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
Please tell me how long I can store these in airtight containers. I want to make them ahead of time as gifts and was just wondering how long people stored them. Thanks so much!
These are definitely on my to do list. Thanks!
Like very good thanks for sharing
I’m soooo gonna make these…we’re in the middle of a move (yeah, whose bright idea was it to remodel a house to move into it right at Christmas?) so I may have to forego sleep in order to make them happen, but I will, and I must! 😉
I make these all the time with m&m’s and never thought to make “turtles” which are my absolute favorite candy of all time! Thank you!
These are adorable. The only problem is that we love rolos so much then all get munched before they get turtled!!!
If you buy the Rolos in the roll in the checkout lane I believe they are not individually wrapped so it makes things go a little quicker and you don’t have to unwrap each candy!
I just whipped up a batch and they’re so easy to make!! I added almonds, cashews or peanuts on mine and they taste soo good… Thanks!
I made these last night and brought them in to work today. Big Hit! So super easy – the hardest part was unwrapping all those Rolos.