Description
Chocolate pecan turtle clusters deliver a luxurious blend of caramel, chocolate, and toasted pecans in one irresistible bite. Sweet, nutty, and rich layers meld together, creating a perfect harmony of flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) milk chocolate chips
- 2 ½ cups (300 grams) pecans (toasted)
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar (packed)
Caramel Components:
- ½ cup (113 grams) butter (salted)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) light corn syrup
- 7 ounces (198 grams) sweetened condensed milk (half of a 14-ounce can)
Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon shortening (butter-flavored Crisco works well)
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast pecans, stirring frequently until they release a rich, nutty aroma, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow nuts to cool completely at room temperature.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, creating precise, uniform pecan clusters by arranging 4-5 pecans together in circular arrangements.
- Prepare caramel sauce by combining unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, light corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisking continuously over medium heat until mixture reaches 240°F (116°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Carefully pour warm caramel directly over each pecan cluster, ensuring even coverage and allowing slight pooling around the nuts.
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 15-second intervals and stirring between each interval to prevent scorching.
- Delicately drizzle melted chocolate over caramel-coated pecan clusters using a spoon or piping bag, creating elegant zigzag patterns.
- Transfer baking sheets to a cool, dry area or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until chocolate completely sets and hardens.
- Once fully cooled, gently separate clusters and store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Pecan toasting releases deep, nutty flavors that elevate the entire cluster’s taste profile.
- Precise cluster arrangement ensures even caramel and chocolate coverage for consistent texture.
- Homemade caramel combines rich butter, brown sugar, and condensed milk for a luxurious golden coating.
- Chocolate drizzle creates a glossy, professional finish that seals in caramel’s gooey goodness.
- Store clusters in cool, dry spaces to maintain their delicate chocolate and caramel structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg