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Homemade chocolate turtles with pecans on parchment paper.
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Homemade Chocolate Pecan Turtles [High Protein]

Crunchy pecans with gooey caramel sauce all coated in rich chocolate and sprinkled with salt. These pecan turtles are the best blend of healthy indulgence.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword no bake dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 7
Calories 257kcal
Author Shelby Stover

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Dates soaked in warm water
  • ⅓ cup Pecan halves plus more for topping
  • 3 tablespoons Almond butter natural and fresh
  • 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons Collagen powder
  • Pinch Sea salt
  • ⅓ cup Dairy-free chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon Coconut oil

Instructions

  • If you haven’t already, soak the dates in warm water for 20 minutes and then drain them.
  • In a food processor, blend the almond butter, dates, and maple syrup until mostly smooth.
    Dates and peanut butter in a mini food processor.
  • Scoop the mixture into a bowl and mix in the collagen powder.
  • Use a trigger ice cream scoop to portion the turtle mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
    Raw date-based balls on a parchment paper lined sheet.
  • Press 2-3 pecans into each turtle. When you press them in, flatter the turtle a bit.
  • In a small pot or in the microwave, melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips over low heat until combined. Whisk until smooth.
  • Use a spoon to portion the melted chocolate over each turtle, spread it around so that it coats the top.
    Homemade chocolate turtles with pecans on parchment paper.
  • Crush up some extra pecans and sprinkle them and the sea salt on top.
  • Pop the tray into the freezer for 45 minutes to set.

Video

Notes

Soak the dates in warm water for about 30 minutes before you need them. Then, drain the water. This makes them so much easier to blend.
If you want to skip the protein punch, use almond flour in place of collagen powder.
You can toast the pecans if you have time, it brings out a much richer flavor. Not necessary but absolutely delicious.
Try to add as little water or liquid to the date mixture as possible. Otherwise, they get too sticky.
The turtles are best eaten out of the fridge. They can sit at room temperature for a bit, but they do get pretty soft.
If you like texture in your turtles, leave the dates a bit chunky when blended. If you want it smooth, spend some time scraping them down.

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg