Description
These Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters are a delightful combination of toasted pecans, rich praline caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. A simple treat that’s ideal for holidays or any time you need a sweet indulgence!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Makes about 24 clusters:
- 2 cups (200 g) pecan halves, toasted
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (optional, for coating)
Instructions
- Toast the pecans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast for 7-10 minutes, or until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the praline caramel:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, and corn syrup.
- Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until it reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt.
- Assemble the clusters:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Arrange small piles of pecans (about 4-5 halves per cluster) on the sheet. Spoon the praline caramel over each pile, ensuring the pecans are coated.
- Optional: Add chocolate coating:
- If desired, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the clusters or dip the bottoms of the clusters in the chocolate.
- Sprinkle with sea salt:
- While the caramel or chocolate is still warm, sprinkle each cluster with a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor.
- Cool and serve:
- Let the clusters cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator until firm. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use roasted salted pecans for extra flavor if you prefer a more savory-sweet combination.
- For easier cleanup, use a silicone baking mat for the caramel and chocolate.
- These clusters make excellent gifts when packaged in festive tins or bags.