There’s something seriously addictive about the blend of chocolate and pecans melting together in the slow cooker, and that’s exactly why my Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe has become a go-to treat in my house. It’s incredibly simple, wonderfully rich, and delivers that perfect sweet-and-salty crunch every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love sharing this Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe because it’s fuss-free but feels fancy—perfect for holidays, gifts, or just a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. It’s one of those recipes that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing and leave everyone asking for seconds.
- Super Easy Prep: Toss everything into the slow cooker with minimal stirring until it melts into a smooth, dreamy chocolate and pecan mix.
- No Candy Thermometer Needed: The slow cooker does the work for you, so no guesswork on melting temperatures.
- Customizable: Swap nuts, chocolates, or add sprinkles for seasonal flair—you’ll see how fun it is to make it your own.
- Perfect Gift Idea: Packaged in festive tins or jars, it’s a thoughtful and delicious homemade present.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe plays a crucial role in the balance of flavors and textures. From the crunch of the pecans to the rich melty chocolate layers, here’s why I choose each one and some shopping tips to make your candy turn out perfect.
- Pecan Halves: They bring that classic nutty crunch and natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Chocolate Almond Bark: Melts smoothly and sets with a nice snap; if it’s tricky to find, white chocolate with a bit of shortening works great as a substitute.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: Adds a depth of flavor that balances the sweeter chips so your candy isn’t cloying.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: They melt easily and bring familiar chocolate goodness everyone loves.
- Salt: Just a touch enhances all the chocolate’s richness and complements the sweetness perfectly.
- Rolo Candies: These fun caramel-filled treats create little surprises of chewy caramel under the chocolate nut mounds.
- Sea Salt (optional): Sprinkling a bit on top adds a tasty salinity that lingers deliciously.
- Sprinkles (optional): Great for adding a splash of color and festive fun, especially around holidays.
Make It Your Way
I totally encourage you to make this recipe your own. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it here and there depending on what’s in my pantry or the kind of occasion I’m preparing for. It’s a wonderfully forgiving recipe that lets you get creative without stressing out.
- Nut Swap: Once, I swapped pecans for walnuts and added a handful of dried cranberries—crazy good combo if you like a little tartness mixed in.
- Chocolate Variations: I sometimes use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet to make it sweeter; it depends on my mood or the crowd I’m serving.
- Nut-Free Version: Try using cereals like Chex or Rice Krispies if you need a nut-free option—still crunchy and satisfying.
- Seasonal Sprinkles: Colored sprinkles make it festive; I love black and orange for Halloween and classic red and green come Christmas.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe
Step 1: Layer in the Slow Cooker
Start by adding your pecan halves, chocolate almond bark cubes, bittersweet chocolate chunks, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and salt straight into your crockpot. I like not stirring at this point to allow the chocolate to melt evenly as the heat rises low and slow. Set your crockpot on low and let it work its magic for about 1 hour.
Step 2: Stir and Continue Cooking
After the initial hour, give everything a good stir to help the chocolate pieces combine smoothly with the pecans. Keep it on low for another 30 to 45 minutes, stirring again toward the end. By now, you’ll see a glossy, thick chocolate coating every pecan—a total jackpot moment. Then, turn the slow cooker off.
Step 3: Prep the Candy Base
While the candy is finishing, place two long strips of wax paper on a clean, flat surface. Unwrap your Rolo candies and set them about 3 inches apart on the wax paper, spaced generously to prevent sticking together once you add the nutty chocolate mounds.
Step 4: Scoop and Set
Use a tablespoon to scoop the chocolate-pecan mixture and plop mounds over each Rolo. If you like, sprinkle sea salt and some festive sprinkles right on top. Let the candy cool and set completely—this usually takes a couple of hours at room temperature. Once firm, they're ready to enjoy or gift!
Top Tip
I’ve made this candy countless times, and a few little tips really make all the difference between good and unforgettable, so here’s what I’ve learned along the way.
- Use the Right Slow Cooker Size: A 4 to 6-quart crockpot works best; too small can cause overflow, and too large won’t heat evenly.
- Don’t Rush the Melting: Low and slow is key. High heat may cause the chocolate to seize or burn, so patience pays off big time.
- Stir Gently but Thoroughly: When you do stir, scrape the sides and bottom so all chocolate melts evenly without clumps.
