Fried Turkey Leg Caramel Pears

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Looking for a dessert that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat? These Fried Turkey Leg Caramel Pears are the ultimate holiday showstopper! Made with juicy pears wrapped in chewy caramel, dipped in a coating of caramel-flavored melting wafers and crunchy crushed rice krispies cereal, then served on a cake skewer topped with a Halloween arm bone, these playful treats are perfect for both Halloween parties and Thanksgiving celebrations.

They look just like turkey legs, but one bite will reveal the sweet surprise inside—fresh caramel-dipped pears with the perfect crunch.

If you want a holiday dessert that looks impressive but doesn’t require candy-making skills, these Turkey Leg Caramel Pears are the perfect choice! They’re made with juicy pears wrapped in chewy caramel, dipped in caramel-flavored melting wafers mixed with crushed Rice Krispies cereal, and finished on a cake skewer topped with a Halloween arm bone. The best part? No candy thermometer, no hot sugar mess, and no complicated steps—just easy-to-follow instructions using store-bought items.

Whether you’re looking for a spooky Halloween treat or a playful Thanksgiving dessert, these turkey legs will steal the spotlight on your holiday table. They remind me of a Flinstones dinner.🤭

***IMPORTANT MESSAGE BEFORE STARTING***

If you live in an area with high humidity or you are planning on making these during the year when your humidity is high, READ THIS FIRST.

High humidity in the air causes caramel to become softer, stickier, and potentially melt by allowing the sugar to absorb moisture from the environment. This moisture absorption affects the sugar’s ability to crystallize and maintain its firm texture, leading to a less desirable, gooey consistency or a layer of scum on the surface. To prevent this, keep caramel in an airtight container, or store it in a cool, dry environment with low relative humidity (ideally below 50%). Place coated pears in cellophane treat bags, twist closed with a twist tie, and place them in an airtight container.

How to Make Turkey Leg Caramel Pears

THE BONES

Mark the center of the bones with a pencil, and cut along the mark. I used a cut-off saw. Remove any accumulated plastic dust from the bone, then wash and dry it. WHERE CAN I GET THE BONES? I found them at Five & Below in the Halloween section of the store. WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF BONES? A great substitute for the plastic bones are popsicle sticks with hearts on top. THESE ARE THE ONES I RECOMMEND → HEART SHAPE POPSICLE STICKS. Make sure the heart is facing outward towards the guest. Use white with a little brown gel food coloring diluted with water, and paint the sticks.

HOW TO DETERMINE HOW TO CUT OFF THE SKEWER: Place the cut bone on the skewer while it’s in the pear. Measure from the bottom of the bone (the cut portion) to the top of the pear. Remove the bone, take that measurement, and, using a pencil, mark the cut line from the top of the skewer. Printable version below in recipe card.

SUBSTITUTION FOR THE BONES

HEART POPSICLE STICKS: IF YOU INSERT THE STICKS SO THE HEART FACES OUT, IT WILL GIVE THE ILLUSION OF A BONE.
HOW TO COLOR THE HEART POPSICLE STICKS: For a food-safe option, use watered-down food coloring and a clean brush. These are the ones I recommend (not an affiliate link)→ HEART SHAPED CRAFT STICK

THE PEARS

DO NOT choose large juicy pears. I chose green Bartlett and regretted it.
Snap off the pear stems and push the cake skewer into the top of the pear as far as you can without puncturing the bottom.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PEAR: Bosc or Anjou pears that are slightly underripe. These varieties are less juicy and have a firmer, denser flesh than other pears. TIP: I conducted a test on both varieties; the result is that the neck of the Bosc is too narrow for the skewer and tends to pop open. I recommend using the Anjou Pear. It worked perfectly. Printable version below in recipe card.

Wash and dry each pear.
Cut off the pear stems and push the skewer into the top of the pear as far as you can without puncturing the bottom.
Lay two caramel rounds on top of each other on a piece of parchment paper. Press the two pieces together.
Stretch the round until it reaches at least 7 inches in diameter.
Place the bottom of the pear in the center of the wrapple, bring the caramel up to the top of the pear past the bottom of the bone and up the bone about ½ inch. Press the caramel onto the pear. Don’t worry if it’s lumpy-looking; the krispy caramel coating will camouflage the imperfections.

