Pecan Turtles

Dessert
Written By Maddie Ginder Scannapieco

PECAN TURTLES

Whether you make these for dessert, pre or post-workout, family gatherings, etc., they don’t stick around for long! SO delicious and pretty addicting too, you gotta try ‘em!

This recipe targets:

Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Paleo | Vegan | Grain-Free

These are LOW in sugar, which is just how I like ‘em! Don’t get me wrong, they are still delicious, but are made with whole food ingredients. Low-sugar, easy, and YUMMY!

Ingredient list (MAKES 10-12 TURTLES)

  • 40-60 toasted pecans

  • 6 dates (soaked for 5 minutes if dry)

  • 3 tablespoon creamy nut butter

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  • Dash of sea salt

  • Optional: 1-2 tablespoon non-dairy creamer

  • 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate

Dietary benefits

  • Gluten-free

  • Grain-free

  • Dairy-free

  • Paleo

  • Vegan

Steps

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees to toast the pecans. Toast about 40-60 raw pecan halves on parchment paper for about 6 minutes.

Step 2

While the pecans are toasting, blend all the caramel ingredients — dates, nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, salt — in a food processor or blender, until sticky and easily formed. Add 1-2 tablespoons of creamer if it’s too dry. If it’s too liquid-y to form, freeze on parchment paper for about 30 minutes until easily formed.

Step 3

When the pecans are done and toasted, set out groups of 4 pecans on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Roll caramel mixture into 10-12 small balls and flatten them gently with your palm in the middle of the 4 pecans, forming around the edges so that the pecans stick into the mixture and they look like turtles (without the chocolate yet!).

Step 4

Melt the chocolate in 30-60 second increments in the microwave or on the stove until just melted, but not too hot! Let sit for a minute or two before pouring ~1 tablespoon of chocolate over each turtle cluster. Chocolate will spill over the edges but that’s ok! Refrigerate immediately for 10-20 minutes until hardened. Serve right away or keep in the fridge!

NOTES

  • If you want to make them more “caramely,” you can add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, but I tried keeping these simple and as low in sugar as possible!

More From MaddHealthy

Download One Week of Gut & Hormone Happy Recipes here.

Get exclusive discounts on Maddie’s favorite products at our Shop.

For more recipes and actionable health/wellness insights subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

If you’re ready to get some help in your health journey check out our services and sign up for a free consultation!

Maddie Ginder Scannapieco
Previous

Hormone Happy Peppermint Mocha
Next

Pecan Sandies