These Vegan Keto Turtles, or Keto Caramel Pecan Clusters as some people call them, are the perfect Keto Candy! They feature nuts coated in an easy and creamy Paleo or Keto caramel sauce and covered in chocolate – I think I’m in love!
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Keto Caramel Nut Clusters AKA Keto Turtles
Turtles are one of my favorite candies so I’m sooooo excited to finally have a Keto version to share with you now that I perfected my Keto Caramel Sauce!
They feature nuts coated in an easy and creamy keto caramel sauce and covered in chocolate – what’s not to love!?!
Speaking of chocolate, I have 2 chocolate options for you to choose from depending on how sweet you prefer them to be and how many carbs you want them to have.
The first chocolate version consists of melting allergy-friendly chocolate chips with some coconut oil. This is the version my kids prefer because they’re a bit sweeter, however, it does make the carb count slightly higher.
The second chocolate version is a mixture of cocoa powder and coconut oil that is sweetened with liquid vanilla stevia.
This version isn’t quite as sweet, but they’re lower in carbs and still have that classic turtle taste that will satisfy the fiercest of cravings!
Here Are The Easy Steps
Start with the keto caramel sauce. If you’re Paleo, simply sub in Paleo Caramel Sauce.
Start by adding 1/4 cup of butter to a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Once melted, turn down to a low simmer and simmer 5 minutes, or until nicely golden.
For the butter, I prefer to use grass-fed butter because it tastes so much better than regular butter. It’s also way healthier! It has vitamin K-2 (which is good for your arteries!), good fats, and anti-inflammatory properties. If you are dairy-free, you can use non-dairy butter or non-hydrogenated shortening.
Add Lakanto Maple-flavored syrup (or preferred sugar-free syrup), Swerve or Lakanto Sweetener, and molasses. Bring back to a low simmer.
Simmer, untouched, 15 minutes. Then, sprinkle in the xanthan gum and coconut cream. Stir until everything is melted and dissolved. And be sure to sprinkle in the xanthan gum and not dump it in, otherwise, it will clump.
Whatever you do, don’t leave out the sugar-free maple syrup or the xanthan gum! These 2 ingredients are required when using an erythritol-based sweetener. Otherwise, the caramel will turn out grainy.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, water, sea salt, and pecans.
If using chocolate version #1, scoop out the caramel/pecan mixture into Tablespoon-sized amounts onto a lined baking sheet.
If using chocolate version #2, scoop the mixture into a lined mini muffin tin.
For chocolate version #1, melt some diet-friendly chocolate chips with coconut oil.
For version #2, mix together cocoa powder, coconut oil, pure vanilla, and liquid stevia or powdered Keto sweetener.
Drizzle the chocolate over the pecan/caramel mixture.
Place, uncovered, in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour, or until chocolate and caramel are set.
Store, tightly covered, in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer up to 3 months.
Expert Tips
- To make these turtles Paleo, simply use Paleo Caramel Sauce instead of the Keto Caramel in the recipe card.
- Chocolate coating #1 uses melted chocolate chips of your choice with a little oil. This version is similar to the caramel pecan clusters we all know and love!
- Chocolate coating #2 uses a mixture of cocoa powder, coconut oil, vanilla, and keto sweetener. While very good, this version isn’t nearly as sweet, but they’re super low in carbs and are the perfect turtle fat bomb recipe that will satisfy the fiercest of cravings!
- For coconut cream, place full-fat canned coconut milk in the fridge for 24 hours and scoop out the coagulated cream. I only recommend the Thai Kitchen, Native Forest or Sprouts brand. Other brands may not separate as well or leave a funny aftertaste.
- If you’re not dairy-free, you can replace the coconut cream with heavy whipping cream.
- I highly recommend using butter, ghee, or non-dairy butter for best taste. If the butter isn’t an option though, you can use non-hydrogenated shortening as a substitute
- Whatever you do, don’t leave out the sugar-free maple syrup or the xanthan gum! These 2 ingredients are required when using an erythritol-based sweetener. Otherwise, the caramel will turn out grainy.
- Don’t dump in the xanthan gum! Be sure to lightly sprinkle it in, otherwise, it will clump
- While the molasses is optional, I really prefer the caramel with the molasses. ESPECIALLY if you use don’t use a brown sweetener. The molasses gives it a deep caramel taste that is otherwise missing. It also covers up any “sugar-free” aftertaste.
- If you’re worried about adding molasses to a Keto recipe, keep in mind that molasses is considered a low glycemic sugar. One teaspoon only adds 5 net carbs to the entire batch! It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, chromium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin b6 and more!
Looking for more Keto Desserts? Check out my Peanut Butter Cups, Cut-Out Keto Sugar Cookies, and Chocolate Macadamia Nut Fat Bombs!
