Chocolate Covered Turtles

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Sweet on Sweets

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (25)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(25)

Cook Time:
--
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
About 30 turtles

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Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, cut up, plus more for pans
3/4 pound pecan halves (about 3 1/2 cups), toasted
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening (recommended: Crisco)

Directions

Generously butter 2 baking sheets.

On the baking sheets, arrange the pecan halves in snowflake-shaped clusters of 5 pecans each, overlapping the nuts in the center, leaving 2 inches of space between each.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the evaporated milk, the corn syrup, and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk and the 4 tablespoons butter, and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches the soft ball stage, 240 degrees F. Stir in the vanilla and remove from the heat. Let cool to 200 degrees F.

Using a tablespoon, spoon caramel on top of each nut cluster and let harden. (If the caramel becomes too stiff to pour, return to low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until it returns to the proper consistency.)

To make the chocolate coating, in the top of a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over barely simmering water, combine 6 ounces of the chocolate and the shortening. Melt over low heat, stirring, until it reaches 116 to 118 degrees F, or feels fairly warm but not hot to the touch.

Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate reaches 80 degrees F or feels cool to the touch. Return to low heat and cook, stirring, until the temperature rises to 85 to 87 degrees F, or feels barely cool. Remove from the heat.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of tempered chocolate over each cluster. Set aside in a cool place to harden. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, with waxed paper separating the layers to prevent sticking.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Linda Louise, TX 12-15-2009
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Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Delicious and easy!
recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Amber Mundelein, IL 06-04-2009
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Yum!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

These turtles were pretty good overall. I can never temper chocolate correctly, but that's my deal. Also, I didn't use a... candy thermometer but did have a bowl of cold water nearby while I was cooking the caramel. I let it get a little too far into the hard ball stage, so its very very chewy (like pull your cavities out chewy) but still good. Next time, I'll cook the caramel less or just remember to finally get a candy thermometer!! Worth making though.Read more
recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Diane San Antonio, TX 12-27-2008
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Wonderful Turtles
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These were wonderful, the recipe was easy to follow and everyone who ate them raved. I suggest to those having troubles with... the caramel to get an accurate candy thermometer. I also used Lindt bittersweet chocolate instead of chocolate chips and crisco. They were shiny and delicious!Read more
recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Blakeley Highland, UT 09-28-2008
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Dang, I overcooked the caramel
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I made these for my family last Christmas I didnt have a candy themoniter so I overcooked the caramel making it hard so hard... that it would of broke someones teeth. They looked gorgeous though and would be good for a turtle photo shoot. This year I'm going to get a candy themoniter and try to make these again.Read more
recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Ana Alicia Shreveport, LA 01-10-2008
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Ooey Gooey Goodness!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was FANTASTIC!! As long as you watch the caramel and pull it off the heat as soon as it comes to 240 degrees it... will turn out soft and chewy. They take a little time to make, but they are SO worth the effort! My family loved them and I will make them again and again.Read more
recipe Chocolate Covered Turtles
Anonymous 12-16-2007
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HORRIBLE!!!
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

The worst ever!!! I didn't like the fact that the carmel was so hard! I almost cracked my tooth! Not worth all the work put... into it!! My family was disappointed!Read more