Caramel, pecans, and dark chocolate are combined in this simple homemade caramel turtle bark candy, a delightful treat.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr20 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Calories: 257kcal
Ingredients
Caramel Ingredients
½cupbutter
1cupbrown sugar
¼cuphoney
7ouncessweetened condensed milkhalf of a 14 ounce can, just over 1/2 cup’s worth
⅛teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonvanilla
Turtle Bark Ingredients
2cupspecan halves
2cupssemi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
1teaspooncoconut oil
Instructions
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pecan halves across the paper in a single layer. Set the tray of pecans near the stove.
Combine the butter, sugar, honey, milk, and salt in a heavy saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat. When the mixture has melted together and is smooth, increase the heat to medium-high and continue stirring constantly with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Cook until the temperature reaches 230-235°F, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour the caramel mixture over the pecans in an even layer. Use a spatula to spread it across if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so, until the caramel is cool.
Melt the chocolate and the oil in a small mixing bowl in the microwave. 50% power for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, stopping to stir after the first minute and then every 30 seconds as needed. When most of the chocolate has melted and you are able to stir it, remove it from the microwave and stir until smooth, it will continue melting as it rests.
Pour the chocolate over the top of the caramel and pecans and spread across the caramel with a spatula. Chill in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes, until the chocolate is firm.
Remove from the refrigerator and use the parchment paper to lift the bark onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice into pieces. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Alternative recipe for Chocolate Covered Turtle Bites: Let the caramel and pecan layer chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. Then use a very sharp knife to slice it into bite-size pieces. Place in the refrigerator again for about 30 minutes.Melt the chocolate and the oil in a small mixing bowl in the microwave. 50% power for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, stopping to stir after the first minute and then every 30 seconds as needed.Dip each caramel piece into the melted chocolate and then use two forks to drain the excess chocolate off the candy. Place on a parchment-lined tray and repeat with all the pieces.Chill in the refrigerator until firm. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.