Rolo Pretzel Turtle Candies or Rudolph Noses

Rolo Pretzel Turtles are salty pretzels layered with a sweet caramel chocolate Rolo candy and topped with a toasted pecan halve or red m&m candies to make Rudolph Noses. 
I don't recall where I got this recipe but I have been making them for years. Some of you might already know what I'm talking about when I say the word Rolo Pretzel Turtles, but if you're not familiar with them then I have a treat for you.

These are the perfect candy to satisfy your sweet and salty craving. Once you try one you'll be hooked just like I was the first time I had one. They are knock down easy peasy to make and a fun recipe to get the kids involved in the kitchen. My kiddos help me unwrap all of the Rolo's, count out the pretzels and place them on the baking sheet.

They can also help match up Rolo's to pretzels. I would let mom add the pecans at the end since the candies are warm out of the oven. But more or less the kids can do most of work and have fun all at the same time.

Each turtle candy contains one pretzel, one Rolo and one pecan. If you don't like pecans that's OK, just use holiday themed m&m's in place of the pecans or mix and match like I did for a pretty festive look. Some people use all red m&ms and call them Rudolph noses. You can use regular small pretzels or waffle pretzels like I used its all up to you.

Once the candies have set add to clear treat sacks or place in a holiday tin with tissue paper. You will have a nice homemade gift that's next to nothing to make. I warn you once you get a bite of these little turtles you will be addicted. Who doesn't love chocolate, caramel and nuts the perfect combination.

Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and place pretzels individually to form one layer only. 

Unwrap all the rolo candies. This is perfect for the kiddos to help out with.

Place one Rolo Candy on top of each pretzel. Place the baking tray in a 250 degrees oven for 4 minutes or until the candies softened. You just want the candy warm not melted.

If using pecans toast them. I did this in the microwave see my note at the end of this post.

Immediately remove the chocolate covered pretzels from the oven they will look shiny and soft. Quickly place a pecan half on top of a candy

push down to squish the chocolate into the pretzel and flatten it out. If you don't like pecans you can use toasted almonds or m&m candies in holiday colors. Cool for 20 minutes, then place uncovered in refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set.

When the candy is set transfer to a serving plate or add to individual clear gift sacks. I did a few with m&m's so you could see what they looked like. These little turtle candies look so cute in clear individual gift sacks. Teachers love getting this festive sweet and salty treat, so keep this recipe in mind for teacher gifts.



39 comments

Kristy said…
Congratulations ladies!!! :)
Andrea said…
These little treats are totally addicting, I make them every year and people just gobble them up!

Another cute and similar idea is take a pretzel (regular shaped small ones), top with a Hershey Kiss, put in oven just like this recipe, when they come out, top with red or green M&M, we call those Reindeer Noses! That's what they look like :-) Kids love them!

Love your blog and am always happy to see a new post from you Tina!
MisinTx said…
I can't wait to make these, I am also going to try Andrea suggestion. Thanks
Margie
Anonymous said…
what a coincidence!! I was at sam's and bought a case of rolos and was making these probably as you were typing! love 'em

anne
Tina Butler said…
Andrea that is a great idea. I am going to get some kisses and try that next my kids would love those. I had to toss the turtles in the freezer because I have no self control LOL.
Lucky Me said…
I tend to shy away form getting the kids involved as much as I should because they make such a mess but these are perfect for little helpers. Thanks for helping me get the kids more involved in the Christmas goodie making! I'm off to the store...
I wish I could pick one of those out of the screen. Yum!
Heidi said…
I make these with the pecans. They are great and so easy! I think the kids would like them better with the candy on top.
Ann and Billy said…
I didn't know you could toast pecans in the microware. I can't wait to try it. I usually toast mine in the toaster oven and sometimes burn them. Pecans cost too much to be burning them.
Amanda said…
I've made these before too, they are tasty!!
Stephanie said…
These look absolutely delicious AND fun!! Thanks for sharing, the pics are wonderful!
Lara said…
These treats look totally amazing and I can guarantee my kids would have a blast making them. Thanks for sharing!
Marie said…
I make these every year too and if I don't bring them to family Christmas parties, they don't let me in. LOL!

