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
I LOVE these! I made some the other day, and they were all gone within 2 days! I was wanting to make some for a couple friends/co-workers, and I'm wondering how long they last for? If i make them tonight, will they still be good next wednesday? Thanks!
I just want to say that part of me hates you. I made 80 of these in, like, 10 minutes. And they were gone nearly as quickly. And now I need to keep a bag of rolos in my pantry for occasions when I want salty chocolate snacks. *sigh*
I know this is an old post but I wanted to say these are so yummy and easy (and yes, totally addicting!):) My son and I made some of these and put Peanut Butter M&Ms on them. Yum!! I love peanut butter/caramel/chocolate together.
I LOVE pretzels+chocolate+caramel! It's the perfect combination, but I hate to dip pretzels and homemade caramel takes FOREVER! These little things are perfect, thanks for posting them!!
I made them today using lightly salted peanuts and drizzled them with white almond bark and boy oh boy are they yummy! (and look fancy too!)
I placed them right non the pan since I didn't have any parchment, when they cooled they were sticking SOOOOO bad. I was beginning to worry I had ruined 3 pans worth of treats. BUT I turned on our gas stove and quickly ran the bottom of the pan over the flame, honestly maybe 3 seconds worth of time, and wallah!! They melted just enough to loosen from the pan. What a relief. I didn't want to make more nor did I want to end up with 3 pans of broken treats that my waist line doesn't need 🙂
Love these, love your blog. Thanks!
As a follow-up…
I ended up making these for my son's class and instead of nuts or M&Ms, I used a candy corn on top! SOOO cute!!! (wish I had thought to use pumpkins, but alls well that ends well).
very cute 🙂 Will post a pic or two on Facebook
ohh, meant to mention – also got some cute halloween cupcake liners and will put a treat or two in each! how cute, huh?
will have to post pics when I do them!
I'm going to make these as the not-so-healthy snack for my 3rd grade son's class for their fall treat day.
I think I'm going to use candy corn on top though; to make it look more festive!! 🙂
I have made these before using hershey kisses and M&M's, but seems that once they leave the frige the chocolate melts – do the rolos work better? I want to give them away as gifts, but don't want a melty mess.
These are great! I brought them to my bowling team and everyone loved them!
Btw, I love all your recipes!
I just made these today as a thank you gift. I now think I will be doing them for my wedding favors! They were so very easy that even the fiance could help without messing them up to badly 🙂