Description
Delightful Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters showcase sweet Southern charm with caramelized pecans and delicate sea salt. Crisp candied nuts offer rich flavor and elegant texture that will satisfy chocolate and confection enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200 g / 7.05 oz) pecan halves, toasted
- 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 oz) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp sea salt (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1 cup (180 g / 6.35 oz) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (optional, for coating)
Instructions
- Toasting Pecans: Spread pecan halves on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for 7-10 minutes until fragrant and golden. Set aside to cool completely.
- Crafting Praline Caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and corn syrup. Heat over moderate flame, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 240F (115C) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract and sea salt until smooth and glossy.
- Cluster Assembly: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange 4-5 toasted pecans in small clusters. Carefully drizzle warm praline caramel over each cluster, ensuring thorough and even coverage of the nuts.
- Chocolate Enhancement: Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at short intervals until completely smooth. Embellish clusters by either drizzling chocolate across the surface or dipping cluster bottoms into the melted chocolate.
- Finishing Touch: While caramel and chocolate remain slightly fluid, sprinkle a delicate pinch of sea salt over each cluster to elevate the flavor profile. Allow clusters to set at room temperature or expedite cooling in the refrigerator. Transfer to an airtight container, where they will maintain their crisp texture for up to one week.
Notes
- Toast Pecans Carefully: Spread pecans evenly on a baking sheet and watch closely to prevent burning, as their natural oils can quickly turn from golden to bitter.
- Monitor Caramel Temperature: Use a reliable candy thermometer to hit the precise 240F sweet spot, which ensures the perfect glossy texture without crystallizing or burning.
- Control Chocolate Melting: Microwave chocolate in 15-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth, glossy finish for coating.
- Optimize Salt Finishing: Sprinkle sea salt while caramel or chocolate is still warm to help salt adhere and create a balanced sweet-savory flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 196
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg