Robin: These sweet-salty treats are so addictive that when I took them in to share at work, my colleagues complained for weeks that I had given them crack. (I suspect that their complaints were a thinly-veiled, desperate attempt to get me to bring in some more.) The combination of chocolate with smooth caramel, crunchy pretzel and a rich pecan can become habit-forming from the first one you try, and you really do want to just keep loading them into your mouth, one after another.
Hopefully, you will be able to find a control mechanism (like I have—sort of) to avoid having Turtles on a Raft become your entire diet. They are so easy to make, though, that their preparation will not be part of that mechanism. Mostly, these just have to be very simply assembled and very briefly baked.
Though the name Turtles on a Raft comes from my own inspiration, these snacks will be forever associated in my mind with my beloved Aunt Jane, who introduced me to them. Aunt Jane was the outdoorsy type and was never at her happiest in a kitchen, but she must have known how much everyone would love these treats, so she would make them to take to a “pitch-in” (which is what we here in Indiana often call a potluck). I´m so glad she did!
The 3 ingredients in these are Rolo candies, mini square (waffle type) pretzels, and pecan halves. You will need one of each item for every treat you make.
Turtles on a Raft
These treats will definitely give you your sweet-and-salty fix. Super easy to make in small or large quantities, easy to transport, like by nearly everyone, and non-messy, this is a great addition to a cookie tray or the perfect thing to take to a potluck at any time of year.
Ingredients
- 20 pieces mini square (waffle type) pretzels
- 20 pieces Rolo chocolate and caramel candies (unwrapped)
- 20 pieces pecan halves
Instructions
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Note: Use mini pretzel twists if you can’t find the waffle kind; the square pretzels just make the “raft” concept slightly more convincing.
1. Heat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 C).
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange pretzels on the baking sheet in a single layer, then place an unwrapped Rolo on top of each pretzel. Stick this in the oven for 4 or 5 minutes, until candy is soft but not melted.
2. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and immediately place a pecan half on top of each Rolo, pressing down just enough to get it to all stick nicely together.
Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 15 minutes or so until the chocolate has hardened nicely; this will facilitate removal of the treats from the foil.
Store in an airtight container. These will keep for weeks, especially if stored in the fridge. I like to keep these refrigerated or even frozen because that helps me control how quickly I consume them.
Variation: You can use Hershey kisses instead of Rolos and push a Reese´s piece or M&M on top in place of a pecan half—but I’ve never found those to be nearly as satisfying as the recipe above.
More super easy recipes:
- Cheese Cracklings (Chicharrón de queso)
- Shredded Beef Salad (Salpicón de res)
- Rhubarb Ice Pops
- Sweet Corn Pie
Other yummy sweet things:
Latest update: 22 May 2024
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