Nancys Chocolate Caramel Pecan 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.

PECAN CARAMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels, water and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3 to 3-1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in pecans. , Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Freeze for 15-20 minutes or until set., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine candy coatings. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 15 seconds; stir until smooth. Dip caramel clusters in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until firm.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven (leave the oven on); set aside 36 pecans on the baking sheet. Finely chop the remaining pecans (for about 1/4 cup); set aside.
• When the pecans are cool enough to handle, make 12 clusters by arranging 2 pecans vertically, side by side, below 1 pecan placed horizontally. Gently flatten each caramel; place 1 on top of each cluster. Bake the clusters 5 minutes. Remove from the oven (leave the oven on).
• Place 1 piece of chocolate on top of each cluster. Return to the oven; bake until the chocolate begins to melt, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven. With the back of a spoon, gently spread the chocolate over the caramel without completely covering it.
• Sprinkle the clusters with the reserved chopped pecans. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Bring to room temperature before serving.

CHOCOLATE PECAN CARAMEL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• For the caramel: Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Return to low heat and whisk until smooth.
• Stir 1 1/3 cups chopped nuts into the warm caramel; cool until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape. Drop spoonfuls onto an oiled parchment-lined baking sheet; let set. Top with melted chocolate and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

LOVE NIBBLES (PECAN CLUSTERS)

Steps:

• 1. Butter two cookie sheets (do NOT try using wax paper--the caramel will stick to it). Combine caramels, butter and water; zap in the microwave (uncovered) on high power for about 3 minutes--STIRRING every 30-45 seconds. Add the pecans and stir. Drop from a spoon (use a knife to keep things neat) onto the BUTTERED baking sheets. Chill sheets for an hour or freeze for 15 minutes (caramel will be set). Coarsely chop both the dark chocolate and the almond bark/white candy coating. Melt chocolate and bark in the microwave, on high for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds or so. Line cookie sheets with waxed paper. Dip pecan clusters in the chocolate; place clusters on waxed paper. Chill until firm.

CARAMEL PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil. On the baking sheets, arrange 60 clusters of 4 pecan halves each, with 1 inch of space between the clusters. Set aside.
• In a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter. Stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula until the mixture comes to a boil (5 to 8 minutes). Wash down the sides of the pan two times with a pastry brush dipped in warm water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, place a candy thermometer in the pan, and cook the mixture until it registers 246°F on the thermometer (15 to 20 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the caramel into a 2-quart mixing bowl and stir to cool slightly (about 1 minute).
• Spoon a tablespoon of caramel onto the center of each pecan cluster. Let the caramel set completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes).
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper. Melt and temper the chocolate (see pages 25-30). Spoon a tablespoon of chocolate over the caramel on each turtle, or dip a turtle into the chocolate, coating it completely. With a fork or dipper, remove the turtle from the chocolate, carefully shake off the excess chocolate, and turn the turtle out onto the paper. Repeat with the remaining turtles. Let the chocolate set up at room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. In a tightly covered container wrapped in several layers of aluminum foil, the candies will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer. They are best eaten at room temperature.
• VARIATIONS
• Substitute whole, unblanched almonds or walnut halves, for the pecans. Substitute milk chocolate for the bittersweet chocolate.

NANCY'S CHOCOLATE, CARAMEL & PECAN CLUSTERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper; set aside. In a microwave, melt 1 cup chocolate chips ( about 1 1/2 minutes) stir until smooth. Drop chocolate by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheet.
• 2. Immediately place one pecan halve on top of each; Place the caramels in a 1 quart microwave-safe dish; add cream. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes, stirring once. Spoon by teaspoon on top of each piece.
• 3. Melt the remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Spread over caramel. Then I like to drizzle the remaining caramel over each piece