These delicious pecan caramel clusters are the best quick and easy homemade candy to make. If you are a fan of caramel flavored candies or Fannie May’s famous Dixie’s, then this is the perfect recipe for you.
With a short list of ingredients and only about 30 minutes needed to make these pecan caramel clusters, your sweet tooth will be nothing less than satisfied!
This confection is a sweet and chewy dessert candy that is both soft and crunchy. My family and I simply could not stop eating these addictive pecan caramel clusters, so let’s get into this recipe!
Equipment & Ingredients
To make these pecan caramel clusters, you will need these ingredients.
- Caramels
- Butter
- Pecans
- Heavy Cream
- Vanilla Extract
As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls
Heat the Caramel
Ina saucepan, add the caramels first as well as the vanilla extract. Place over low to medium heat and wait for the caramels to melt, stirring every so often. This method of melting caramels requires close attention, so don’t walk away from the stove for too long while they are melting. For other methods of melting caramel read HERE.
Once all the caramels have fully melted, add the heavy cream and keep the heat on low. This will thin out the caramel consistency and allow for the pecan caramel clusters to cool as a chewy caramel, rather than a hard caramel. Mix until the caramels and heavy cream are fully combined and the two ingredients show no separation. Remove from the heat.
Methods to Melt Caramel
- Saucepan – This method involves placing the caramels straight into a saucepan. Heat the caramels on medium-low heat and stir almost constantly to prevent sticking and burning. Continue until all the caramels have melted away into a sauce. This method requires the most attention, but is the quickest.
- Double Boiler – Place a bowl or a pot on top of another pot fill slightly with water. Heat the double boiler until the water is boiling. Place the caramels in the empty bowl or pot on top. Slowly melt the caramels using this double boiler method. The heat from the steam of the boiling water will rise to melt the caramel. This method is basically foolproof in burning the caramels as it heats slowly with indirect heat. But this method also takes the longest to fully melt the caramels
- Microwave – To melt caramels in the microwave, place the caramels and cream/milk of choice into a heat safe bowl. Microwave the caramels at 30-second intervals, stirring in between each. Continue doing this until the caramels have melted and become completely smooth. This method is the simplest and quickest after the saucepan.
Add the Nuts
Before the caramel begins to cool too much, place the chopped pecans into the caramel. Leaving aside some chopped nuts to roll the balls in later. Stir together with a spoon until thoroughly combined. I was super tempted to take a quick bite of this mixture at this moment while the caramel was still warm… and I did! And I highly recommend you don’t fight the urge and let yourself do the same.
Cool and Roll Pecan Caramel Clusters
Transfer the pecan caramel clusters mixture to a heat safe bowl. The hard work is almost done. At this point the caramel will be too hot to roll into balls just yet. Place this bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow the mixture to cool.
Once the mixture is cooled, but still slightly warm and malleable, take out large tablespoons full of the mixture and roll into balls. Place on a clean sheet or cutting board. Repeat with the rest until you have used up all the pecan caramel mixture. Now bring back the extra chopped pecans set aside earlier. Roll each ball into the pecans and coat them with an outer layer of pecans. This really makes the pecan caramel clusters taste just like Fannie May’s and helps to prevent these candies from being super sticky when picking up once they fully cool.
After all the bowls have been coated in pecans one last time, transfer to the refrigerator again for 15 minutes. Now that these candies have cooled they are ready to serve!
These pecan caramel clusters are super easy store. Place in a tight sealed Ziploc bag or a plastic container for storage. Leave at room temperature and these delicious candies will be fresh for weeks. But I assure you they DEFINITELY won’t last that long.
If you have any questions about the recipe or want to share how these pecan caramel clusters came out for you, please leave a comment. Don’t forget to share this sweet recipe with family and friends!
Pecan Caramel Clusters
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy18-20
servings5
minutes15
minutes25
minutesA thick caramel and pecan candy treat. If you are a fan of Fannie Mae's Dixie candy than this is the recipe for you. I couldn't believe the similarity of this pecan caramel cluster recipe to this the famous little truffles.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 ounce bag Kraft chewy caramels
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Topping
1 cup pecans, chopped (for rolling)
Directions
- If purchased whole pecans, chop them and set them aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter first. Add the caramels to the butter over medium heat and melt down while stirring continuously.
- Once the caramels and butter mixture are completely smooth lower the heat to medium low. Add the heavy cream. Stir together and the addition of the heavy cream will thin out the caramel where the sauce will drip consistently from the spoon if lifted from the pot.
- Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract, stirring until combined.
- Pour the caramel into a heat safe bowl and add the chopped pecans. Fold together with a spoon or rubber spatula.
- Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and allow the caramel to cool slightly.
- The caramel will be thicker, but malleable enough to take large tablespoons full of roll into a ball. Take the extra chopped pecans for topping and roll each caramel pecan cluster into it to coat the outside fully.
- Set on a plate or baking sheet and place in the refrigerator again for 10 minutes to allow the caramel cluster to fully firm up.
- Enjoy these soft and chewy pecan caramel clusters or store in a tight sealed container at room temperature!
