Try these delicious vegan Healthy Dark Chocolate Turtles that are dairy free, gluten free, and made in a snap with just 3 main ingredients!
Healthy Dark Chocolate Turtles for the win!
I’m not referring to the cute little reptiles that most people love because they are just so darn cute and have little old man faces. What I’m talking about is the good old gimme-some-of-those “Mmm..I love Turtles” (cue commercial song) turtles.
Unfortunately, the ingredients in these famed Turtles are not the greatest in quality. They are made with a whole lot of refined sugars, modified ingredients, and artificial flavours. To have them once in a while, not a huge deal, but I like to enjoy Turtles NOW all the way up until the New Year! I mean, I’ve got to stretch out this season and all of it’s delicious delights as much as possible.
So of course my solution was to make my own healthier version of Turtles that are just as delicious, enjoyable, and easy to pop-in-yo-mouth!
Hello revamped and much healthier ingredients list: Pitted dates, raw pecans, and wonderfully rich and decadent 70% dark chocolate.
The dates work perfectly as a caramel stand-in with their sweet, sticky, and rich taste and texture, and the dark chocolate brings in antioxidant and a decadent flavour, then the pecans add in a nice dose of healthy omega-rich fats, magnesium, and manganese.
I originally made these clean eating healthy turtles to bring to a friends party and they were definitely a hit! Everyone loved them and really couldn’t believe how much these tasty little morsels really tasted like the original.
Another bonus is that you do not have to be a whiz in the kitchen to whip these up. With only three ingredients and an incredibly easy method, this recipe fits for the most novice of cooks in the kitchen. I actually think this would make a great treat to make with the kiddies and get them involved in making healthier treats to enjoy around the holidays.
What’s not to love?? Go make some “Turtles”! Then, pack a couple in your lunch this week, and have them as a little afternoon treat when you get that urge to go to the vending machine…you’ll be much happier (and your body will thank you) that you enoyed one or two of these instead!
Healthy Dark Chocolate Turtles Recipe
Healthy homemade dark chocolate turtles made vegan, dairy free, gluten free, and with only 3 simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 oz 70% dark chocolate
- 1 heaping cup pitted dates
- 2 oz pecan halves (about 40-45 small halves)
Instructions
- Process dates in a until they become a sticky and very thick jam-like consistency.
- Roll the processed dates into 15 marble-sized balls using the palms of your hands (if your hands are slightly wet from washing the dates will not stick to your hands when rolling), place the balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Press 2-3 pecan halves into the date balls and then place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.
- Heat a small saucepan over very low heat and add in the dark chocolate, stir continuously until melted into a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat.
- Using a spoon, pour a small amount of chocolate sauce over each date/pecan mound. Repeat until each one is covered with the chocolate. The chocolate sauce will harden quickly becoming a shell over the date/pecan mounds.
- Place in turtles in the freezer to set for at least 10 more minutes.
- Keep turtles cold (in the fridge is fine) until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
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More Vegan Treats You’ll Love:
- 12 Super Easy Plant Based Desserts
- Easy Homemade Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
- Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Have a lovely weekend!
Christal // NITK
Such a simple and delicious idea. I will use walnuts , I love them!
Thanks Fatima! Enjoy! 🙂
Made these tonight and they are marvelous! Happiness in my mouth. So nice to use such good quality ingredients to make a delish treat. Thanks so much Crystal.
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed them! 🙂 Thank you for the feedback!
Hmm beautiful cookies, they really look amazing and mouthwatering. Healthy candy rules the world!
Thanks Veggie! 🙂
I LOVE turtles and haven’t been able to eat them in a very long time because of allergies. This recipe makes me smile from ear to ear because now I can eat turtles again! These look better than the store bought ones, so excited to make them!
I’m so happy to hear that Erin! Enjoy! Have a few too!
These look amazing! And so easy.
Thanks Kathy! They are such a breeze to put together!
Wow, I am making these tomorrow! I have a jar of date paste (learned the trick from the Healthy Foodie blog), and I was primarily using it to make chocolate mousse (from Vegan Magic). But now I have one more super simple recipe to try – yey! I love turtles and these must be amazing! Thank you so much for this brilliant idea!
p.s. I think this is the first time I see your blog – it’s beautiful! I will be back for more recipes 🙂
Thanks Cooking Rookie! I will have to head over to Vegan Magic to see this chocolate mousse you speak of! I visit Healthy Foodie all the time! 🙂 Enjoy the turtles, see you again soon! 🙂
Can’t wait to make these!
They are deeeeelicious!
These look so good, and so easy! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
Thanks Rachel! 🙂
I might have to make these with walnuts because that’s all I’ve got… or run to the store for pecans! So delicious looking.
Hey Amelia! They would still be delicious with walnuts I’m sure! Even almonds, cashews, or peanuts would work too! 🙂
I love the idea of these healthy candies. Thanks! Can’t wait to sink my teeth into one.
Thanks Vespa!