It really doesn’t get any better than a buckeye-inspired dessert recipe. Or does it? Because these chocolate covered peanut butter turtles have a salty, nutty, gooey caramel pecan topping, making this classic chocolate treat even better. These chocolate candies are simple to make, but are guaranteed to disappear fast!
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Best Chocolate Candy Combo – Peanut Butter Turtles Truffles
Where are all my peanut butter lovers? Evidently right here if you landed on this page. You love peanut butter, you love turtle candies, so how can’t the two smashed together be even better?
This recipe came about after the success of another buckeye dessert recipe – fudgy buckeye turtle brownies. The marriage of salty nuts, caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter was something I needed to run back in a different version.
Growing up in the Midwest, I’m no stranger to Buckeyes. It’s one of the first recipes I remember making on my own. For this recipe, we keep the simple chocolate peanut butter base. Once those are assembled, a gooey turtle topping is melted together and dolloped on top.
For the best finishing touch I highly recommend a little sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top. Truth be told, I often feel like the salty finish is the perfect ending, from a dash on 5-minute gooey peanut butter glaze, scotcheroos, fudge, or homemade fudgy chocolate flourless cookies.
What can I say? It works. 🤷♀️
Tips and Tricks To Remember
- Make sure the peanut butter dough is very cold / slightly frozen before inserting the toothpick in. This will help the toothpick stay in place when the ball is dipped into the melted chocolate.
- The warm turtle topping may drizzle down a little after placing it on top of each ball. Don’t worry about it. After you’re finished, go back and “reshape” the caramel with your fingers so it all sits on top.
- Instead of sprinkling flaky sea salt on top make a salted turtle topping. Add ½ teaspoon salt to the melted caramel.
- I usually melt chocolate chips for dipping chocolate because I always have them on hand. However, sometimes the chocolate “blooms,” or gets little white spots after it cools. Check out this peanut butter chocolate bark recipe for tips to avoid this.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. Once the un-dipped peanut butter balls are frozen, just transfer to a gallon freezer bag and freeze until you are ready to dip.
If you would rather make the recipe in its entirety, freeze the turtles on a baking sheet first, then transfer to gallon freezer bag. When ready to serve, place back on wax-paper lined baking sheet to thaw. They will maintain their shape and won’t stick together.
You can also store in an airtight container on wax paper sheets in the refrigerator for a couple weeks. Just make sure to set out at room temperature first, before serving, so the turtle topping can soften.
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Buckeye-Style Peanut Butter Turtles
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or shortening
- 20 squares unwrapped caramels , (about ½ 11 ounce bag)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- optional flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, butter, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and powdered sugar using a hand held mixer or stand mixer until smooth.1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 ⅔ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Scoop out a tablespoon and roll into a smooth 1" ball. Arrange the balls on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place in baking sheet in freezer for 15 minutes once all the dough has been shaped.
- In a microwave safe bowl place chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Microwave on high for 30 seconds – 1 minute until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or shortening
- Spear a toothpick into the top of each frozen peanut butter ball and holding the toothpick, dip each ball into the melted chocolate about halfway up. Set dipped peanut butter ball back on the wax-paper lined baking sheet, removing the toothpick. Once all the peanut butter balls have been dipped, set aside.
- Place unwrapped caramel squares and milk into another microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until caramels are melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped pecans and stir to combine.20 squares unwrapped caramels , 1 tablespoon milk, ¾ cup chopped pecans
- Spoon a small amount of turtle topping on each peanut butter ball. Sprinkle immediately with optional sea salt. Put baking sheet in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to set chocolate and caramel. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Notes
Free Guide! 5 easy tips for baking like a gluten-free pro!
Simple hacks for fail-proof gluten-free dishes every time!
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Wow! my husband LOVES peanut butter and I love caramel. YUM!
Sounds like a very smart man!
You are very correct! Everything is better when someone else makes it. A friend made these for me and they were beyond wonderful!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them. These are best shared 😉
That was a fun story behind the peanut butter! These are great to share at work or with neighbors. Apparently they taste better when someone else make them, I’m told. But you’re right -the peanut butter is a hit!
Thanks, Megan! I agree, dessert always tastes better when someone else makes it. Also, when you eat it the next day after you haven’t been making it (and tasting it) for too long 😉