THE CARAMEL

For a quick and easy solution to caramel apples, I like using Wrapples. I found mine at Walmart in the produce department. The only downside to using them is that they are seasonal. There’s also an upside to them; they are usable for the following year as well. So stock up now for this season and the next! Are you having trouble finding them in your area? HERE’S A SOLUTION: MAKE YOUR OWN! Don’t worry, you’ll still be using store-bought caramel. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS→ HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL WRAPS– Printable version below in recipe card.

You’ll need TWO wraps per pear.
Press the wraps together and stretch until the circle is 7 inches in diameter.
Place the pear in the center of the circle, pull the sides up to the top of the pear and onto the bone.
Press the caramel onto the body of the pear.
Each wrap has pieces of wax-coated paper. Place the caramel-coated pear on a piece of paper until you are ready to dip it into the melted candy.

SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCHIE CANDY COATING AND OPTIONAL PETAL DUST

To protect the caramel, a candy coating was added. For texture, smashed Rice Krispy cereal was stirred into the melted candy. Printable version below in recipe card.

Into a medium-sized, microwave-safe, large-mouth bowl, add the melting candy wafers, shortening, and crushed cereal.
Heat for 30 seconds, stir to combine the candy, shortening, and cereal.
Continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Stir until the candy is melted and all ingredients are combined.
The candy will be thick but melted. Place the caramel-coated pear in the bowl, and spoon the melted candy mixture over the pear, making sure every part of the caramel is covered. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to harden.
OPTIONAL STEP: For dimension, stipple some of the brown petal dust over the hardened candy. I used the color cocoa→ BROWN MATTE POWDER (not an affiliate link)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beginner-Friendly – No need to boil sugar or worry about caramel burning.
No Special Tools Needed – Forget the candy thermometer—everything is made with ready-to-use items.
Festive for Multiple Holidays – Serve them at a Halloween party or add them to your Thanksgiving dessert spread.
Fun for Kids – A treat that doubles as a craft project the whole family can enjoy.

Tip & Tricks for Perfect Turkey Leg Caramel Pears

Choose Firm Drier Pears – the juice from soft, juicy pears will break down the sugar in the caramel, causing it to melt.
Use Microwave Melts – Caramel wafers melt smoothly without the need for tempering or stovetop cooking.
Crush Cereal in a Bag – Use a rolling pin to quickly crush rice cereal with no mess.
Make-Ahead Friendly – You can prepare these ahead of time and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Can Caramel Pears Be Made In Advance?

Yes and no… look below for solutions to using a juicy pear (like the Bartlett pear I used) and choosing a less juicy one. Pears have a lot more juice in them than apples. Because of the skewer, the juice from the pear eventually seeps out, causing the caramel to melt and the candy to crack. Follow the hacks below to get around those problems.

Gently remove the sticker, ensuring no skin is damaged.
Choose a pear that is less juicy than the Barlette Pears. DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE I DID. The Bosc Pear will remain firm as it ripens and is typically considered less juicy; however, due to its narrow top, a large skewer may break the neck. I recommend using Anjou Pears.
Place the coated pears in cellophane treat bags, twist them closed with a twist tie, and store them in an airtight container.

What is “Chocolate Seizing”?

Chocolate is an emulsion of fat (cocoa butter) with cocoa solids and sugar suspended in it. When a small amount of water is introduced, it dissolves the sugar crystals and causes the cocoa solids to clump together. This breaks the emulsion and transforms the smooth liquid chocolate into a thick, grainy paste known as “seized” chocolate.

This is why it’s crucial to use the techniques above, which are specifically designed to keep the water-based pear juice and the melted chocolate completely separate.

When to Serve Turkey Leg Caramel Pears

Halloween dessert tables – A creative alternative to caramel apples.
Thanksgiving gatherings – A playful and unexpected treat to wow guests.
Classroom parties – Kid-friendly, fun, and mess-free to prepare.
Fall festivals – Unique enough to stand out but simple enough to make in bulk.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – TURKEY LEG CARAMEL PEARS

What are Turkey Leg Caramel Pears?

