reference.) These will be the turtle’s legs.
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Step 2:
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or in the microwave, using 30-second intervals). To make a double boiler, fill a small saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Arrange a heat-safe bowl snugly over the saucepan and add the chocolate chips.
The heat from the steam below will gently melt the chocolate. Once they look glossy, stir well until the melted chocolate is smooth.
Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate over each turtle piece. Make sure the pecan legs are sticking out a bit to complete the turtle look.
Step 3:
Complete the look by slicing a few pecan halves crosswise to make a smaller turtle “head.” Press the half into the top of the turtle, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a nice contrast of sweet and salty flavor. (The salt is optional.)
Place the turtles in the freezer to set for 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm. You can serve these right away, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Chocolate Turtles (with Dates!)
Ingredients
- 6 large, squishy Medjool dates
- 54 pecan halves (about 1 scant cup)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips , melted
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet (use one that will fit in your freezer) and split the dates in half, removing the pits. Arrange them on the baking sheet. This recipe works best if your dates are soft and squishy, but if the dates feel dry, you can soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before getting started.
- Top each date half with 4 pecan halves, making the shape of an "X" on top. Press the pecans into the dates, so they'll stick in place.
- Use a spoon to drizzle about a teaspoon of melted chocolate over the middle of the pecans, making a shell on top. Make sure the pecan legs are still sticking out of the chocolate to create the "turtle" look.
- Cut 6 pecan halves in half, cross-wise, to create smaller turtle "heads." Place one half on each of the 12 turtles that have been coated in chocolate. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt on top, the place the pan in the freezer to set until the chocolate is firm, about 10 minutes.
- Serve the chocolate turtles right away, or transfer them to an airtight container to store in the fridge for up to a week. You can serve them chilled for a crunchy texture, or let them come to room temperature again for a softer consistency.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Vegan Pecan Pie (also made with dates)
- Dairy-Free French Silk Pie
- Chocolate Date Smoothie
- Pecan Pie Truffles
If you try these chocolate turtles, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like them.
Wow, these are genius! My Grandpa is the biggest Turtle fan and I always get him a box for Christmas, though now that I am vegan I will have to find an alternative and these are perfect! How cool! Thanks for sharing 🙂
These would make wonderful hostess gifts! I have all the ingredients on hand and will make some this afternoon – yum! Just wondering, do they need to stay refrigerated (does the chocolate get melty at room temp?) Thank you Megan for all your inspiring healthy recipes!
I think if you left out the coconut oil, it would be more likely to stay solid at room temperature.
Where does it say coconut oil?
When I originally posted this recipe in 2012, I used to add a teaspoon of coconut oil to the chocolate to make it easier to spread on the turtles… but that also gives them a hint of coconut flavor and makes the chocolate melt WAY faster in your hand, so I took it out of the recipe.
Megan, I wish I could see things the way you do – you make such simple, wholesome things into divine treasures! I’m really looking forward to surprising my family with these.
So simple and easy to do 🙂 . I will make my own chocolate 🙂 Do you like the taste more with salt? Personally I prefer it without salt.
Funny, I made these for TDay– little individual pecan pies. I filled my dates with raw almond butter, stuffed a pecan in it, and then dipped it in melted raw (is it raw after being melted?) unsweetened cacao paste. The sweetness of the date was enough for me (although I enjoy unsweetened chocolate). I sprinkled cinnamon or coconut flakes or finishing salt.
I was thinking of doing this for all my dried fruit/nuts/nut butters. For some reason, it is more satisfying combined like this than when I eat on each item individually.
I just got done making these! They are so easy and delicious that I am going to have a hard time not eating them all before my husband gets home. Thank you!
What a clever recipe and so simple!!! I usually blend my dates to make caramel but the pecans in your turtles fit so perfectly in the date halves!! Its adorable! These would be good freezer treats for me since i like having stuff to grab and go with.
I can’t believe I’ve never thought of something like this before, these are gorgeous!
I’m excited over these vegan recipes lately, ever since I begun eating more vegan because of allergies it’s been hard to come across the great recipes as there was before, since everyone’s all about paleo.
Anyways, totally off tangent but these look delicious! Medjool dates are totally a magical little food. It always surprised me how sweet they really are.
WOW! This looks amazing and so easy to make! It just so happens I have all the ingredients – can’t wait to try! I love the idea of using dates as “caramel”!