If there was one thing my mom absolutely slayed every single Christmas, it was her turtle candy. She didn’t need fancy tools or viral Pinterest boards - just some pantry basics, a big wooden spoon, and a whole lotta Christmas cheer. These Retro Caramel Pecan Turtle Cookies are my modern-meets-nostalgic twist on her iconic holiday treat - and yes, they’re technically candy, but we’re calling them cookies because they always belonged on the cookie tray.

You’ve got crunchy pecans, luscious dulce de leche caramel, and rich melty chocolate all layered together like the ultimate bite of Christmas joy. And because it’s the holidays, we top them with sparkly sprinkles so they can party with the best of the retro cookie platter crew.

They come together in minutes (15 to prep, 2 to “cook,” and then just a lil chill time), and they’re perfect for edible gifting, cookie exchanges, or those nights when you just need a little something sweet while watching vintage Rudolph reruns.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 10 oz chocolate melting wafers
• ⅔ cup pecan halves
• ½ cup dulce de leche caramel
• 1 tablespoon holiday sprinkles (go full 1980s with red, green, and maybe a few silver balls)

Makes: 18 retro turtle cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Down Time: 1 hour
Storage: Airtight container (stash a few in the back - you’ll thank me later)

Let’s Get Our Retro Bake On:

Line it up: Lay parchment on a tray or baking sheet. We’re not here for sticky messes.

Melt the chocolate: Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.

Drop the base: Spoon little puddles of melted chocolate onto your parchment.

Pecan party: Place 2-3 pecan halves on top of each chocolate base - kind of like a tiny edible snowflake.

Caramel love: Warm up your dulce de leche for 30 seconds, then dollop just a touch over the pecans. It’s sticky, sweet, and downright dreamy.

Top ‘em off: Add more chocolate on top to seal in the magic.

Sprinkle sparkle: Before they set, hit them with holiday sprinkles like it’s 1987 and you’ve got glitter in your bangs.

Chill time: Let them sit at room temp for about an hour or pop them in the fridge to speed things up.

Tips & Twists:

• No dulce de leche? You can melt down soft caramels with a splash of cream and it’ll work beautifully.
• Nut-free version: Swap pecans for pretzels or even dried fruit for a funky retro remix.
• Want to impress Grandma Linda? Add a drizzle of white chocolate or a tiny sprinkle of sea salt for that “I bought these at a fancy bakery” vibe.

These Caramel Pecan Turtles are the kind of sweet treat that instantly takes me back to childhood Christmases - tinsel on the tree, my mom in her sparkly sweater, and me sneaking one (okay, three) off the cookie tray before guests arrived. They’re fun, festive, and full of throwback flavor - just how holiday cookies should be!

Here are some more great recipes you might love:

• Old-Fashioned Rocky Road Christmas Cups (Just Like Grandma Made!)
• Peppermint Swirl Christmas Cupcakes (with Candy Cane Crunch!)
• Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe