CHOCOLATE PECAN TURTLE CLUSTERS

CHOCOLATE PECAN TURTLE CLUSTERS
Ingredients
2½ cups pecan halves
½ cup butter (salted works great)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt (optional, if butter is unsalted)
2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
Instructions
Toast the pecans (optional but recommended):
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 6–8 minutes, stirring once. Set aside.
Make the caramel:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream.
Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat and simmer 4–5 minutes until thickened.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt.
Add pecans:
Stir toasted pecans into the caramel until fully coated.
Form clusters:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop spoonfuls of the pecan caramel mixture onto the sheet.
Let cool slightly so they hold together.
Melt chocolate:
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (30-second intervals) or over a double boiler.
Spoon melted chocolate over each cluster.
Set:
Let clusters set at room temperature or refrigerate 20–30 minutes until firm.