I LOVE chocolate turtles!!! In all the recipes I've seen they're called caramel clusters... am I the only one who calls them turtles? Anyway, whatever you call them they are delicious - nuts covered in caramel sauce with chocolate poured over the top. What's not to love? I used peanuts because that's what I had on hand, but you can use any kind of nut you like. I think pecans are my favorite, but the peanuts were sure good too.
*Notes
-You might notice that the caramel sauce used in this recipe is not the caramel sauce I have posted. While both recipes are good, the one below is a bit thicker and easier to make.
-If you just want to make the caramel sauce: Omit the nuts and set mixture aside to thicken. Store in a sealed container in fridge. Heat over low heat to soften before serving if needed. Makes almost 1/2 C caramel... so you might want to double it.
2 Tbsp. Earth Balance butter
1/4 C coconut palm sugar or brown sugar
1 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt (optional)
3/4 C peanuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts
1 C dairy free chocolate chips
1 tsp. non-hydrogenated shortening (you can substitute butter, but it doesn't work as good)
1. For the caramel sauce: In a small saucepan, mix together the butter, sugar, and agave over medium heat. Stir continually and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and nuts.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop tablespoon-sized amounts of the mixture onto the paper.
4. Place uncovered in refrigerator while you make the chocolate coating.
5. In a heatproof bowl, add the chocolate and shortening. Then, place over simmering water being careful that the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir until completely melted.
6. Drop 2 tsp. of the chocolate over each caramel cluster, spreading gently to coat.
7. Place back in fridge until set... 30 minutes to an hour.
8. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.
prep time: approximately 30 minutes
this post is part of Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
5 comments:
I saw your link on Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays. I used to make Turtles at Christmas time but haven't done so for years. My old recipe used packaged caramels but making the sauce from scratch is much more appealing to me these days. I'm going to add your link to my Must-Make-List http://www.foxinthekitchenblog.com/must-make-this/
Thanks for sharing
Laureen-
Thanks for the link!!! I like your site :)
I am making these right now! I still have to add the chocolate, but just the caramel clusters are sooooo good! Thanks for the recipe!
Jamie-
Glad you like them! I love that recipe too, they're addictive!
These are going on my "to make" list! One of my boys has never had caramel so this is perfect for him. Thanks for sharing with us.
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