CHOCOLATE PECAN TURTLE CLUSTERS

These Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters combine toasted pecans, creamy caramel, and rich milk chocolate for a delightful homemade treat that’s sure to impress. Perfectly sweetened with a hint of vanilla and a glossy chocolate finish, these clusters make for a luxurious dessert, gift, or sweet snack you won’t want to miss.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters:

Perfect for Gifting: Pack these treats in a decorative tin or box for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No fancy ingredients here—just butter, sugar, chocolate, and pecans come together to create something special.
Sweet and Crunchy: The balance of sweet caramel and smooth chocolate with crunchy toasted pecans is simply irresistible.
Easy to Make: Don’t let their impressive look fool you—these clusters are easier to make than they appear, and I’ll walk you through each step.

Key Ingredients:

Pecans: Toasting the pecans before assembling the clusters brings out their natural oils and intensifies the flavor. Be careful not to over-toast, as nuts can burn quickly.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This thick, sweet milk is essential for achieving a creamy caramel. Be sure not to confuse it with evaporated milk, which won’t work the same way in this recipe.
Milk Chocolate Chips: Milk chocolate adds a creamy, sweet layer, but feel free to use dark chocolate if you prefer a less sweet option.
Shortening: Just a little shortening helps make the melted chocolate smoother and easier to drizzle, giving your clusters a polished, glossy finish.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Instructions

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Toast the Pecans: Place the pecans in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Stir and Toast: Stir the pecans occasionally until they darken slightly and release a fragrant aroma, about 3-5 minutes.
Cool the Pecans: Transfer the toasted pecans to a plate to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheets

Line the Sheets: Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray the paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Arrange the Pecans: Arrange the cooled pecans in clusters on the parchment paper, using three pecans per cluster. Leave about an inch of space between each cluster for room to add the caramel and chocolate.

Step 3: Make the Caramel

Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1/2 cup of butter.
Add Ingredients: Once melted, add 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, and 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, stirring continuously to avoid burning.
Cook to Temperature: Using a candy thermometer, cook the caramel mixture until it reaches 235-240°F, stirring frequently. (You may want to remove the caramel from heat around 234°F to allow for carryover cooking.)
Add Vanilla: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, enhancing the caramel’s flavor and aroma.

Step 4: Drizzle the Caramel

Drizzle the Caramel: Carefully drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of warm caramel over each pecan cluster, ensuring each pecan is coated. Work quickly to avoid the caramel setting too soon.

Step 5: Melt the Chocolate

Melt Chocolate Chips: In a microwave-safe bowl, add 12 ounces of milk chocolate chips and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted.
Add Shortening: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to make the chocolate smooth and spreadable. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until fully incorporated.

Step 6: Top with Chocolate

Drizzle Chocolate: Use a spoon to drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over each caramel-covered pecan cluster, swirling to cover the caramel and pecans evenly for a glossy finish.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Set the Chocolate: Let the clusters cool completely. You can place the cookie sheets in the refrigerator to speed up the process, but avoid exposing the clusters to moisture.
Store: Once set, serve the clusters immediately or store them in an airtight container for gifting or enjoying later.

Serving Suggestions:

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed on their own, but here are a few ways to make them even more special:

Gift Presentation: Place clusters in decorative boxes or cellophane bags with a ribbon for a beautiful homemade gift.
Dessert Spread: Serve as part of a dessert platter with other bite-sized treats like truffles, fudge, or mini cookies.
Turtle Ice Cream Sundae: Crumble a few clusters over vanilla ice cream, add a drizzle of chocolate and caramel sauce, and top with whipped cream for an indulgent sundae.

Storage and Tips:

These clusters store well, making them ideal for advance prep.

Room Temperature: Store the clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid refrigerating for prolonged periods to prevent moisture from affecting the chocolate’s appearance.
Freezing: If you’d like to make these ahead and store them longer, they freeze beautifully! Just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Avoid Humidity: When making or storing chocolate clusters, keep them away from humid areas to prevent the chocolate from blooming (developing white streaks).

Recipe Variations:

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Here are some ideas for customizing your clusters:

Dark Chocolate Turtles: Substitute milk chocolate with dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet flavor.
Salted Caramel Turtles: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate while it’s still melted to create a delicious salty-sweet contrast.
Nutty Mix: Replace half the pecans with other nuts, like almonds or walnuts, for a mixed-nut cluster.
Drizzle Finish: Instead of fully covering with chocolate, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate in a crisscross pattern over the caramel for a more intricate presentation.
Espresso Caramel Turtles: Add a touch of instant espresso powder to the caramel for a deep, coffee-infused caramel flavor.

Conclusion:

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are a decadent treat that everyone will love. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, a gift, or a weekend treat, these nutty, caramel-filled clusters offer that perfect combination of textures and flavors. Make a batch (or two!) and get ready to savor every delicious, chocolatey bite. Enjoy!