Turtle Coffee Recipe Roundup

When I was little, turtle sundaes were my mom’s favorite. She also always drank her coffee black. Missed. Opportunity. Let’s not have you fall into the same dismal abyss. Let’s turtle some coffee.

What is turtle flavor?

The classic turtle flavor is a simple combination of pecan, caramel, and chocolate. In confections, a “turtle” is pecan pieces, held together by cooled caramel, all dipped in chocolate. The chocolate domes in the middle, but some pecan pieces stick out around the edges, slightly resembling turtles.

You can see how this would pair with coffee …

Some turtle-flavored treats and syrups leave out the pecans, so chocolate + caramel is also frequently considered “turtle” … but it isn’t (really).

How to make turtle coffee

You can make turtle coffee with your favorite combo of chocolate, caramel, and pecan flavors. Start with 1 teaspoon of each, per cup of coffee, and adjust to your liking.

The difficulty is pecan. You can purchase pecan flavor extract, but it might not be readily available at your local grocery store. Pecans definitely have a distinct flavor, but if you’re eager to give it a try, you can substitute another nut flavoring instead of pecan. Almond extract is a more accessible alternative.

Turtle coffee recipes

Whether you don’t trust your own culinary prowess or you just don’t have time for experimenting, there are lots of recipes you can start with too.

What about the turtle iced coffee at Dunkin’?

The Iced Turtle Signature Latte at Dunkin’ is equal parts butter pecan syrup and mocha syrup over ice and cold brew.