If you’re looking for a dessert that’s rich, gooey, and indulgent—without the fuss of complicated candy-making—these Easy Crockpot Turtles are the answer. With just a few simple ingredients, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with decadent clusters of caramel, pecans, and chocolate that melt in your mouth.
Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a cozy night in, these bite-sized treats taste gourmet but couldn’t be simpler to make.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent & Gooey – A perfect trio of caramel, chocolate, and pecans.
- Hassle-Free – Made in the slow cooker with minimal prep.
- Customizable – Swap nuts, drizzle with white chocolate, or sprinkle with sea salt.
- Perfect for Gifting – A homemade treat that looks and tastes impressive.
🥘 Ingredients (Makes 24–30 turtles)
- 1 (14 oz) bag caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tbsp water or heavy cream (to soften caramels)
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: flaky sea salt, white chocolate drizzle, or crushed pretzels
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Crockpot
- Lightly grease your slow cooker insert or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Melt the Caramels
- Add caramels and water (or cream) to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Turtle Bases
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange pecans in clusters of 3–4 to form “turtle” shapes.
- Spoon a dollop of melted caramel over each cluster to hold them together.
- Let caramel cool slightly.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate
- Add chocolate chips to the slow cooker (wipe out insert first, if needed).
- Cover and cook on LOW for 30–60 minutes, stirring until smooth.
Step 5: Finish the Turtles
- Spoon melted chocolate over each caramel cluster, spreading gently.
- Optional: sprinkle with flaky sea salt or add a decorative drizzle.
- Let set at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
- Arrange turtles on a platter or package them in gift boxes.
- Enjoy with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for the ultimate sweet treat.
💡 Tips for Success
- Quality matters – Use good chocolate and fresh pecans for the best flavor.
- Switch it up – Try walnuts, cashews, or almonds instead of pecans.
- Add flair – Drizzle with white chocolate or sprinkle crushed pretzels for crunch.
- Storage – Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 1 week or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
✅ Why This Recipe Works
These Easy Crockpot Turtles bring together buttery caramel, crunchy pecans, and silky chocolate in the simplest way possible. The slow cooker melts everything evenly—no candy thermometer, no stress—so you get perfect results every time.
🍴 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making edible gifts, preparing a holiday dessert tray, or just indulging your sweet tooth, these Crockpot Turtles are guaranteed to impress. They’re rich, gooey, and customizable—everything a homemade treat should be.
✨ Try them once, and you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe for every occasion.
