Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters (Irresistible & Addictive!)

These Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are the ultimate sweet treatcrunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate all in one bite! If you’re looking for a simple homemade candy recipe that everyone will love, this is it. Warning: They’re so good, you won’t be able to stop eating them! 😋


💚 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet, Crunchy & Gooey – A perfect balance of textures in every bite.
Easy to MakeNo special equipment needed!
Great for Gifting – Perfect for holidays, parties, or homemade treats.
Irresistibly Addictive – You can’t eat just one!


📌 Ingredients (Makes About 24 Clusters)

🥜 For the Pecan Clusters:

  • 2½ cups pecans, toasted for extra flavor

🍯 For the Caramel Sauce:

  • ½ cup butter (salted or unsalted)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (half of a 14 oz can)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

🍫 For the Chocolate Coating:

  • 12 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (or chocolate melting wafers)
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil (optional, for a smoother coating)

💡 Optional Additions:
✔ Sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet-salty twist!
✔ Use dark chocolate for a richer taste.
✔ Add a drizzle of white chocolate for decoration.


🍽 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Toast the Pecans (Optional but Recommended!)

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3️⃣ Bake for 5-7 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool.

💡 Toasting enhances the pecans’ natural nutty flavor!


🍯 Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce

1️⃣ In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
2️⃣ Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk.
3️⃣ Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes, until thickened.
4️⃣ Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

💡 The caramel is ready when it reaches a golden color and coats the back of a spoon.


🥜 Step 3: Assemble the Clusters

1️⃣ Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Arrange small piles of pecans (about 4-5 pecans per cluster).
3️⃣ Spoon a dollop of warm caramel over each pile.
4️⃣ Let cool for 10-15 minutes, or until the caramel is set.

💡 Tip: Work quickly! Caramel thickens as it cools.


🍫 Step 4: Melt the Chocolate & Coat the Clusters

1️⃣ In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips & coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
2️⃣ Spoon or drizzle melted chocolate over each caramel-pecan cluster.
3️⃣ Let them set at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

💡 For a thicker chocolate layer, dip the entire cluster in melted chocolate!


🍽 Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

1️⃣ Once set, peel clusters off parchment paper.
2️⃣ Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week, or in the fridge for 2 weeks.

💡 Perfect for holiday treats, parties, or gifting in festive tins! 🎁


🕰️ Recipe Timing & Nutrition

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooling Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: ~40 minutes
  • Calories: ~180 kcal per cluster
  • Servings: ~24 clusters

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips & Variations

No Corn Syrup? Use honey or maple syrup instead.
Want a Darker Caramel? Cook an extra 2 minutes for a deeper flavor.
Crunchy Add-Ins? Try adding toasted coconut or chopped almonds!
Make It Vegan? Use vegan butter, coconut condensed milk & dairy-free chocolate.


FAQs

Can I freeze these turtle clusters?

Yes! Store in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 2 months.

How do I prevent the caramel from getting too hard?

Cook it just until thickened, and avoid overcooking past soft ball stage (235-240°F / 113-116°C).

What’s the best chocolate to use?

Use high-quality chocolate bars or melting wafers for the smoothest texture.

Leave a Comment