Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (2024)

Home Recipes Dessert Sweet Things Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe

by Jennifer Debth

19 Comments

5 from 12 votes

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These Pretzel Turtlesare made FOUR ways and make the perfect sweet and salty holiday treat! Mini pretzels are loaded up with various chocolates, candies, and toppings, then baked to perfection.

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  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long to bake
  • Variations
  • What pretzels to use
  • Storage information
  • Nutrition information
  • How to Store

This easy pretzel turtles recipereally is SO EASY!We’re talking the easiest candyever.

Plus, it’s made four ways so you get to pick your favorite or favorites…or make all four! They’re all so good!

Ingredients

Just pretzels, chocolate, and various toppings required! This recipe really is so simple.

  • Pretzels– use mini square pretzels. It holds the melted candy the best! I find that the round ones have a harder time holding the candy up.
  • Chocolate – today we’re using Rolo’s, Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s Hugs, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Feel free to make a few of each, or just one!
  • Toppings – we’re using pecans, peppermint M&Ms, M&Ms, and honey roasted peanuts, but feel free to play around.

Pro tip

Get creative! You can really top the pretzel with any candy you’d like. Mini snickers anyone?!

How to make

This delicious holiday treat comes together in 10 minutes or less!

  1. Place pretzels on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat. Top with candy of choice (rolo’s, kisses, hugs, or peanut butter cups.)
  2. Bake until the candy has softened.
  3. Remove from the oven and press topping of choice onto the softened candy. Use a spoon to press down.
  4. Cool completely then store in an airtight container or serve and enjoy!

Pro tip

Make a few or make a bunch! This recipe can easily be halved, doubled, tripled, etc. so make as many as you need!

How long to bake

These pretzel turtles bake in a preheated 350ºF for 2-3 minutes. Any longer and the chocolates will start to melt too much!

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (2)

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (3)

Variations

  • Classic.A chocolate, caramel, and pecan combo. Made with Rolo’s and pecans.
  • Peppermint.Perfect for mint lovers. Made with Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses and peppermint M&Ms.
  • Hugs. This one’s simple yet delicious! Made with Hershey’s Hugs and regular M&Ms.
  • Peanut Butter. This one is perfect for all of us peanut butter lovers. Made with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and honey roasted peanuts.

Pro tip

Again, go nuts! What would YOU top a pretzel with?

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (4)

What pretzels to use

Mini square pretzels work best, because they don’t have a large hole opening like the circle pretzels. If you’re in a pinch, the circles will work fine; pay attention that the candies don’t fall through when baking.

Whatever you use, make sure the pretzels are salted to balance out the sweet chocolate. I don’t recommend using regular-sized pretzels, they’re too big for the candy!

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (5)

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (6)

How long will rolo pretzels keep?

These pretzel turtles will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week, in the fridge for 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 3 months.

To enjoy again,thaw in the fridge if frozen then devour straight from the fridge or bring to room temperature.

Pro tip

Store the mint ones in a separate container or everything else will taste like mint!

– Jennifer

If you love this easy holiday candy recipe, you might also love: easy chocolate fudge, easy peanut clusters, and christmas crack.

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (7)

Easy Pretzel Turtles

5 from 12 votes

These Pretzel Turtlesare made FOUR ways and make the perfect sweet and salty holiday treat! Mini pretzels are loaded up with various chocolates, candies, and toppings, then baked to perfection.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Yield: 100 pieces

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Classic Pretzel Turtles:

  • 25 mini square pretzels use gluten free, if necessary
  • 25 Rolo’s unwrapped
  • 25 pecans

Peppermint Pretzel Turtles:

  • 25 mini square pretzels use gluten free, if necessary
  • 25 Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped
  • 25 peppermint m&ms

Pretzel Turtles with Hugs:

  • 25 mini square pretzels use gluten free, if necessary
  • 25 Hershey’s Hugs unwrapped
  • 25 m&ms I used red and green for festive colors

Peanut Butter Pretzel Turtles:

  • 25 mini square pretzels use gluten free, if necessary
  • 25 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups unwrapped
  • Honey roasted peanuts chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.

  • Place pretzels onto prepared pan in a single layer.

  • Top pretzels with candy of choice (rolo’s, candy cane kiss, hugs, or peanut butter cups).

  • Bake until the candy has softened, about 2-3 minutes. You don’t want to over melt these.

  • Remove from oven.

  • Gently press topping of choice onto softened candy: pecan for rolos, peppermint m&m for candy cane kiss, m&m for hugs, and chopped peanuts for reese’s (I used the back of a spoon to gently press the Reese’s down before topping with the nuts).

  • Cool completely then store in an airtight container at room temperature.

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:1 Week

Refrigerator:2 Weeks

Freezer:3 Months

Reheat:If frozen, thaw in fridge. Warm in oven if desired

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

This recipe can easily be halved or doubled, tripled, etc.

Feel free to make one flavor or make them all, the choice is yours!

Store the mint ones separately, or everything else will taste like mint.