If you’ve tried these Keto Turtles or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!
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Keto Turtles Or Caramel Pecan Clusters
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Pecans or nuts of choice roughly chopped or halved
For The Caramel:
- 1/4 Cup Butter can use non-dairy
- 3 Tbsp. Brown Swerve or Brown Lakanto Sweetener can use the white variety if needed. If using white sweetener, I HIGHLY recommend adding the molasses!
- 2 Tbsp Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup or preferred maple-flavored sweetener
- 1 1/2 tsp. Molasses optional but very highly recommended
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Cream
- 1/8 tsp. xanthan gum
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla
- 1/8 tsp. Sea Salt
- 1 Tbsp. Filtered Water
Chocolate Coating #1 (Traditional Coating):
- 3/4 Cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
Chocolate Coating #2 (Lower Carb/Keto Coating):
- 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil melted
- Liquid Vanilla Stevia, to taste I used 24 drops (OR powdered Keto sweetener, to taste)
- 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until melted.
- Turn heat down to a low simmer and simmer 5 minutes, or until a deep golden brown.
- Stir in the Sweetener, Lakanto Maple Flavored Syrup, and molasses. Return to a low simmer. Then, simmer untouched, 15 minutes.
- Add the coconut cream and lightly sprinkle in the xanthan gum. Stir until dissolved.
- Remove from heat and stir in the pure vanilla, water, sea salt, and pecans.
Chocolate Coating #1:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop Tablespoon-sized amounts of the caramel pecan mixture onto the parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwaveable-safe bowl. Heat for 45 seconds then stir. Heat for 20 seconds then stir again. Repeat heating in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate chips are completely melted. If you prefer not to use a microwave, heat chocolate chips and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over a bowl of boiling water, being careful that the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir continuously until melted.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the caramel pecans, roughly 1 to 2 tsp. per cluster. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to an hour, or until the caramel and chocolate are set. Store, tightly covered, in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer up to 3 months.
Chocolate Coating #2:
- Line a mini muffin tin with 15 liners. Evenly divide the caramel pecan mixture between the muffin cups. Set aside.
- Mix together all of the chocolate coating #2 ingredients in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the caramel pecans, evenly dividing between each cup. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to an hour, or until the caramel and chocolate are set. Store, tightly covered, in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer up to 3 months.
Notes
- To make these turtles Paleo, simply use Paleo Caramel Sauce instead of the Keto Caramel in the recipe card.
- Chocolate coating #1 uses melted chocolate chips of your choice with a little oil. This version is similar to the caramel pecan clusters we all know and love!
- Chocolate coating #2 uses a mixture of cocoa powder, coconut oil, vanilla, and keto sweetener. While very good, this version isn’t nearly as sweet, but they’re super low in carbs and are the perfect turtle fat bomb recipe that will satisfy the fiercest of cravings!
- For coconut cream, place full-fat canned coconut milk in the fridge for 24 hours and scoop out the coagulated cream. I only recommend the Thai Kitchen, Native Forest or Sprouts brand. Other brands may not separate as well or leave a funny aftertaste.
- If you’re not dairy-free, you can replace the coconut cream with heavy whipping cream.
- I highly recommend using butter, ghee, or non-dairy butter for best taste. If the butter isn’t an option though, you can use non-hydrogenated shortening as a substitute
- Whatever you do, don’t leave out the sugar-free maple syrup or the xanthan gum! These 2 ingredients are required when using an erythritol-based sweetener. Otherwise, the caramel will turn out grainy.
- Don’t dump in the xanthan gum! Be sure to lightly sprinkle it in, otherwise, it will clump
- While the molasses is optional, I really prefer the caramel with the molasses. ESPECIALLY if you use don’t use a brown sweetener. The molasses gives it a deep caramel taste that is otherwise missing. It also covers up any “sugar-free” aftertaste.
- If you’re worried about adding molasses to a Keto recipe, keep in mind that molasses is considered a low glycemic sugar. One teaspoon only adds 5 net carbs to the entire batch! It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, chromium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin b6 and more!
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary.
Made these tonight….my family loved them! Thanks for giving us a keto version of one of our favorites!
Thanks Ann, I’m so excited you and your family liked them!!! Turtles have always been one of my favorite candies too ?
-Cassidy
Turtles have always been one of my favorite candies, I love that you made a healthier version!
Thank so much Shay!!!
What a tasty little treat, perfect for the holidays! I love using Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips 🙂
oooh, turtles were always my grandma’s favorite! I am saving this to make during the holidays… thank you!
You’re welcome Kristina!! Let me know how they turn out ?
-Cassidy