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I have always wanted to make Turtle Clusters.
Not because I have a fascination with real live turtles and think it would be fun to nibble on one. I’ve actually NEVER wanted to do that. Thank you so much for asking. You are always so considerate. ๐
I’ve wanted to make Turtle Clusters because the flavors of chewy homemade caramel, crisp pecans and heavenly chocolate all combined into one blissful candy is just a bite of heaven right here on earth, that’s why. Heaven. On. Earth. Is what I am saying here, folks. Whoever came up with the combination should be kissed on both cheeks, high-fived with both hands and given 50 thumbs up.
You’ll have to help me out with the thumbs, guys. The last time I checked I only had two.
If you hate caramel, pecans and chocolate…please do not give 50 thumbs up, just disregard this post. No hard feelings. See you tomorrow for a chocolate free recipe. ๐
As for you fellow turtle lovers, let me show you how easy they are to make!
1. Toss 2 1/2 cups of pecans into a large skillet. Toast them over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until they have darkened just a bit and smell fragrant and wonderful. Should only take a few minutes.
2. Find yourself 2 large cookie sheets. Line them with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Arrange your pecans into clusters, three to a group works well. You want to leave some space (about an inch) between each cluster.
3. Make your caramel (full tutorial with pictures found here). Place 1/2 C butter into a medium-sized sauce pan. Melt it over medium high heat. Add 1 C brown sugar, 1/2 C light corn syrup and 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk to the pan. Increase the heat just a bit and stir it continually. Cook and stir until it reaches 235-240 degrees. I generally remove it from the heat when it reaches about 234 degrees. It will continue to rise in temperature just a bit even without the direct heat, making the caramel just the right texture.
4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
5. Carefully drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of caramel over each nut cluster. You’ll want to work quickly, as the caramel will begin to set up. Be sure there is caramel touching all of the nuts in your cluster. The caramel works like glue, sticking the nuts together.
6. In a microwave safe bowl pour 12 ounces of milk chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each cooking interval.
7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to the melted chocolate. Allow it to sit for a minute or two (so it can melt and make the chocolate chips more spreadable). Stir it all together.
8. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over the top of the caramel and nuts. Swirl it around along the top making a pretty swoop with your spoon.
9. Allow the chocolate to set up. Once it has hardened and cooled you can serve them immediately, or transfer them to an air tight container.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 C pecans
- 1/2 C butter (I use salted)
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1/2 C light corn syrup
- 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1/2 of a 14 ounce can)
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 t shortening (I use butter flavored Crisco)
Instructions
1. Toss 2 1/2 cups of pecans into a large skillet. Toast them over medium high heat, stirring occasionally,ย until they have darkened just a bit and smell fragrant and wonderful. Should only take a few minutes.
2. Find yourself 2 large cookie sheets. Line them with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray. Arrange your pecans into clusters, three to a group works well. You want to leave some space (about an inch) between each cluster.
3. Make your caramel (full tutorial with pictures found here). Place 1/2 C butter into a medium-sized sauce pan. Melt it over medium high heat. Addย 1 C brown sugar, 1/2 C light corn syrup and 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk to the pan.ย Increase the heat just a bit and stir it continually.ย Cook and stir until it reaches 235-240 degrees.ย I generally remove it from the heat whenย it reachesย about 234 degrees. It will continue to rise in temperature just a bit even without the direct heat, making the caramel just the right texture.
4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
5. Carefully drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of caramel over each nut cluster. You'll want to work quickly, as the caramel will begin to set up. Be sure there is caramel touching all of the nuts in your cluster. The caramel works like glue, sticking the nuts together.
6. In a microwave safe bowl pour 12 ounces of milk chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each cooking interval.
7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of shortening to the melted chocolate. Allow it to sit for a minute or two (so it can melt and make the chocolate chips more spreadable). Stir it all together.
8. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of melted chocolate over the top of the caramel and nuts. Swirl it around along the top making a pretty swoop with your spoon.
9. Allow the chocolate to set up. Once it has hardened and cooled you can serve them immediately, or transfer them to an air tight container.
Enjoy!
Notes
***NOTE: I used my homemade caramelย recipe for these clusters. Iย only madeย half a batch of caramel, as the ingredients below indicate.ย I've got to think about my health you know.ย Consuming 80 Turtle Clustersย could kill a person. Dead. Dead as a door nail! However, if are making Turtle Clusters for the masses please feel free to double this recipe. It will turn out very well.***
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!
Could I use a jar of caramel for ice cream instead of making it by scratch?
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, the caramel you mention wouldn’t be thick enough, or have the capacity to set up like the homemade version does.
Best of luck!
~Jamie
I use Kraft caramels and a little milk
I am planning to make these for a fundraiser in about a week. Rather than freeze them, can I store them in a sealed plastic container in the refrigerator?
JMD,
Thanks for your question. I’ve had these turn a little bit spotted if I store them in a sealed plastic container on the counter. I’m not sure if the nuts give off some moisture that makes the chocolate turn spotted…or not. However, it doesn’t generally turn out well. I would opt to store them in the freezer. Best of luck to you!
Best,
~Jamie
i just made these…used wrapped caramels…i went to walmart day after halloween and got them half price for this reason ๐ but they really set fast but soooo delicious. enjoy!!
May I ask how many wrapped caramels you used for this recipe?
Did you add anything to the melted caramels? How much
How long do you think these will keep fresh? I want to start early for Christmas.
I want to also start early for Christmas and give them as gifts. What is the best way to give them? Should it be in an airtight container? How many days will they keep? Can I do them 2 weeks ahead of time? Thanks
I just made these and the caramel is NOT setting up. I followed the directions to a tea!I used my candy thermometer and did exactly as you said. Any way to save them???
It tastes fantastic but the caramel is gooey! HELP
Carole
My caramel didn’t set up quite perfect, but I spooned each cluster of pecans, then the chocolate, & put the sheet pan in the freezer, about 5 to 7 minutes
Came out perfect
I like my clusters completely covered. What can be done to cover the bottom as well.
I made some last year from a different recipe but they were a bit thick.
Hi Angela,
I would suggest waiting for the caramel to set up completely. Then set each cluster on top of a fork and submerge it in the melted chocolate. Bring it up out of the chocolate and allow any excess to drip off into the bowl. Set them back on some parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set up. It should work well for you. Best of luck!
~Jamie
Instead of dipping the whole Turtle in chocolate I put a dollop of chocolate down before placing the pecans and caramel…this gives a chocolate base and chocolate top to the Turtles.
I plan on using cupcake liners like I do when I make peanut butter cups. A bit of chocolate on the bottom and build your clusters in them .. No muss no fuss.. I hope this helps
Do the turtles stick to the paper? It seems a lot easier to make these in mini muffin liners to keep them all corralled. I’ve made a batch and they have sort of spread out.
I need some ideal for a bariatric diet.
Pecans are very nutritious! These turtles would be a yummy way to fit nuts into your diet.
are the choc. chips sweetened or non sweetened kind?
Thanks
Claudette,
Thanks for your question. I like to use Milk Chocolate, but semi sweet works as well.
Best,
~Jamie
I made these for co-worker Xmas gifts and WHAT A HIT!! Once they were I put the nut “blobs” into mini cupcake papers and poured thee chocolate over them. It kept them separate and added a festive touch. The downside is that you must make them just before packaging them to gift to your friends. I left them in the fridge overnight and put 12 in each small Xmas tin I bought at the Dollar Store. What Fun!! Thanks Jamie!! Wonderful recipe.
Deborah,
So happy they turned out well! Thanks for letting me know. ๐
All my best,
~Jamie