Soft Caramel Pecan Clusters
Soft Caramel Pecan Clusters are bite-sized confections of tender, chewy caramel enveloping toasted pecan pieces, delivering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
For the Caramel
- 1 cup Pecans, chopped Toast lightly for deeper flavor; use walnuts or almonds as alternatives
- 1 cup Granulated sugar Standard white sugar provides clean caramelization; brown sugar will add molasses notes
- 1/4 cup Unsalted butter Use salted butter and omit added salt for a subtle change in seasoning
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream Half-and-half yields lighter richness while evaporated milk creates a denser texture
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Pure vanilla provides the best aroma; almond extract can be used sparingly
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt Sea salt or fine kosher salt both work; increase to 1/2 teaspoon for salted caramel contrast
Instructions
Caramel Preparation
- Combine sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir mixture continuously until it comes to a full, rolling boil.
- Boil mixture without stirring for about five minutes until it develops a golden caramel color.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt until fully incorporated.
Assembling the Clusters
- Add chopped pecans to the caramel in the saucepan and stir to combine evenly.
- Spoon clusters of the nut-caramel mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop.
- Let clusters cool at room temperature until completely set and no longer tacky to the touch.
- Serve clusters at room temperature or store as directed for later enjoyment.
Notes
Toast the pecans lightly for five minutes at 350°F to deepen the nutty flavor. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots that can burn caramel. Avoid stirring during the five-minute boil to prevent sugar crystallization. Cool clusters on parchment at room temperature to preserve chewiness.