Some recipes just hit that perfect spot between simple and delicious, and this one is no exception. The Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe delivers gooey, chocolatey, nutty goodness — all without heating up your kitchen or standing over the stove. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a go-to for every holiday or casual get-together.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has that magic combination of being incredibly easy and turning out absolutely delicious, which keeps me coming back for more. Whether you’re making a batch for a party or a little sweet treat for yourself, it’s foolproof.
- Simple prep: Just dump the ingredients in your crockpot and let it do the work—minimal stirring required.
- Delicious texture: Crunchy pecans paired with gooey, melty Rolo candies create an irresistible treat.
- Flexible ingredients: Easily customize with your favorite nuts, chocolate types, or even add sprinkles for festive fun.
- Perfect for gifts: Homemade candy that looks and tastes impressive, yet is so easy to whip up.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays an important role in this Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe. The nuts bring crunch, the chocolates blend smooth richness, and those small salted touches keep it balanced. Shopping for good quality pecans and chocolate will seriously pay off here!
- Pecan halves: Their natural buttery crunch contrasts beautifully with melted chocolate and candies.
- Chocolate almond bark: Melts easily and helps to create a smooth, creamy candy coating.
- Bittersweet chocolate: Adds richness and depth without too much sweetness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Classic chocolate flavor and perfect melting texture.
- Salt: Enhances all those sweet flavors and balances the chocolate's richness.
- Rolo candies: The caramel center wrapped in chocolate is the star addition that makes these candies extra special.
- Sea salt (optional): A sprinkle on top gives a gourmet touch and lifts the flavors.
- Sprinkles (optional): Great for seasonal flair or just a pop of color.
Make It Your Way
I like to mix things up depending on the season or occasion—this recipe is fantastic for experimenting. Feel free to swap pecans with other nuts or even cereals if you want to change up the texture. Adding festive sprinkles is also one of my favorite quick tricks to dress them up.
- Variation: Once, I switched out pecans for chopped mixed nuts and threw in a handful of dried cranberries. It added a lovely tart contrast and gave the candy a Christmas vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe
Step 1: Layer and Cook Your Ingredients
Start by placing your pecans, chocolate almond bark cubes, bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chips, and salt into a 4 or 6-quart crockpot. Don’t stir yet—that comes later. Just layer them in, then cover and cook on low for one hour. This slow melt method prevents burning and ensures everything softens evenly.
Step 2: Stir and Continue Melting
After the first hour, give everything a good stir to combine all that melted goodness. Keep cooking on low for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. By the end, the chocolate should be silky smooth, and the pecans fully coated. Turn off your slow cooker and get ready for the fun part!
Step 3: Prep Your Rolos and Candy Mounds
Set two long strips of wax paper on a flat surface. Arrange your unwrapped Rolo candies about three inches apart on the paper. Then, use a tablespoon to scoop up the chocolate-coated pecan mixture and drop mounds over each Rolo. If you like, sprinkle sea salt or colorful sprinkles on top for that extra touch.
Step 4: Let Them Set and Enjoy!
Allow everything to cool completely and firm up before handling or packaging. Depending on your room temperature, this might take a couple of hours. Then, dig in or gift your homemade candies with pride!
Top Tip
After making this candy a few times, I learned some key tricks to get perfect results without stress. Here’s what helped me avoid common pitfalls and elevate my batches:
- Low and slow melting: Cooking on low prevents scorching the chocolate almond bark or chips, which can ruin the whole batch.
- Don’t stir too early: Waiting the initial hour before stirring lets the chocolate soften evenly instead of clumping.
- Use wax paper: It keeps candy from sticking and makes clean-up a breeze—plus it’s easier to pop the candies off after setting.
- Salt balances sweetness: That tiny sprinkle of sea salt makes a huge difference, cutting through richness and bringing out layers of flavor.
How to Serve Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and sometimes add colorful holiday sprinkles if I want a little festive jazz. For birthday parties, rainbow nonpareils or edible glitter can make these candies shine.
Side Dishes
This candy pairs beautifully with a simple cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside a cheese board—odd combination, but the sweet and salty contrast is surprisingly delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, I like wrapping a few candies in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon, or arranging them in festive tins with parchment paper. At holiday parties, I sometimes place them on a tiered cake stand mixed with other homemade treats for a colorful dessert display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your candies in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. They last wonderfully for 2 to 3 weeks this way, which is plenty of time to enjoy or share them.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftovers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a sealed freezer bag. They stay great up to 6 months. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving to keep their texture intact.
Reheating
If you want to soften hardened candy a bit, a few seconds in the microwave on low power works, but be careful—not all chocolates reheat smoothly. Usually, these are best enjoyed at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even mixed nuts work well—adjust cooking time slightly if your nuts are chopped small, as they melt faster into the chocolate.
You can substitute with white chocolate and add a tablespoon of shortening to help it melt smoothly, just like the recipe suggests. This keeps your candy creamy without compromising texture.
Hot rooms can make the candy soft or sticky. Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate if needed. Let candies come to room temp before serving for best flavor and texture.
Swapping chocolates for vegan alternatives and using vegan caramels or skipping Rolos can make it vegan-friendly, but the flavor will differ slightly. Experiment with your favorite vegan chocolates for best results.
Final Thoughts
I always get asked for this Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe whenever I bring a batch to gatherings, and it’s no wonder. It’s nostalgic, rich, and makes the kitchen smell amazing with hardly any effort. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite homemade sweets to share with friends and family. Give it a try—I’m confident it’ll become a favorite in your household, too.
Print
Easy Crockpot Pecan Rolo Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 75 candies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Turtle Crockpot Candy is a delightful treat combining pecans, various chocolates, and Rolo candies, all melted together in a slow cooker for an easy, festive sweet that sets perfectly with optional sprinkles and sea salt for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 32 ounces pecan halves
- 32 ounces chocolate almond bark, cubed
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 75 Rolo candies
- Sea salt, optional
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot: Add pecans, almond bark, bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and salt to a 4 or 6-quart crockpot without stirring. Cook on low heat for 1 hour.
- Stir and continue cooking: After 1 hour, stir the ingredients thoroughly and continue cooking on low for an additional 45 minutes. Stir again to ensure the chocolate mixture is fully melted, then turn off the slow cooker.
- Prepare the setting surface: Lay two long strips of wax paper on a clean, level surface. Place the unwrapped Rolo candies about 3 inches apart on the wax paper.
- Assemble candies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out mounds of the melted chocolate-coated pecans and carefully distribute them over the top of each Rolo candy on the wax paper.
- Add finishing touches: Sprinkle with sea salt and sprinkles if desired to enhance flavor and appearance. Allow the candies to fully set at room temperature or in the refrigerator before enjoying or packaging.
Notes
- If almond bark is unavailable, substitute with white chocolate plus 1 tablespoon of shortening for texture.
- Store the candy in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.
- For festive variations, add colored sprinkles suitable for holidays like Halloween or Christmas.
- Milk chocolate chips can replace semi-sweet chips for a sweeter blend.
- You can substitute pecans with other nuts or avoid nuts entirely by using cereals like Chex or Rice Krispies.
- Adding a cup of craisins to the mix gives additional flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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