Trevor and I love eating a few of these warm right out of the oven. 😉

Calories are a very rough estimate for ONE pretzel turtle.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Easy Pretzel Turtles

Amount Per Serving (1 candy)

Calories 41 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Sodium 23mg1%

Potassium 18mg1%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Sugar 3g3%

Vitamin A 10IU0%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 0.1mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: chocolate, holiday treats, square pretzels

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

This post was originally published December 10, 2018 and has been updated to provide more detailed content.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Anonymous

    Kingman, Arizona

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (16)

    Reply

  2. M.D.

    Kingman, Arizona

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (17) Great with all sorts of melt able choc, on the pretzels, I got very creative!Green long dinner Mints, Rollo’s, Mini Peanut Butter Cups, and Good ole wrapped Carmel’s, and still looking for more ideas!Thanks for The Recipe

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      The possibilities are endless! I wrote about variations in the post: https://showmetheyummy.com/easy-pretzel-turtles-recipe/#variations

  3. Anonymous

    Taunton, Massachusetts

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (18)

    Reply

  4. Anonymous

    United States

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (19)

    Reply

  5. Debbie

    Waxhaw, North Carolina

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (20) Very easy and tasty. Little hard to find waffle pretzels

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thanks Debbie!

  6. Anonymous

    United States

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (21)

    Reply

  7. Kathie

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (22) !!!!! Yummy! You say they’re for holidays. I say they’re super year-round.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      So true! Thanks Kathie!

  8. Anonymous

    Reading, Pennsylvania

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (23)

    Reply

  9. Anonymous

    Sacramento, California

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (24)

    Reply

  10. Anonymous

    Riverside, California

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (25)

    Reply

  11. Pam

    United States

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (26) Looks so good and so easy!!

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thanks, Pam 🙂

  12. Anonymous

    Farmingdale, New Jersey

    Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (27)

    Reply

  13. Barbara

    Poughkeepsie, New York

    Why would you use an unwrapped Rolo? Shouldn’t the wrapper be removed first? I think that was a typo.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Hi Barbara! An unwrapped rolo means the rolo wrapper has been removed. 🙂

    • Debbie

      Houston, Texas

      Barbara I thought the same thing when I read that! lol

Easy Pretzel Turtles Recipe - Delicious Holiday Treat - Made FOUR Ways! (2024)

FAQs

What is Turtles candy made of? ›

Turtles are a candy made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, with a shape resembling a turtle. The name is trademarked by DeMet's Candy Company.

Who made the first turtle candy? ›

The chocolate turtle today is a trademarked candy from Chicago's DeMet's Candy Company. However, candy history tells us that the "turtle" originated in San Francisco during the early 1900s. The chocolate candy with caramel and pecans was the creation of a candy chef named Louis Gordon Hooper.

What are the different types of turtle candy? ›

Choose from an assortment of turtles, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate turtles with pecans, cashews, and almonds. We know these delicious turtles are sure to be a new favorite!

What do Germans put on pretzels? ›

The popular toppings of authentic bavarian pretzels are:

Sesame, poppy, sunflower, pumpkin or caraway seeds, cheese sauce and bacon bits. Bavarians especially enjoy their pretzels in the late morning with Weißwürst, sweet mustard, and a Beer.

What is the brown stuff on pretzels? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven. This method can also be used with rolls or buns.

What makes pretzels taste good? ›

Salt is the most common seasoning, or topping, for pretzels, complementing the washing soda or lye treatment that gives pretzels their traditional skin and flavor acquired through the Maillard reaction. Other toppings are mustard, cheeses, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet glazing, seeds, and nuts.

What cheese goes with pretzels? ›

Cheddar Cheese- classic cheddar does wonders with pretzels. Its sharp and tangy flavors complement beautifully with the saltiness of the pretzel. Choose mild or sharp based on your personal preferences, both are delicious. Gouda Cheese- Gouda is a semi hard cheese, yet it has a smooth and creamy texture.

What's the best mustard for pretzels? ›

Dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard are the typical go-tos, as they add an extra kick to your pretzel snack. However, you can also get the best of both worlds by choosing a cheesy mustard dip. All you need is spicy brown mustard, a cheese spread, and Worcestershire sauce.

Are pretzels healthy? ›

Pretzels may be better than some fatty chips, but four out of five nutrition experts surveyed by Time say if you're trying to eat healthy, pretzels shouldn't be your go-to snack. Although pretzels are low-fat, they are also pretty paltry on the protein and fiber front, and they can be quite high in sodium and carbs.

What's good to eat with pretzels? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pretzels are cheese dip, mustard, hummus, chocolate fondue, strawberry jam, spinach and artichoke dip, salsa, beer cheese soup, and caramel sauce.

Why do you boil pretzels before you cook them? ›

This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

Is turtle healthy to eat? ›

"Turtle meat has a lot of protein but very little fat and almost no carbohydrates," she says. It is also a source of several micronutrients - including selenium, vitamin B12, iron, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin and zinc.

What is inside the candy turtles original? ›

MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, NONFAT MILK, BUTTEROIL, LACTOSE, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLIN, SALT), PECANS, CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, PALM OIL, NONFAT MILK, BUTTEROIL, AND LESS THAN 1% OF SODIUM CASEINATE, SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR.

What kind of meat is turtle? ›

The flavor has often been compared to being incredibly meaty, beefy with a unique texture that can be roughly compared to squid or alligator. Others have compared the succulent flavoring of turtle meat to rich crab, salmon, decadent lobster with hints occasionally of bluefish, mackerel, trout, and even sturgeon.

What is the flavor of turtles? ›

Sea turtles -- most of which are now protected species -- actually fall on the 'beefy' side, often being compared to veal in both flavor and texture, though with abundant and savory fat. Fresh water turtles tend toward the 'fishy' side, though also fattier than most fish.

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