Congrats to the winners!
Just put chocolate on it and I can eat it...LOL
Mama T said…
Just want to say thank you!
I made some of these Rolo Turtles this afternoon & they came out great. I'll be including these in my annual Xmas treat boxes.
Tina Butler said…
Thank you Maria, arent they so simplea nd easy. They will be perfect for gift boxes.
Cindy said…
My broter in law asks around thanksgiving if I will make him these and the chocolate covered pretzels
Lucky Me said…
They turned out great!!! Everyone loved them. Thanks!!!
Valerie said…
I made those Rolo Turtles andmy kids ate them all in about an hour! Could not believe how fast they were gone.

Absolutely a great little recipe.
Thanks for sharing them!
Shonda said…
YUM!! We had a cookie/candy exchange yesterday - and these were a HIT!! Thanks for the great idea.....
Anonymous said…
I made these for the first time today and they are wonderful! However, the candy has still not firmed up and it has been several hours. It gets on your fingers.
I have eaten these before at gatherings and they were much firmer. Any suggestions?Thanks
Pat
Tina Butler said…
I dont know what would of happened except maybe you left them in the oven to long. They should only stay in the oven for 4 minutes, then removed. It is just to soften them very slightly to push the pecan of m&m down on it. They usually harden after a hour or so. You can pop them in the freezer. If they are melted all over I dont know what happened.
christinew said…
I've had them with white chocolate drizzled over top! very yummy & makes them look a little fancier!
you can also use the roll of rolo's.. that way you don't have to unwrap each one- sometimes if they are on sale it is actually cheaper than buying the bag!
susitravl said…
I have made these with pretzel twists, candy kisses and red & green M & M's. Great for my DS who is allergic to nuts.

The kids always liked lining up the pretzels, unwrapping the candy and I snuck some math in there too - count how many across the baking sheet, and how many down equals what?
Anonymous said…
I made the pretzel rollo turtles this afternoon to bring to the BSF social this evening. I topped some with pecan halves and some with walnut halves. They indeed are yummy!

Recipes call for different oven temperatures. I set my oven for 200 degrees and took the cookie sheet out of the oven after 3 minutes. The rollos were soft enough to place the nut on top and squish down.

Grandma Betsy
Anonymous said…
we can't seem to get the pecans to stick to the top after we smush them down; any ideas?
Tina Butler said…
I don't know why the pecans wont stick. Once you place them in the oven they get really soft and you just have to press the pecan down on top and it mushes in the chocolate. Once the set up they do not fall out because they were squished down on top.
bestie said…
so excited to have found you via elleinad spir...going to make this recipe with the kids today!! yeah!
Shannon S. in VA said…
I made these last X-mas and they were a huge hit. I want to make them again but would like to start making my goodies now and wondered if they freeze well and still taste great to take out when needed? Thanks for the feedback!
Tina Butler said…
Shannon they freeze very well. I have to freeze them every year of my family will inhale all of them at once sitting.

When the turtle candies are setting up on the baking tray just pop the whole thing in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Then remove the candies and add to a large ziplick freezer bag. By doing this they won't stick together.

Just remove and let thaw. They taste just as good as the day you made them.
Melissa said…
I made these last night and took them to a church gathering. Made 2 batches in fact. I had maybe 10 left :) Thanks!!!
transoumom said…
You can also do these in the microwave, and not use your oven at all! In my microwave it takes about 30-40 seconds.
Anonymous said…
I made these to where you put them in the microwave for 30 seconds instead of the oven... They are DELICIOUS and so easy!! I use two pretzels instead of pecans but I bet the pecans are delicious!! Thanks for the recipe!
Lindsay said…
Tina, these are insanely delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe! Everyone who tried them loved them, too!
Sharon said…
These are incredible! Thank you for sharing!
I had these last year and loved them. I am making them in a couples days and can't wait.
Anonymous said…
These treats are so delightful I told my son's per - k teacher when the Kids return to school I will make a batch for the class.





Anonymous said…
I NEED IDEAS ON HOW TO PACKAGE THESE TURTLE TREATS. I AM GIVING THEM TO MY GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTS AS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT. ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO PACKAGE OR WRAP THESE TURTLES THAT WON’T CREATE A MESS OR LOOK CHEAP?
poohbaby030603@yahoo.com