Caramel Peanut Clusters Recipes

PECAN CARMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Place caramels, butter, and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth, about 3 minutes. Stir in pecans.
• Drop caramel pecan mixture by spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Place in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Dip each caramel cluster into chocolate using a fondue fork until coated; place on parchment paper to dry. Chill until firm, if necessary.

CARAMEL PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Pour Caramel Bits into a microwave-safe bowl, with 2 teaspoons of water and microwave in 30 minute increments, stirring in between each heating. It took 1 ½ minutes to melt the caramels with only a few left unmelted. Stirring the warm, creamy caramel allowed the last chunks to completely melt and be incorporated.
• Pour the jar of peanuts into the caramel and stir to completely coat all peanuts.
• Drop by spoonful onto a buttered or greased sheet of wax paper, or a silicone baking mat. Allow the caramel clusters to cool and set up, about 10 minutes.
• While the clusters cool, prepare the dipping chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl add the butter and chocolate. Breaking the chocolate into small pieces along the perforations to helps it melt more quickly.
• Again, 30 second increments in the microwave, stirring in between each, will help the chocolate melt quickly and prevent burning or scorching. After 1 ½ minutes, you may still have a few soft chunks of chocolate in the mixture, but stirring will allow them to melt and be combined with the melted chocolate dip.
• After the chocolate is melted, dip each cluster into the chocolate and turn it to be sure all sides are covered. Lift the cluster out of the chocolate on the tines of a fork. Gently tap the fork handle against the rim of the bowl, allowing excess chocolate to drip through the tines of the fork, back into the bowl.
• Place the clusters back onto the prepared surface and leave them to cool and harden 1 to 2 hours.

RECIPE FOR PEANUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients to make your homemade caramel recipe.
• In a container, combine the heavy whipping cream and milk. This milk is going to be divided into 2 parts. One part at the beginning of the recipe and the second part for the end of the recipe.
• In a large saucepan, add 3/4 cup of the milk mixture, granulated sugar and the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Stir to combine all ingredients.
• Bring to a low boil over medium to medium/high heat. Continue stirring to dissolve all the sugars.
• Make sure to use a candy thermometer to keep track of the temperature, cook till 234°F.
• With the caramel mixture still on medium heat, very slowly pour in the remaining 3/4 cup of milk mixture stirring constantly. Making sure the caramel mixture continues to boil as you pour in the milk mixture.
• Continue stirring and cook caramel mixture to 244°F.
• Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla.
• This process takes me at least 1 hour. Do not rush this process otherwise your caramel will not set properly. Cooking time will vary.
• Let the homemade caramel cool for about 10 - 20 minutes before spooning onto the nuts.
• On a large surface, cover with a piece of foil or plastic wrap. Coat the covered surface with non-stick cooking spray.
• Arrange all the peanuts in small clusters on the sprayed surface. You will have about 30 to 36 piles of peanuts spread on the greased surface.
• Once the homemade caramel has come to the right temperature (not to hot and not to cold), spoon about 1 tablespoon on top of the peanut cluster. Be careful to keep the peanuts together and not spread out when the caramel is poured on top.
• Cover all the peanut piles with the hot caramel. Let the caramel set.
• Place the milk chocolate wafers in a microwaveable bowl. Keep a few pieces of the chocolate out and set aside.
• If desired, add the shortening on top of the chocolate.
• Microwave in 30 second intervals, making sure to stir the chocolate between intervals.
• Do not overheat the Chocolate. When the chocolate is melted, add the few pieces of the chocolate that was set aside. Stir until melted.
• Do not microwave, just stir to melt. This is called "tempering the chocolate" and will help prevent the white streaks in your finished chocolates.
• Once the chocolate is melted properly, add a spoonful on top of the cooled caramel clusters.
• Let the caramel peanut turtles set before trying to move.