Healthy Cashew Caramel Turtle Candy
Cashew turtles are sweet, delicious clusters of cashews and gooey caramel that have been enrobed in sweet, decadent chocolate. They are just like the classic candy shaped like a small turtle, that is often made with pecans, but instead are made with sweet, buttery cashews. Cashews have a slightly softer texture than pecans and are a bit sweeter with a buttery flavour. They are my favourite nut and taste incredible when combined with caramel and chocolate. While these homemade turtle candies aren’t in the traditional shape of a turtle, they taste just as good!
Servings 20
Ingredients
Date Caramel
- 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cashew Clusters
- 1 1/2 cups cashews, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Topping
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Date Caramel
- First, make the date caramel (you can even make this a day or more ahead of time, but you don't need to).Put the dates and vanilla in a food processor and process, scraping the sides of the bowl down if necessary until your "caramel" is thick and creamy
Cashew Clusters
- To lightly toast your chopped cashews for more flavour (optional), put them in a skillet over medium heat, stirring, until lightly browned.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon small scoops of the cashews about 2 inches apart - I made 20 total.Top with a small scoop (about a tablespoon) of date caramel, over each pile of cashews, gently sticking the loose nuts to the caramel.Next, place the tray in the fridge or freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the caramel to firm up while you melt the chocolate.Melt Chocolate: Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth. Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Carefully spoon or pour the melted chocolate mixture over each cluster, using up all the chocolate, then chill the clusters on the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens to form a shell.Leftover date caramel should be kept in the refrigerator in a lidded container for up to two weeks.