Tis the season for goodies and it seems like people are always looking for quick and easy ones. It recently came to my attention that not everyone in the world has been introduced to these Easy Pretzel Turtles and that’s just a cryin’ shame! This is possibly the easiest little goodie you’ll come across. They can be made in about 10 minutes and with only 3 ingredients. However here I’ll show you my little twists to take them a notch up and make them cooler than everyone else’s pretzel turtles. Because at Christmas time it’s all about one-upping everyone else, right?? Kidding people, kidding. Really though, these are great for satisfying your own sweet tooth or for making to give away. Either way they’ll be gone in a flash!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Small pretzels
- Rolo candies – Each bag has about 55 candies.
- Pecan halves – Other nuts or M&M’s will also work.
- Almond bark or white chocolate – Optional, for drizzling.
How to Make Easy Pretzel Turtles
- This is easy as can be! Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place pretzels on a parchment lined baking sheet. I like to use parchment paper for easy handling, but you can also put them on foil, a Silpat, or directly onto the cookie sheet.
- Unwrap your Rolo candies and place one on top of each pretzel.
- Place pan in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Any longer is probably too long. You just want the chocolate on the outside to look glossy and melty, but they should still hold their shape.
- Remove pan from oven and take a pecan and gently press it right into the center of each chocolate candy.
- Here’s where you can be creative. You don’t need to stick to pecan halves. I also love cashews and peanuts (I used honey roasted peanuts here). And for kiddos and those who can’t eat nuts or don’t like them, M&M’s make a great little topper. I always throw a few of those in for color and because the kids like them. And if it’s not Christmas time, use the colorful ones- they’re adorable!
- If you want to get fancy you can give them a little drizzle of almond bark or white chocolate. Just melt some in a plastic baggie and nip the corner off to drizzle. A little goes a long way; I used a half a square of almond bark for half a batch and had plenty left over.
- Now definitely do yourself a favor and eat a few of these babies warm off the pan. Mmmm… Wait for the rest to cool and harden before you pack or plate them up. I pop them in the fridge to hurry that process up.
Storing and Other Tips
- Allow turtles to cool and harden completely before storing or packaging. Store or package for gifting in an airtight container or cellophane bag and enjoy within about 7 days for best results.
- I love to package them in little peep-window boxes. You can grab some off of Amazon, or craft stores like Michaels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these will work well with gluten-free pretzels! Rolos and the other suggested toppers are already gluten-free.
As long as you allow the turtles to cool and fully harden, they should stack well in packaging. If you’d like you can always add a layer of parchment between layers.
Sure! Sprinkles or a little flaky sea salt would be great.
Easy Pretzel Turtles
Ingredients
- 50 small pretzels
- 50 Rolo candies one 12- ounce bag has about 50-55
- 50 pecan halves or, optionally, honey-roasted peanuts, cashews, M&Ms, or Reese's Pieces
- almond bark or white chocolate optional, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉. Place pretzels on lined baking sheet. (Works well with a Silpat, tin foil, or parchment paper).
- Unwrap your Rolo candies and place one on top of each pretzel.
- Place pan in the oven for 3-4 minutes; until chocolate on the outside to looks glossy and melty.
- Remove pan from oven and take a pecan, peanut, chocolate candy, or whatever else you desire, and gently press it right into the center of the chocolate candy.
- Enjoy a few warm, then wait to cool and harden before you pack or plate them up.
Notes
- Great tip: To drizzle, just melt some almond bark in a plastic baggie and nip the corner off for a homemade piping bag. A little goes a long way; I used a half a square of almond bark for half a batch and had plenty left over.
- Allow turtles to cool and harden completely before storing or packaging. Store or package for gifting in an airtight container or cellophane bag and enjoy within about 7 days for best results.
- I love to package them in little peep-window boxes. You can grab some off of Amazon, or craft stores like Michaels.
Questions & Reviews
Easy, addicting and impressive. Thanks a bunch!
Perfect gift for Military! I sent these to my son who is in the Navy and currently stationed in Japan. He LOVES them and so does his friends. They ship very well and stay fresh.
Thanks so much for this little recipe idea. While I was home for Christmas, we made these with my 2 1/2 year old niece and it worked out great. She loved helping lay out the pretzels, unwrapping the rolos, and laying those out too. But her favorite part was pressing the nuts and candy on top of the melted rolo when we pulled them from the oven. They are so easy that even a 2 year old can make them! I took some cute photos of her helping…great memories. 🙂 Thanks!
I will definitely have to try this! What a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing this. I may have to add a touch of white chocolate to mine. I adore it paired with pretzels!
I just finished making these and they are yummy. Can't wait to bring them to work on Monday….hoping it stops snowing!
Happy Holidays and thanks for the great receipe!
My daughter and I just got done making these with red & green M&Ms. She has nick-named them "Chocolate Volcanoes". I was going to give them to friends on Sunday…but I don't think they are going to last two whole days! SO yummy!
I am convinced that the lowly pretzel is the world's best cookie in disguise. This is not the first pretzel treat recipe I've seen.
These are awesome!!!! I couldn't find Rolor so used Milky Ways.
OMG! I am in heaven because I got so fat from eating these and had a heart attack and died.
M
I cannot believe I had never heard of these until this post! They are incredible. I made them tonight using holiday shaped mini pretzels and peanuts. Yum! One tip for the lazy, like me. Buy a big case of the rolo candy rolls at Sam's Club, then you don't have to unwrap a zillion individual rolos. I made three pans tonight and used about half of the box so it will be easy to use them all up with another night of making them.
I just finished making these with my 3 and 5 year old daughters and they are great! They were super easy and very, very delicious. My husband is upset that I wasn't making these for us so I suppose I'll have to get a couple more bags of rolo's and make some more! 🙂
thanks for this easy fun recipe. My 7 year old son helped me and he had a ton of fun. I used christmas M&m's and cashews witht he white choclate on top. Very cute, I know the people who are getting them in there cookie box will love them!