Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are so indulgent and easy to make. The perfect combo of sweet, salty, and crunchy. They’re like little bites of heaven! Here’s a simple, no-bake recipe for these delicious treats:
Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pecan halves (or roughly chopped, depending on your texture preference)
- 1 1/2 cups caramel (about 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, or use pre-made caramel bits or sauce)
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate, depending on your preference)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional, but adds a nice flavor depth)
- Sea salt (optional, for a salty-sweet contrast)
Instructions:
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Toast the Pecans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Toast them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re lightly golden and fragrant. Keep an eye on them—they can burn quickly!
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Prepare the Caramel:
- If you’re using sweetened condensed milk, heat it in a saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until it thickens to a caramel consistency (about 10-12 minutes). Add the butter and vanilla extract to give it a smooth texture.
- If you’re using store-bought caramel bits or sauce, just heat it gently according to package instructions.
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Melt the Chocolate:
- While the pecans are toasting, melt the chocolate chips. You can do this in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler or in the microwave. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth.
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Assemble the Clusters:
- Once the pecans are toasted, arrange them into little clusters on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place about 5-6 pecan halves in each cluster, creating a small mound.
- Drizzle about 1-2 tsp of caramel over each pecan cluster.
- Spoon or drizzle the melted chocolate over the top, covering the caramel and pecans. You want it to coat the nuts and form a nice layer on top.
- If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the chocolate for that sweet-and-salty touch.
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Chill to Set:
- Allow the clusters to cool and harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or pop them in the fridge for 15 minutes to speed things up.
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Serve & Enjoy!
- Once the chocolate has set, carefully peel the clusters off the parchment paper.
- Serve them as a treat, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1-2 weeks (if they last that long!).
Tips:
- For a fun twist, you could drizzle a little white chocolate over the top for extra decoration and flavor contrast.
- If you prefer a different nut, you can swap the pecans for walnuts or cashews.
- For an extra-rich caramel, use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet.
These little turtle clusters are perfect for gifts, parties, or just a sweet treat to indulge in. Enjoy making (and eating!) them!