Warm, gooey, and packed with crunchy pecans, this Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe hits all the right notes when you want an easy yet impressive treat. It’s the kind of candy that fills your kitchen with heavenly chocolate aroma and makes you want to sneak just one—okay, maybe two or three.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it’s so fuss-free but looks like you put in way more effort. Plus, the combination of melty chocolate, buttery pecans, and chewy caramel Rolos? Absolute magic on your taste buds.
- Effortless Slow Cooker Magic: You just toss in ingredients and let the crockpot do its thing—minimal stirring required.
- Perfect for Gifting: Beautifully portioned candies that make great homemade gifts or party favors.
- Customizable and Festive: Easily dress it up with sprinkles, sea salt, or swap nuts to fit any holiday or mood.
- Lasts Well: These candies keep their wonderful texture and flavor for weeks, so you can savor your creation gradually.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in balancing texture and flavor. The pecans provide crunch and a buttery backdrop, while the triple chocolate combination brings depth and richness. Rolos add that dreamy caramel center, tying it all together beautifully.
- Pecan halves: Fresh pecans give a toasty crunch that contrasts the creamy chocolate perfectly—look for whole, unbroken halves.
- Chocolate almond bark: Melts smoothly and sets nicely; if you can’t find almond bark, white chocolate with a bit of shortening works well as a substitute.
- Bittersweet chocolate: Adds a slightly intense chocolate flavor to balance the sweeter elements.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Their familiar sweetness keeps the candy approachable and luscious.
- Salt: Just a pinch brightens the chocolate’s depth, making everything pop.
- Rolo candies: These unwrapped caramels wrapped in milk chocolate provide that irresistible gooey surprise inside.
- Sea salt and sprinkles (optional): Sea salt for textural contrast; sprinkles bring festive color and personality.
Make It Your Way
I love to tweak this recipe depending on the season or occasion. Sometimes I swap pecans with walnuts for a slightly earthier crunch, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon during the holidays for a warm twist. Go ahead and make it your own!
- Nut Free Version: I’ve had great success swapping pecans for crispy cereals like Rice Krispies when I needed a nut-free treat—still delicious and fun!
- Chocolate Swap: Using milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet gives a sweeter profile that kids especially love.
- Festive Sprinkles: Adding themed sprinkles really elevates it for holidays—I've done green and red for Christmas and orange and black for Halloween, and it always brings smiles.
- Extra Mix-ins: Throwing in a cup of dried cranberries or craisins adds a nice chewy surprise I personally enjoy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe
Step 1: Layer Ingredients in the Crockpot
I start by dumping the pecans right into the bottom of my 4 or 6-quart crockpot. Then the chunked almond bark, bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chips, and salt go straight on top—but here’s the trick: I don’t stir them at this point. Letting them melt undisturbed for an hour on low heat gives the chocolate a chance to soften evenly without burning.
Step 2: Stir and Continue Cooking
After about an hour, I pluck the lid off and give everything a good stir. Watching the chocolate slowly melt and integrate with the pecans is pure satisfaction. Then I let it cook for another 30 to 45 minutes on low, stirring a couple of times to keep things smooth and well mixed. This also helps prevent any scorching on the sides.
Step 3: Assemble the Candy on Wax Paper
I lay out two strips of wax paper on a flat surface, then place unwrapped Rolos about three inches apart. Using a tablespoon, I scoop generous mounds of the chocolate-pecan mixture over each Rolo—watching the caramel peek through makes it irresistible. For the final touch, I sprinkle sea salt or festive sprinkles on top while the candy’s still warm so they stick nicely.
Step 4: Let the Candy Set
Patience is key here. I let the candies fully firm up at room temperature—it usually takes a couple of hours. You can speed this up by popping them in the fridge if you’re excited, but room temp preserves the best texture.
Top Tip
Since I’ve made this Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe many times, a few small tweaks made all the difference to me. These tips helped me avoid rookie mistakes and get the perfect candy every time.
- Low and Slow is the Way: Resist the urge to crank up heat; melting chocolate slowly ensures smooth texture without scorch.
- Don’t Skip Stirring: Stirring halfway prevents uneven melting and clumps, keeping the candy creamy and consistent.
