Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters Recipe
Delicious homemade Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters featuring toasted pecans coated in smooth caramel and rich chocolate, topped with a hint of sea salt. These bite-sized treats combine crunchy nuts, creamy caramel, and silky chocolate for an irresistible sweet snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 50 clusters 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: No-bake, microwave melting, assembling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Nut Clusters
- 2 cups pecan halves, lightly toasted
- Parchment paper for lining
Caramel Layer
- 1 (14 oz) bag soft caramels (about 50 pieces)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Chocolate Coating
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter (optional)
Garnish
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Arrange Pecans: Place the toasted pecan halves into clusters of 3 or 4 nuts each, spacing them evenly across the lined baking sheet.
- Melt Caramel: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until the mixture is smooth and fully melted, approximately 2 minutes total.
- Top Pecans with Caramel: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the melted caramel over each pecan cluster, allowing it to drizzle over the nuts without spreading too far. Let it cool and set slightly for a few minutes.
- Melt Chocolate: In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with coconut oil or butter. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Coat Clusters with Chocolate: Spoon a layer of the melted chocolate over the caramel, covering each cluster completely.
- Add Sea Salt: If desired, sprinkle sea salt flakes on top of each cluster to enhance the flavor with a subtle salty crunch.
- Set and Serve: Allow the clusters to cool completely until the chocolate hardens. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for a firmer texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor and texture.
- Lightly toast pecans to bring out their natural flavor and crunch.
- The coconut oil or butter in the chocolate helps achieve a smoother, shinier coating but is optional.
- Store clusters in an airtight container in a cool place to prevent melting.
- Sea salt flakes are optional but add a nice contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cluster (approx. 15g)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Chocolate pecan turtle clusters, caramel pecan clusters, easy chocolate candy, no-bake dessert, holiday treats
