Chocolate Turtle Pecan Clusters

4.67 from 3 votes

Chocolate Turtle Pecan Clusters

Homemade Chocolate Turtle Pecan Clusters are a hit any time of the year, especially during the Holiday season and Valentine's Day. No one will ever know how easy they are to make with only 5 ingredients. Creamy caramel, smooth rich chocolate, and toasty pecans combine for a mouth-watering decadent treat, also known as Chocolate Bear Claw Candy.

Prep Time25

Idle time10

Total Time35

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Turtle pecan clusters

Servings: Servings

Calories: 214kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

20 caramels
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup pecan halves
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coarse salt

Instructions

Prepare a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and make 12 pecan clusters by placing 3 to 5 pecan halves together in clusters on the baking sheet.
Melt caramels with the milk in a medium saucepan on medium to low heat. Monitor and stir until caramels are melted completely and smoothly.
Once melted, place a generous dollop of caramel over each cluster of pecans on the cookie sheet.
Let the caramel cluster set for 10 minutes.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave at 30- second intervals. Stir at each 30-second interval until the chocolate chips are completely melted.
Use a spoon to dip each cluster into the melted chocolate until it is completely coated.
Place each cluster back on the parchment paper and sprinkle with a little coarse sea salt.
Repeat with for every cluster and then place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened.
Once hardened, you can serve or store your chocolate turtle pecan clusters or package them to give away! Otherwise, store in an airtight sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Notes

Recipe notes and helpful tips

Make sure the candies are set and hardened completely before removing the turtles from the parchment paper. If you find the caramel is sticking to the paper, you can place the clusters in the freezer for 15 minutes; then, you should be able to remove them more easily. If you do not have parchment paper, you can spray the baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Can I Use Other Types Of Chocolate?

Yes! Since semisweet chocolate typically contains around 50% of the sugar in milk chocolate, milk chocolate chips would offer a much sweeter treat. If bittersweet dark chocolate is your preference or simply what you have on hand, that would also work! You could also melt chopped baking chocolate for this recipe.

Best Ways to Melt Chocolate:

To melt the chocolate, use a microwave-safe bowl. Cook and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate, is completely melted. You can also melt chocolate chips with butter or coconut oil to provide a nice shine to the chocolate when it hardens.

Variations for this recipe

In place of milk, you may use heavy cream to help melt the caramel and add creamy richness and depth. Homemade caramel sauce is also an option for this recipe if you feel inspired!
Toasted pecans can be used by spreading your pecans out in a single layer on your baking sheet. Toast the pecans at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes and allow them to cool. Then follow the recipe!
While this traditional Christmas candy calls for pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds would serve as great substitutes. For nut allergies, pretzels also offer a savory crunch for each bite!
In place of salt, feel free to use festive sprinkles to match your occasion!
This chocolate pecan turtle clusters recipe is certainly a simple homemade treat, but if you're in a pinch, you can always use Rolos! Rolos are store-bought chocolate and caramel candy. Use a pretzel as a base, place a Rolo on top, bake for 4 minutes at 300 degrees, then place a single pecan half on top and press down. Let the chocolate harden, and voila!

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