Unlock the magic of simplicity with our irresistible Rolo Pretzel Turtles. A delightful treat that takes only three ingredients to create a symphony of flavors. An easy snack that everyone loves.
Sweet treat and salty pretzel bites are a breeze to make, making them the perfect indulgence for any occasion throughout the year.
Christmas candy doesn’t have to be complicated.
Seriously, one of the simplest things you’ll ever whip up, with simple ingredients, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a taste sensation. I pinky-promise, people will keep coming back for more.
Holiday Party Treat
Imagine a world where sweet meets salty in the most delightful way. If you’re on the hunt for that perfect treat, a stellar gift idea, or something to dazzle at holiday gatherings, you absolutely need to dive into making this Pretzel Rolo Turtle recipe.
Actually, these are great for any special occasion any time of year a Holiday Potluck, cookie exchanges, Valentine’s Day, or really any time you need to bring a snack to a potluck.
These little gems are delectable. They are a treat for the senses with the crisp and salty pretzel topped with a sweet chocolate covered caramel and finished with a crunchy pecan. Yum.
Another popular Christmas candy that we make with family are Southern Pecan Divinity Candy.
But let’s get back to our caramel, pecan, and chocolate candy. If you have never heard of a turtle cluster, you might be wondering what they are.
What is in a turtle cluster?
It is toasted pecans covered in a gooey caramel topped with chocolate. I am not sure what my favorite part of this yummy snack is, but I love the flavor combination and the satisfying crunch. These can be purchased in grocery stores and other markets; however, there are also lots of homemade recipes for making them.
Good news! This recipe skips all that.
Three Ingredients for the Perfect Little Treat
This recipe is so easy that your kids can help you make it.
Pretzels. Mini pretzels work best for this. You can use the square or bow tie mini pretzel, they both work.
Pecans. I purchase pecan halves that have already been toasted. If you happen to have them and they were not toasted, make sure to toast them for best flavor and crunch. Toasting the pecans makes a huge difference in the overall nutty taste.
Rolo Candy. They come in a roll and a bag. When I know I will be making this recipe, I try and get a bag. However, one year, I could not find a bag and I purchased an entire box of the individual rolls of candy. There were 8 I think in each roll.
For me, when this candy is paired with the pecans and the pretzels, it has all the flavors of chewy homemade caramel, chocolate, toasted pecans, and a little added salty crunch from the pretzel. Truly a Holiday Favorite for me.
How to Make 3 ingredient Rolo Pretzel Turtles Candy
It couldn’t be easier to make these crowd-pleasing treats. The hardest part of making these Pretzel Rolo Pecan Cookies is not eating them right away.
Buckle up because it’s a breeze! While the full, step-by-step recipe is waiting for you below, let me give you a quick preview of what’s in store when you whip up these top-rated sweet treats:
Place pretzels in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lined with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a baking mat for easy clean up.
Pop a Rolo candy on each pretzel.
Bake until the chocolate gets all gooey. 3 minutes.
Press a pecan half into each melted chocolate. You now have a deliciously warm candy.
Let them cool completely to room temperature. That’s it. You’re in for a treat.
How to Store Rolo Pretzel Bites
Allow the pretzel turtles to cool on the baking sheet. Place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to one week.
Rolo Pretzel Turtles Candy Recipe Variations
Pretzels. You can use any pretzel for this recipe. Round pretzels, square pretzels, or even a stack of the sticks. Swap out the pretzels for a cracker or vanilla wafer.
Rolo Candies. While we love this choice, you can swap this out for Hershey’s Kisses, white chocolate, other caramel and chocolate candies, or mini reese’s peanut butter cups.
Pecan Halves. Our whole family loves the crunchy pecans the best, but you can swap this out for any type of nut or even a colorful m&m.
Here are a few other snacks that we enjoy often.
Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescent Balls
Make this Peach Salsa or Mango Salsa and bring a bag of corn chips.
Bring Charcuterie Board Snacks.
Deviled Eggs are always a hit.
3 Ingredient Rolo Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters Recipe
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 11 Ounces Rolo candies 1 bag has 50 Rolos, each tube has 8
- 50 pieces Mini Pretzels
- 50 pieces Pecan Halves Roasted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
- On a baking sheet, arrange the pretzels in a single layer. Unwrap and place a Rolo on top of each pretzel. Place in the oven for 3 minutes. Note: do not leave the candy in the oven too long or it will be too melted and runny to work with. I will fill two large cookie sheets at once for even faster candy nut cluster making.11 Ounces Rolo candies, 50 pieces Mini Pretzels
- Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and place a pecan half on top of each Rolo, making sure to push down just a bit.50 pieces Pecan Halves
- Place somewhere at room temperature or a bit cooler to let the caramel set.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
How to Store Pecan Turtles
Store the turtle candy in an airtight container. Make a single layer with pieces of parchment paper or waxed paper between the next layer so the caramel does not stick together. There is a short video of this recipeNutrition
What kind of pretzels should I use?
When it comes to making these delightful treats, you have the flexibility to choose your favorite type of pretzels. Whether you opt for classic pretzel twists, pretzel squares, or even pretzel snaps, the choice is yours.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with different pretzel shapes or varieties to add your unique touch to this delicious treat. The key is to select pretzels that you enjoy, as they’ll form the tasty base for these delightful cookies. So, raid the snack aisle or your local grocery store and pick the pretzels that make your taste buds dance.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely, you can double this recipe to make a larger batch.
This makes about 48 sweet snacks so if you are wanting to make more for serving guests or to give as gifts, you will definitely want to double or even triple the recipe.
If you’re looking to share these easy treats or if you just want more to enjoy, just be sure to have enough ingredients on hand. It’s one of the easiest treats to make more of.
Tips for Doubling Recipe Success
When making this rolo pretzel turtles recipe, I find that I can comfortably fit 48 on a cookie sheet.
Each year, I make 3 to 4 batches. I use a separate baking sheet for each batch. This is a lot of candies for the Holiday season. You might need additional baking sheets if you want to make more.
Once I press the pecan half into the melted Rolo, I let them cool right on the baking sheet. That way, there is no mess, and no problem finding another place to let them cool without sticking together.
Wait until they are completely cool. Serve on a platter or place in an airtight container for storing or pretty glass jar for gifting.
Store in a cool place so the chocolate and caramel doesn’t melt.
While this simple recipe makes the Perfect Holiday Treats, we have a few other delicious recipes for you to try.
Roasting Nuts the Easy Way
Roasting Nuts in an Oven. The easiest way is to place the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them in an oven that has been pre heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. After 5 minutes, give them a stir and toast for 5 more minutes. Allow to cool before proceeding with the recipe.
Roasting Nuts in a Sauce Pan or Large Skillet. Heat the pan up to a medium-high heat. Add a couple of cups of pecans to the skillet and spread them out in a single layer. Cook then in the pan on direct heat without any added cooking spray or butter in the pan. After approximately 10 seconds, give them a stir. Continue stirring in 10 second intervals like this for 5 to 10 minutes until the nuts are fragrant and have slightly darkened in color. You might see a few toasted looking marks on them.
