Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters
Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are a delightful combination of toasted pecans, rich caramel, and creamy chocolate, creating a sweet and indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 clusters 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop and Microwave
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pecan halves toasted
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 7 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
- ½ tsp shortening
Instructions
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Cool on a plate.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment and lightly spray. Arrange pecans into small clusters of 3–4 pieces each.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly while cooking.
- Attach a candy thermometer and cook until mixture reaches 235–240°F. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Quickly spoon about 1½ teaspoons of caramel over each pecan cluster. Work fast — rewarm if needed.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth.
- Spoon about 1½ teaspoons of melted chocolate over each cluster. Let cool at room temp or chill briefly to set.
- Store in an airtight container up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Make sure to toast the pecans to enhance their flavor.
- Work quickly with the caramel as it thickens fast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cluster
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg