“Turtles” Dates with Candied Pecans
Enjoy these plant-based “Turtles” Dates and skip out on the commercialized, factory-produced version.
If you have a sweet tooth these are the perfect treat for you. These turtles are delicious, vegan, and much healthier than what you may find in the grocery store.
Like our “Snickers” Stuffed Dates recipe, our “Turtles” dates with candied pecans re-imagine the flavor of a childhood classic. With soft, chewy Medjool dates, rich dark chocolate, and cinnamon-roasted candied pecans, you’ll be sure to fall in love with every bite.
“Turtles” Dates
Pecans, chocolate, and caramel: the simple delicacies of a classic “turtle”.
Turtles are indulgent chocolate-y treats that have been around for over a century. They get their name from their turtle-like resemblance, with pecans representing their feet, caramel shaping the body, and a layer of chocolate covering it like a shell.
In 1918, turtles were created by Bobbi & Louis Gordon Hopper at their Confections Company in California. Shortly after, “turtles” became popular in the San Francisco area before becoming a huge hit all over the nation.
Classic “turtles” are not considered vegan, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Want to enjoy these chocolate delights without any of the milk, excessive sugar, and additive ingredients? Follow our recipe below to create an even better version of this decadent dessert.
Plant-Based “Turtles” Dates vs. Brand Name “Turtles”
It’s no secret that commercial candy bars and sweets are full of highly processed, additive ingredients.
Most of them contain dairy, making them unsuitable for plant-based lifestyles.
Listed below are the ingredient comparisons between the traditional DeMet’s “Turtles” Caramel Nut Clusters and our Plant-Based “Turtles” Dates with Candied Pecans.
DeMet’s “Turtles” Caramel Nut Clusters Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Nonfat Milk, Butteroil, Lactose, Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanillin, Salt), Pecans, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Palm Oil, Nonfat Milk, Butteroil, and Less than 1% of Sodium Caseinate, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color.
Plant-Based “Turtles” Dates with Candied Pecans Ingredients: Medjool Dates, Pecans, Dark Chocolate, Plant-Based Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt.
Why not snack with purpose? Plant-Based “Turtles” dates are incredibly healthier and tastier than the processed counterpart.
“Turtles” Dates with Candied Pecans
Recipe Author: Nicole Riggs
Soft, chewy medjool dates, rich dark chocolate, and cinnamon-roasted candied pecans combine together in clusters to create an indulgent, plant-based rendition of a childhood classic: "Turtles"
Ingredients
"Turtles"
~17 fresh medjool dates
1 cup dark chocolate
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup candied pecans see recipe below
Candied Pecans
1 cup pecans
1 1/2 tbsp plant-based butter we used Miyoko's
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 water
1/2 tbsp refined coconut oil
1 cup sweetened dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Start preparing candied pecans by melting plant based butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add candied pecans, toss in butter, and cook for a few minutes until lightly toasted and aromatic.
Then, add brown sugar, toss, and let cook for one more minute.
Next, add cinnamon, sea salt, and water. Stir and cook until all water is absorbed.
Add vanilla extract, mix until well combined, and remove from heat.
Spread pecans on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Make sure they're spaced out enough to avoid sticking together.
Place in oven for about 10 mins . Remove and allow to cool.
Arrange pecans in clusters of 3 or 4.
Pit your dates, slicing down the middle & removing the pit. Stretch open and place down firmly on the pecan clusters.
In the microwave or on the stovetop, melt coconut oil and dark chocolate. Drizzle over the pecan dates until fully covered.
Place in fridge to cool. Once chocolate is solid, lightly sprinkle cracked sea salt on top.
Store in fridge until ready to eat. Enjoy your delicious treat!
“Turtles” Dates with Candied Pecans – Health Benefits
Our “Turtles” dates with candied pecans require only a few simple main ingredients. These ingredients are natural and nutritious, making dessert a healthy treat without skimping on the flavor.
Fresh Medjool Dates:
Packing in more potassium than bananas, medjool dates are full of incredible nutrients. Dates are fiber-rich, containing 7 grams of fiber in a single 3.5 ounce serving. They are high in vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B, magnesium, and copper, along with lots of antioxidants. Comprised of 18% copper, medjool dates help efficiently absorb of iron within the body.
Dark Chocolate:
Dark chocolate is full of important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. These minerals aid in supporting immunity, bone health, and better sleep quality.
Dark chocolate has also shown to alleviate feelings of depression, sadness, and mood swings. This antioxidant-rich treat naturally lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, promoting calmness and a better sense of well-being. Some studies have found that participants who ate dark chocolate on a daily basis maintained a more positive overall mood than participants who did not.
Chocolate that makes you feel better inside and out? Now that’s heaven on Earth!
Pecans:
A heart-healthy nut, pecans are loaded with good-for-you unsaturated fats and more than 19 vitamins and minerals. Nutrient-dense and fiber-rich, pecans are also a naturally gluten-free & vegan protein source.
Pecans are a particularly excellent source of Vitamin E, protecting cells in the body from inflammation and oxidative damage. Evidently, diets rich in Vitamin E have proven to have substantial neurological benefits, lowering the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia by nearly 25%.
Of course, dessert is supposed to be indulgent and satisfying. With the delicious combination of these simple plant-based ingredients, dessert can be healthy too!
All in all, “Turtles” dates with candied pecans are tasty, flavorful, and loaded with good-for-you ingredients that will leave your body feeling happy and nourished.
