A delightful combination of sweet and salty, smooth and creamy, gooey and crispy – all in one little chocolatey bite. A super easy pretzel turtle recipe with a Hawaiian twist, macadamia nuts.
Every year for Christmas my sweet neighbor lovingly made chocolate covered caramel pretzel sticks and passed them out to her neighbors. When they arrived at our house, I always ate more than my share. I love chocolate and caramel and when you add in a salty, crunchy pretzel, they’re pretty much irresistible. Unfortunately, she moved a few years ago and I’ve been missing her pretzels and her ever since.
Lately on Pinterest I’ve seen lots of pins that incorporate those flavors I love in to a pretzel turtle. Best Bites and Steamy Kitchen, use a Rolo and a Pecan to create their turtles. You can top the Rolo with holiday M&M’s for a fun holiday twist, or use a holiday swirl Hershey’s Kiss like Kathie Cooks did to create Pretzel Hugs.
I changed up the idea to use the Macadamia Nut Clusters at Costco. If you’ve never had them, you’re missing out. They are addicting. Every time I would walk by them in the store, I’d think I’d better not buy them or I’ll eat the whole jar. Finally, I decide I needed to create a recipe that uses them as an ingredient so I’d have an excuse to buy them.
The pretzel turtle was the perfect recipe. They’re so simple, but people will never know how easy they are to make. My son thought I’d made the nut clusters. If you don’t tell neither will I.
Hawaiian Pretzel Turtles
Ingredients
- Macadamia Nut Clusters
- Pretzel Snaps
- White chocolate optional
Instructions
- Use a kitchen torch or multi-purpose lighter to heat the chocolate on the bottom of a nut cluster just until the chocolate starts to melt.
- Gently press a pretzel snap in to the melted chocolate. Set aside to cool. Drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.
Today’s post is week 5 of my 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats hosted by Brenda, Meal Planning Magic. Be sure and check out all of the fabulous treats the other 12 weeks of Christmas Treats bakers baked up for this week.
Annamaria
These look adorable. Bet they’re a hit at parties.
Cathy at Wives with Knives
I love recipes like this – great flavors and textures and so easy to make. That sweet – salt combination is irresistible.
Jersey Girl Cooks
Such a great idea. I am bookmarking this for one of my holiday treats.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Quick and irresistible!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
How fun and easy are these! Love it!
carrian
My mom’s family is all about turtle inspired desserts. It’s tradition that they all carry on. Can’t wait to share this with my mom
Emily
So cute and so easy–my kind of treat!
Linda
These look absolutely scrumptous. I love salty/sweet. I have a dish like the one you used in your picture. I took a picture last night of some orange/chocolate cookies in that very dish. Your picture looks really good. I’m still working on staging mine. thanks for sharing this! Drop by our Holiday Cooke Exchange and leave a recipe. Drop by my kitchen any time for a chat. Love to see you there.
Juliana
I love the idea of pretzel with chocolate…looks awesome!
Thanks for this simple recipe and hope you are having a great week Barbara 🙂
Valérie (France)
Ho Barbara, tu nous gâte, j’adore 🙂 avec les bretzels
Bises
Belle soirée
Valérie.
Karen Petersen
they look amazing, Barbara!
and so easy. win win.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
You come up with the cutest things 🙂
Deborah
I seriously will eat a whole container of those macadamia nut clusters!! These sound so perfect, and I love how easy they are!
Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies
Being from Hawaii, I grew up eating mac nut clusters. You are a genius to use them to make these treats. If you ever get ahold of the Caramacs, you should try using them too.
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
These are beautiful! I love traditional turtles, so I can only imagine that I’d love them with macadamia nuts. Such a great salty/sweet combination.
Louanne
How cute and delicious are these! I love these, Barbara!
Annalise
I want to make more candy-type treats this coming holiday season, and these would be perfect!
Katrina
Brilliant! I mean, could you BE any smarter? 😉 Perfect holiday or any day treat. I’ve always been afraid to buy that jar of chocolate covered nuts at Costco, too, but with an excuse now……
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Yes, please! What a fun, easy, snack!
Rosa
Irresistible.
Cheers,
Rosa