- Use Wax Paper for Easy Release: Wax paper helps the candy lift off cleanly once set, no sticky mess.
- Watch the Salt: Just a pinch enhances flavor without overpowering; too much can pull focus from the sweet notes.
How to Serve Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of sprinkling flaky sea salt on top—it adds a subtle crunch and makes the chocolate really pop. Around the holidays, I throw on colorful round sprinkles or themed shapes to give it festive flair. Trust me, the sprinkles make it feel extra special and perfect for sharing.
Side Dishes
This candy pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai—something warm and comforting to balance the sweet richness. I also like serving it alongside a simple fruit platter or festive nuts for a varied treat tray that guests can mix and match.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve gifted this candy, I arrange pieces in mini holiday-themed paper cups or stack them in a pretty jar tied with twine. For parties, setting up a little candy station with bowls of different toppings (extra sprinkles, sea salt, crushed nuts) invites everyone to personalize their own treats, which is always a hit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store the leftover candies in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. They keep their lovely texture and flavor for 2 to 3 weeks without any fuss. Make sure they’re fully set before storing so they don’t stick together.
Freezing
Freezing works well for longer storage. I wrap the candies individually in wax paper and pack them in a freezer-safe container, where they stay fresh for up to 6 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temp—no need to microwave.
Reheating
Since these are candy treats, reheating isn’t usually necessary. But if you want to soften any chilled pieces, I gently warm them for just a few seconds in the microwave or let them sit in a warm spot for a bit. That way, you keep the creamy texture without melting completely.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can substitute pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even a nut-free option like crispy cereals to suit your preference or dietary needs.
If almond bark is unavailable, white chocolate with a tablespoon of shortening makes a great substitute to help with smooth melting and setting.
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, this candy stays fresh for 2 to 3 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
While this recipe is designed for a crockpot, you can melt the ingredients gently in a double boiler on the stove, stirring often to avoid scorching. Just be sure to add pecans after the chocolate has melted and cool slightly before scooping onto Rolos.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe enough—it’s a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Whether you’re making it for a party, a gift, or just because, you’ll feel proud and pleased with how easy it is to create something so indulgent. Honestly, it’s become my go-to when I want to impress without sweating the details, and I’m sure you’ll love it just as much.
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Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 75 candies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Turtle Crockpot Candy is a delightful treat combining pecan halves, rich chocolate, and creamy Rolos, all slow-cooked to perfection in your crockpot. This easy no-fuss recipe yields delicious, festive candies perfect for gifting or enjoying any time.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 32 ounces pecan halves
- 32 ounces chocolate almond bark, cubed
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Assembly
- 75 Rolo candies, unwrapped
- Sea salt, optional for sprinkling
- Sprinkles, optional for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Place the pecans, cubed almond bark, bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and salt into a 4 or 6-quart crockpot without stirring.
- Cook first phase: Cook on low heat for 1 hour without stirring to allow the ingredients to start melting and mixing.
- Stir and continue cooking: After 1 hour, stir the mixture thoroughly, then continue cooking on low for another 45 minutes, stirring again to ensure all chocolate is fully melted. Then turn off the slow cooker.
- Set up for candy assembly: Lay two long strips of wax paper on a clean, level surface. Place the unwrapped Rolo candies approximately 3 inches apart on the wax paper.
- Assemble candies: Using a tablespoon, scoop mounds of the chocolate-pecan mixture and carefully place them over each Rolo candy.
- Optional finishing touches: Sprinkle sea salt and sprinkles over the candies if desired for added flavor and decoration.
- Allow to set: Let the candies fully set at room temperature until firm before enjoying or packaging for storage.
Notes
- If almond bark is unavailable, substitute with white chocolate and add 1 tablespoon of shortening to achieve a similar texture.
- Store the candies in an airtight container in a cool, dark place; they will last 2 to 3 weeks.
- You can freeze the candies for up to 6 months without loss of quality.
- For festive variation, use colored sprinkles according to the holiday theme (e.g., orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas).
- Milk chocolate chips can be used instead of semi-sweet for a creamier flavor.
- Other nuts may be substituted, or you can replace nuts with cereals like Chex or Rice Krispies for a nut-free option.
- Add a cup of dried craisins for a fruity texture and flavor boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg

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