Turtle Fudge

If you love chocolate, caramel, and pecans, you’re going to fall in love with Turtle Fudge! It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with gooey caramel and crunchy pecans in every bite.

It’s like a turtle candy, but in fudge form—and it’s surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or when you need an indulgent treat.

Let’s make this deliciousness together!

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (plus extra for garnish)
1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: ½ cup melted chocolate for drizzling

Tools:

Medium saucepan
Heatproof spatula
8×8-inch baking pan
Parchment paper
Measuring cups/spoons

Pro Tips

Use good caramel. A high-quality caramel sauce will give the fudge that perfect gooey texture.
Line your pan. Parchment paper makes it easy to lift the fudge out once it’s set—don’t skip it!
Chill in layers. Let the chocolate fudge layer cool a little before adding the caramel so the layers don’t mix.
Customize your nuts. If you’re not a pecan fan, try walnuts or almonds instead!
Drizzle for flair. Add melted chocolate on top for a bakery-style finish.

Substitutions and Variations

Nut-free version: Skip the pecans and use crushed pretzels or mini marshmallows for texture.
Extra indulgent: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a salted caramel twist.
Dairy-free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and coconut condensed milk.

How to make it

1. Melt the Chocolate

In a medium saucepan, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

A medium saucepan on a stainless steel gas stove with semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk being stirred into a smooth, creamy mixture.

2. Mix in Pecans

Gently fold in the chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the chocolate mixture.

A saucepan off the heat with smooth chocolate fudge mixture being folded together with chopped pecans using a spatula.

3. Pour the Chocolate Layer

Pour the chocolate mixture into an 8×8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Spread it out evenly with a spatula. Let it cool for about 5 minutes.

An 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper, filled with chocolate fudge mixed with pecans being spread evenly with a spatula.

4. Add the Caramel Layer

Pour the caramel sauce over the cooled chocolate layer and spread it evenly. Sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top if desired.

An 8x8 pan of chocolate fudge topped with a smooth layer of caramel sauce and sprinkled with chopped pecans.

5. Chill the Fudge

Place the pan in the refrigerator and let the fudge set for at least 2-3 hours, or until completely firm.

An 8x8 pan of turtle fudge resting in a modern stainless steel fridge, with layers of chocolate fudge and caramel visible.

6. Cut and Serve

Once the fudge is firm, lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper. Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired, then cut into squares with a sharp knife and serve!

A batch of turtle fudge on parchment paper being cut into neat square pieces with a knife. The fudge has layers of chocolate, caramel, and pecans, with a chocolate drizzle on top

Leftovers and Storage

Store fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze the fudge for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

Conclusion

Turtle Fudge is everything you want in a dessert—rich, gooey, crunchy, and totally irresistible! It’s the perfect treat for any occasion, and it’s so easy to make. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out in the comments. Did you add any fun twists? Enjoy every bite! 🍫✨