Chocolate Turtles (with Dates!)

Chocolate Turtles (with Dates!)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: vegan

Keyword: chocolate turtles

Prep Time: 15

Freeze Time:: 10

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 98kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

You can make homemade chocolate turtles without making caramel from scratch. These date turtles use pitted Medjool dates as the "caramel" layer, so they're easy to assemble and are made with less refined sugar than store-bought candies. But they're still just as satisfying!

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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 information is for 1 of 12 chocolate turtles. This information is just an estimate, and not a guarantee.

Vegan Note: If you need a vegan dessert, be sure to check the label on the chocolate chips to make sure they're dairy-free.

Easier Method: For a simpler preparation, press only 1 pecan half into each date half, then top with chocolate. They won't look like turtles, but they are faster and will still taste amazing!

Nutrition