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Turtle candies are a classic treat that combine silky caramel, crunchy nuts, and creamy chocolate for a deliciously decadent bite. While traditional turtles often focus on the sweet side, we’re adding a savory twist to amp up the flavor. Enter our Maple-Bacon Pretzel Turtle Candies—a crispy, salty, and sweet treat that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (divided)
- 30 mini pretzels
- 20 pecan halves, lightly toasted
- 14-ounce soft caramels, unwrapped
Instructions
To start, melt the soft caramels. Place them in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. For an even silkier caramel layer, add a splash of heavy cream. Once the caramel is smooth, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a minute.
Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange mini pretzels on the sheet, leaving a bit of space between each. Spoon about a teaspoon of melted caramel onto each pretzel, carefully placing a pecan half on top before the caramel sets.
In a separate saucepan, pour the chocolate chips, the remaining heavy cream, maple syrup, and half the sea salt. Stir constantly over low heat until the chocolate melts into a luscious, glossy sauce. Remove from heat and drizzle this chocolate mixture over the caramel-pretzel clusters.
Finally, sprinkle each candy with the crisp bacon crumbles and the remaining sea salt for that extra savory crunch. Let the candies rest at room temperature until the chocolate has firmed up. If you’re in a hurry, transfer them to your fridge for around 15 minutes to speed up the setting.
These Maple-Bacon Pretzel Turtle Candies offer an addictive balance of salty, sweet, and nutty. They’re a perfect homemade gift, an easy potluck treat, or a late-night indulgence for anyone who loves new flavor twists on classic recipes. If you’re looking to make these a bit healthier, turkey bacon works well, or you can opt for dark chocolate to add antioxidants. Feel free to swap pecans with almonds or walnuts, or use a non-dairy cream alternative for a lactose-free option. No matter how you tweak them, this savory spin on traditional turtle candies will bring a delightful surprise to your dessert table.