Turkey Leg Caramel Pears are juicy pears wrapped in soft caramel, dipped in a mixture of caramel-flavored melting wafers and crushed Rice Krispies cereal, and served on a skewer with a Halloween arm bone. They’re a fun and festive treat for Halloween or a playful addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.

Can I make these without a candy thermometer?

Yes! One of the best things about this recipe is that it utilizes store-bought caramel wraps and melting wafers, eliminating the need for a candy thermometer or boiling sugar. It’s an easy, beginner-friendly dessert.

What type of pears work best for this recipe?

Firm fruits, such as Bosc or Anjou, work best because they retain their shape on the skewer and don’t become mushy under the caramel and cereal coating.

Can I substitute the caramel-flavored melting wafers?

Yes! You can use white chocolate or milk chocolate melting wafers for a different flavor. Simply melt them in the microwave and mix with crushed rice cereal for a similar crunchy coating.

Are these safe for kids to make?

Yes. Since there’s no boiling sugar or hot candy mess, kids can safely help assemble these treats under supervision, making them a fun activity for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

How should I display Turkey Leg Caramel Pears?

Place them on a platter lined with parchment paper and slide a Halloween arm bone over the skewer for a fun turkey leg effect. They make a perfect centerpiece for holiday dessert tables or party displays.

Can these be served at Thanksgiving as well?

Definitely! They’re a playful twist on traditional caramel apples, perfect for a fun Thanksgiving dessert or a fall-themed treat.

MORE FALL-INSPIRED TREATS

LATEST POSTS

These Turkey Leg Caramel Pears are the perfect combination of easy and festive. With no candy thermometer, no boiling sugar, and no tricky techniques, you can create a dessert that’s both eye-catching and delicious—all with simple store-bought ingredients.

Whether you’re serving them at Halloween or Thanksgiving, this recipe is proof that you don’t need complicated steps to make something truly special.

Follow these tips and tricks to whip up your own batch of Turkey Leg Caramel Pears and impress your guests with a creative holiday treat that’s as fun as it is tasty.❤️Sheryl

Turkey Leg Caramel Pear

Yield: Makes Five Caramel Pears

Ingredients

5 large pears (I recommend Anjou Pears) DO NOT USE BARTLETT PEARS THEY ARE TOO JUICY
1 (6.5 ounce) packages of Wrapples fresh caramel apple wraps (2 wraps per pear)
1 ½ (12 ounce) bags of salted caramel melting wafers
1 ½ cups rice krispy cereal
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable shortening
optional brown pedal dust or cocoa powder
5 cake skewers (11.81 inches long) found at Hobby Lobby
3 plastic arm bones - found at 5 and below, cut in half

Instructions

Cut the arm bones in half and wash.
Wash and dry each pear.
Cut off the pear stems and push the skewer into the top of the pear as far as you can without puncturing the bottom.
Place half of the bone over the skewer. If the bone doesn't reach down to the top of the pear, remove the bone and cut off some of the top of the skewer until the bone is positioned over the skewer and it touches the pear.
HOW TO DETERMINE HOW TO CUT OFF THE SKEWER: Place the cut bone on the skewer while it's in the pear. Measure from the bottom of the bone (the cut portion) to the top of the pear. Remove the bone, take that measurement, and, using a pencil, mark the cut line from the top of the skewer.
Lay two caramel rounds on top of each other on a piece of parchment paper. Press the two pieces together.
Stretch the round until it reaches at least 7 inches in diameter.
Place the bottom of the pear in the center of the wrapple, bring the caramel up to the top of the pear past the bottom of the bone and up the bone about ½ inch. Press the caramel onto the pear. Don't worry if it's lumpy-looking; the krispy caramel coating will camouflage the imperfections.
Pour the cereal into a zip-top bag, close it, and smash with a rolling pin or mallet.
Pour the wafers into a medium-sized, wide-mouth microwave-safe bowl, along with the cereal and shortening. Heat for 30 seconds, stir all the ingredients together. Heat for an additional 30 seconds, stir until the candy is melted and combined with the cereal.
The candy will be thick but melted. Place the caramel-coated pear in the bowl, and spoon the melted candy mixture over the pear, making sure every part of the caramel is covered. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to harden.
OPTIONAL STEP: For dimension, stipple some of the brown petal dust over the hardened candy.

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Fried Turkey Leg Caramel Pears