All you need is 4 ingredients to make these yummy clusters of goodness. I tried two different methods of making these heavenly morsels and will let you pick which way you like best.
Ingredients:
Chocolate (I used Lindt Swiss Dark, you can use anything you like)
25 Caramel chews
1/4 cup Heavy cream (I used 35%, table cream will probably do the same trick)
Pecans, toasted
Directions:
Unwrap the caramel chews and place in a small microwave safe bowl with the cream. Heat in the microwave in 30 second intervals mixing after each interval until the caramel is melted and smooth, but do not over heat. It should be pourable but not too runny.
In a separate bowl or piping bag, melt your chocolate, using the same method as with the caramel, and set aside for the time being.
Method #1
With this method I made mini clusters using a mini cupcake pan. They're more time consuming to make but are the perfect bite-size and come out even every time.
Lightly grease a mini cupcake pan and pour just enough caramel to cover the bottom (toonie sized). Press in a few pecan pieces and then using a spoon or piping bag cover with chocolate.
Let it sit at room temperature for approximately an hour to allow the chocolate to set.
When you're ready to enjoy, carefully slide a butter knife along one edge and push down, the whole cluster should pop right out. If you can get past this stage without eating them all, I found it to be helpful to flip them upside down allowing the caramel to dry a little, making it less gooey.
Then I transferred them into mini cupcake liners, which made them easy to box and give away as gifts.
Method #2
This method was definitely easier, but made for more uneven and thinner clusters. Both methods taste amazing so take your pick, or do both!
place 3 or 4 pecan halves on a piece of parchment paper. Drizzle some melted caramel over top. Drizzle some chocolate on top of that. Everything will spread a little bit so don't pour too much on.
Allow the cluster to cool at room temperature for approximately an hour. As with above, I like to flip them over and allow the caramel to set a little bit as well.
Flip back over and enjoy :).