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I originally made these clean eating healthy turtles to bring to a friends party and they were definitely a hit!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
Love the idea of healthy and delicious sweet treats. I will try these dark chocolate turtles
Enjoy Azu!
Hi there – these look amazing! What can’t dates do? Just wondering if you roasted your pecans first?
I didn’t, but that is a MAGICAL idea! 🙂
Does the chocolate need to be tempered?
You could definitely do this to make it less “melty” but it’s not crucial!
Christal,
I made these treats for the holiday season and they were a hit everywhere. Liesel Livewire introduced me to your site and now I am a regular fan. Also, your fan base is growing as everyone wants the recipe for the Turtles. I simply give them your blog link and they can explore the many great options you provide for healthy eating.
Best wishes on your growing success and I look forward to learning more about eating better.
Heidi
Hi Heidi! Thank you so much for sharing the blog, so glad you enjoyed the turtles, they are one of my faves! 🙂
I made these into owls for my daughter’s birthday today…after covering in chocolate I added dried apricot cut out eyes and slivered almonds for wings…turned out cute. PS…my daughter’s 29, lol.
Oh my gosh, so cute! LOL – I’m 27 and I would LOVE that for my b-day! 🙂 Lol!
These look so simple and delicious! I’ve replaced almost all of my “cookies” with a date/nut mixture and everyone loves it! Even my italian boyfriend 😉
Lol awesome!! 🙂 Yes, these are still one of my favorite treats!!
Hi there, after making these using 1/2 cup of pitted dates, I realized that I think it is supposed to be 1 cup 🙂 Your calorie count aligns with that as well. Just thought I’d mention it for future readers making these. Thanks so much for the recipe though, they’re delicious!
Thanks heather! I’ll make sure to edit that!
These were awesome, and oh so easy!! 5 0stars all the way.
Thanks Rachel!! 🙂
I’ll be back in my hometown visiting my parents soon, and they aren’t exactly the cleanest eaters. Can’t wait to share an unrefined recipe with them that they actually may love!
That’s wonderful Claire! Thanks for sharing, I hope they like them!!
Ohhhh I love you so much! I’m 8+ months pregnant and have gestational diabetes and it is getting so hard to avoid carbs. But oh. my. goodness. I just made these (super easy!), and they’re perfect. My fetus and I thank you!
Awww so good to hear that Laura!! Glad you ‘both’ enjoy! 🙂