Easy Mardi Gras Pretzel Turtles (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Turtles

01 - 50 pecan halves
02 - 50 Snyder's Snap Pretzels
03 - 50 Dove Milk Chocolate Caramels

→ For the Mardi Gras Decoration

04 - 2 oz green candy melts
05 - 2 oz purple candy melts
06 - 2 oz yellow candy melts

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the pecan halves in a single layer on a quarter sheet pan, then toast them in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
02 - Place the Snyder's Snap Pretzels in a single layer on a parchment-lined quarter sheet pan. Make sure the pretzels are touching. This arrangement is important for later when you pipe the candy melts on top.
03 - Unwrap the Dove Milk Chocolate Caramels and place one on top of each pretzel. Place the pan in the 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure the chocolate doesn't melt too much.
04 - Remove the pan from the oven and immediately press one toasted pecan half onto the top of each chocolate. Press firmly enough that all three components stick together, but not so hard that the caramel bursts out or the pretzel breaks.
05 - Place each color of candy melts in separate piping bags. Stand the bags upright in a microwave-proof container and melt them in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until fully melted, about 3 minutes per color. Squeeze the bags after each interval to help break down the melts, as they retain their shape even when melted.
06 - Snip the tip off the green piping bag. Starting in one corner of the pan, pipe in one continuous vertical movement up and down the rows until every pretzel turtle has some green on it.
07 - Snip the tip off the purple piping bag. Starting at the opposite end of the same row as the green, pipe in one continuous horizontal movement back and forth across the rows until every pretzel turtle has some purple on it.
08 - Snip the tip off the yellow piping bag. Starting in the same corner as the green, pipe in one continuous diagonal movement in a zig-zag pattern across the pan until every pretzel turtle has some yellow on it.
09 - For more decoration, make a second pass with each color, starting at different positions to create a crosshatch pattern. If the candy melts harden while piping, reheat the bag for 30 seconds at 50% power.
10 - Allow the chocolate and candy melts to harden completely, then carefully break the pieces apart. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

# Notes:

01 - These festive treats combine the classic sweet-salty combination of pretzels, chocolate, and pecans with colorful Mardi Gras-themed decoration in the traditional purple, green, and yellow colors.
02 - The key to successful candy melt decoration is proper melting - they will retain their shape even when melted, so squeeze the bag periodically during melting to check consistency.
03 - These pretzel turtles make perfect party favors for Mardi Gras celebrations or any festive occasion where you want a quick, impressive treat.

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