- Seal for Freshness: Store your candy in an airtight container in a cool place—to avoid sticky messes and keep them tasting fresh.
How to Serve Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt after scooping each candy to bring out that sweet-and-salty magic, and during holidays, I love adding bright colored round sprinkles that make the treats extra joyful and eye-catching.
Side Dishes
This candy pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a rich glass of milk—especially when friends stop by for a cozy chat. They’re also lovely alongside homemade fudge or buttery shortbread cookies during festive gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I love layering these candies in clear jars tied with rustic twine and a handwritten tag. For parties, arrange them on pretty platters lined with parchment and sprinkle a few extra pecans and mini candies around for that “wow” factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store my leftover candy in airtight containers at room temperature, preferably somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. They’ll keep fresh and crunchy for 2 to 3 weeks this way, which is usually enough time for everyone to enjoy them!
Freezing
Freezing works well too if you want to save them longer. I wrap batches tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. They stay delicious for up to 6 months—perfect for prepping holiday treats well in advance.
Reheating
When I want to soften the candy a bit after freezing, I just let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Avoid microwaving unless you want a melty, gooey mess—which can be fun, but not if you want pretty candies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While pecans are classic here, walnuts, almonds, or cashews would all work wonderfully. You can even go completely nut-free by swapping nuts for cereals like Rice Krispies or Chex. Just choose what you enjoy most!
No worries! You can substitute white chocolate for the almond bark, just add about a tablespoon of shortening to help it melt smoothly and set properly. This helps mimic the texture and consistency of commercial almond bark.
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, this candy stays fresh for about 2 to 3 weeks. If you freeze it, it can last up to 6 months without losing flavor or texture. Just make sure it’s sealed well!
You could try melting the ingredients gently on a stovetop double boiler, but the slow cooker method is hands-down easier and less likely to burn the chocolate. The slow cooker gives you that perfect, even melting and hands-free cooking that makes this recipe so foolproof.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chocolate Pecan Candy Recipe is like a warm hug in candy form — it’s easy, comforting, and always impresses without any stress. I genuinely hope you’ll give it a try and find as much joy making (and eating) it as I do. Trust me, once you’ve got this in your recipe box, it’ll be your next favorite sweet tradition.
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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: Snack
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Turtle Crockpot Candy is a delicious and easy-to-make treat combining pecans, rich chocolate, and sweet Rolo candies. Perfect for gifting or enjoying as a festive snack, this recipe uses a slow cooker to melt chocolates smoothly and create delightful chocolate-coated pecan clusters topped on caramel-filled Rolos.
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
Toppings
- 75 Rolo candies
- Sea salt, optional
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Add ingredients to crockpot: Place the pecans, cubed chocolate almond bark, bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and salt into a 4 or 6-quart crockpot without stirring them together.
- Cook on low for 1 hour: Let the ingredients cook on low heat for 1 hour to begin melting the chocolates and warming the pecans.
- Stir and continue cooking: Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine the melted chocolates and pecans, then cook on low for an additional 45 minutes, stirring again halfway through. Ensure the chocolate mixture is fully melted.
- Prepare wax paper and Rolo candies: Lay two long strips of wax paper on a clean, flat surface and place the unwrapped Rolo candies about 3 inches apart on the paper.
- Assemble candies: Using a tablespoon, scoop mounds of the chocolate-coated pecan mixture and place them over the Rolos. Optionally, sprinkle with sea salt and festive sprinkles for added flavor and decoration.
- Set and serve: Allow the candy to fully set at room temperature until firm before serving or packaging for storage.
Notes
- If almond bark is unavailable, substitute with white chocolate and add 1 tablespoon of shortening to achieve a similar consistency.
- Store the crockpot candy in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It will last up to 2 to 3 weeks.
- You can freeze the candy for up to 6 months for longer storage.
- For festive variation, use colored sprinkles themed for holidays like orange and black for Halloween or red and green for Christmas.
- Milk chocolate chips can replace semi-sweet chocolate chips for a smoother blend with the bittersweet chocolate.
- Feel free to substitute pecans with other nuts or use cereals like Chex or Rice Krispies to make a nut-free alternative.
- Adding 1 cup of craisins to the chocolate mixture can provide additional flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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