Pecan Caramel Clusters – My Baking Habit

Pecan caramel clusters come along with only a handful of components for a simple sweet that’s candy, a bit salty, and completely excellent for reward giving.

Having a candy-loving husband and youngsters signifies that Mama’s sweet stash isn’t actually Mama’s sweet stash – it’s extra of a household stash.

And I’m completely fantastic with that… till somebody eats my final bitter gummy.

Then Mama contemplates putting all of the sweet right into a decoy bag of kale chips. As a result of let’s be trustworthy right here, nobody in my household is crunching on kale chips.

They’re simply not the identical as common chips, irrespective of how arduous you attempt to persuade me.

Two forms of candies stay untouched by Elle and Eric. Black licorice and caramel.

Okay, so I completely get the black licorice factor as a result of it’s undoubtedly not for everybody. However I LOVE it. A lot in order that I used to be the child on the grocery retailer checkout begging her mother for packing containers of Good & Loads and consuming all of the black jelly beans from everybody’s Easter baskets.

However caramel? Come on now, caramel is EVERYTHING.

So, clearly there’s something deeply fallacious with each Elle and Eric as a result of they each detest that candy, buttery taste as a lot as I detest tomatoes.

Whether or not or not it’s in a froo-froo espresso drink, or a cheapo field of goodies from the pharmacy, one factor is for sure – I’m at all times going with caramel if it’s an possibility.

Like salted caramel brownies. And caramel pecan bars. And salted caramel pretzel cookies.

And I may just about drink my salted caramel sauce. However I gained’t, as a result of I really feel like I might find yourself in an ultra-sticky scenario.

However I 100% eat it straight from a spoon. No disgrace in my sport, mates.

I first made these pecan caramel clusters after attempting one thing related from our native chocolate store. They had been so, so good, I knew I needed to remake them at residence.

Once I inform you this recipe is simple, I imply it. You actually solely want handful of components.

Oh, and parchment paper. As a result of caramel is sticky.

Fast and straightforward pecan caramel clusters

When you’ve ever had chocolate turtles, then you definately already know what these pecan caramel clusters style like! They’ve the entire elements of chocolate turtles, however in a faster and simpler kind.

When making these clusters, we don’t have to fret about shaping them to appear to be turtles and even totally coating them in chocolate. 

As a substitute, we’ll combine the caramel and pecans collectively, spoon that combination out onto parchment, after which drizzle the tops in melted chocolate.

They’re nonetheless wonderful and scrumptious and ideal for gifting, however the course of is easier. Which is ideal for the vacations when everyone seems to be so busy, proper??

The best way to make pecan caramel clusters

Though they’re simple to make, these pecan caramel clusters look actually fairly. So nobody will guess they solely took you a matter of minutes to make! 

Substances you’ll want

To make these scrumptious little clusters, you’ll need:

• 11 ounces caramel squares (unwrapped)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups pecan halves, coarsely chopped
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (use much less should you aren’t a fan of salted caramel)
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet or darkish chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon shortening or coconut oil
• extra flaky sea salt for sprinkling on prime (non-compulsory)

If unwrapping 30-something caramel squares isn’t accessible for you (otherwise you simply don’t wish to do it), be happy to make use of an 11-ounce bag of Kraft Caramel Bits as a substitute. 

I loooove salted caramel, so I like to make use of 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt within the clusters and add a bit extra flaky sea salt on prime. When you aren’t a giant salted caramel fan, be happy to scale back the salt to 1/4 teaspoon.

You should use semi-sweet or darkish chocolate chips on these clusters – go along with your private favourite!

The chocolate will get melted with 1 teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil. I do know that doesn’t appear to be a lot, however it is going to make a giant distinction within the texture of the melted chocolate and the way simply it may be drizzled over the clusters. So don’t skip it!

Making this recipe

Earlier than you begin, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

To make the caramel base, soften the caramels and the heavy cream over medium-low warmth, stirring continuously. As soon as the caramels are totally melted, take the pan off the warmth.

Stir within the vanilla, pecans, and salt till effectively mixed. 

Now it’s time to scoop this combination onto the lined baking sheet. To do that, I prefer to spray a small (1 tablespoon) cookie scoop with nonstick spray and use that to portion the caramel combination onto the tray.

The caramel will unfold some, so ensure you depart a few inches between every cluster. It’s best to get 16-18 clusters from this combination.

Now combine the chocolate and shortening/coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave till easy, stirring each 30 seconds.

Drizzle the chocolate over the clusters. When you’d like, go forward and sprinkle the tops with some additional sea salt.

Pop the pan into the fridge to set the clusters earlier than serving.

Storage ideas

These pecan caramel clusters are sticky, so I like to recommend storing them on parchment paper within the fridge. Line the underside of a tin or hermetic container with parchment and place the clusters on prime.

If it’s good to layer them, ensure you put a chunk of parchment between the layers.

You possibly can additionally place the clusters in mini cupcake liners. That may help you simple seize them out and place them on serving platters for a celebration.

Earlier than serving, let the clusters relaxation at room temperature for about half-hour. This can enable the caramel to melt simply sufficient in order that it isn’t too arduous to eat!