These Chocolate Pecan Clusters with Caramel are absolutely irresistible! With a decadent blend of nutty, chewy caramel goodness and sweet chocolate flavor, they’re sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make using a slow cooker, making them a perfect homemade candy recipe for parties, gifting, or simply treating yourself!
Whether you’re hosting a gathering and need a crowd-pleasing treat or want to create thoughtful homemade gifts, these Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters are sure to impress. Make a batch, serve them up, and watch them disappear in no time!
Table of Contents
- What are Chocolate Pecan Clusters with Caramel?
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Chocolate Pecan Clusters with Caramel
- Flavor Variations
- Do I Need to Toast the Pecans?
- How to Store
- Common Questions about this Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cluster Recipe
- More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters Recipe
What are Chocolate Pecan Clusters with Caramel?
Chocolate pecan clusters with caramel are the ultimate bite-sized candies—sweet, salty, and perfectly chewy with that irresistible nutty crunch. Made right in your slow cooker, they’re a foolproof way to create homemade candy without the stress. The gentle, even heat melts the caramel and chocolate slowly, keeping the pecans crisp while preventing sogginess. The result? Little clusters of buttery caramel and rich chocolate that taste like they came straight from a candy shop—but with hardly any effort on your part.
The best part is that the slow cooker takes all the guesswork out of candy-making. You don’t have to worry about grainy caramel, sugar crystallization, or watching a thermometer to get the temperature just right. The low, consistent heat does the work for you, creating perfectly smooth caramel and glossy, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. Whether you’re gifting them, setting them out for a party, or just sneaking a few from the fridge, these clusters are the kind of sweet simplicity that never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chocolate Almond Bark – We use a combination of semi-sweet chocolate almond bark and white chocolate almond bark, but you could choose one or the other.
- Pecans – Use whole or chopped pecans, depending on your texture preference.
- Melting Dark Chocolate Wafers – We love to use Ghiradelli wafers for a rich flavor!
- Caramel Bits – Find soft caramel candies in the baking aisle or candy aisle of your local grocery store.
- Sea Salt – Adjust to taste.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Clusters with Caramel
Unlike most pecan cluster recipes, this version comes together in the slow cooker. That means you don’t have to spend time standing over a hot stove!
- Layer. Arrange the pecans in a single layer at the bottom of a slow cooker. Break the chocolate and white chocolate almond bark into pieces, and arrange them over the pecans. Then, add the chocolate wafers.
- Cook. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on low heat until the chocolate begins to melt, stirring occasionally. You’ll know the chocolate is ready when it’s completely smooth, glossy, and flows easily off your spoon—no lumps or streaks in sight.
- Combine. Sprinkle the caramel bits evenly over the chocolate mixture, and gently stir to combine and melt.
- Portion. Line a baking sheet with
parchment paper , and use a spoon or cookie scoop to dollop portions of the nut mixture onto the baking sheet. Leave space in between each cluster! Sprinkle sea salt on top of each caramel pecan cluster, and place a single pecan on top. - Cool. Allow the candy to cool and harden at room temperature. Or, speed up the process, and transfer the pecan caramel clusters to the fridge!
Flavor Variations
- Swap the Nuts. Use cashews, almonds, or peanuts instead.
- Add Fruit. Stir in dried raisins, cranberries, or even blueberries.
- Make it Extra Crunchy. Gently fold in potato chips or pretzels for a sweet and salty flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Salt. Sprinkle a little flaky salt on top for another sweet/salty option.
- Marshmallows. Press mini marshmallows into the chocolate while it’s still warm.
Do I Need to Toast the Pecans?
No, but you can if you want to! It’s a great way to add a slightly smoky depth to the flavor of the caramel pecan clusters.
How to Store
- Store: Once cooled and set, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- Freeze: Wrap each pecan cluster with plastic wrap, place them in a resealable bag, and store them in the freezer for up to six months. Enjoy them frozen, or let them thaw in the fridge overnight!
Common Questions about this Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cluster Recipe
Yes, you can! Milk chocolate works just as well as dark chocolate for pecan clusters—it just gives you a sweeter, creamier flavor. If you love that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth taste, milk chocolate is a great choice.
Dark chocolate, on the other hand, adds a richer, more balanced contrast to the caramelized pecans. Either way, you’ll end up with perfectly irresistible clusters—it all depends on how sweet you like them!
Chocolate pecan clusters usually take about 30–45 minutes to set at room temperature, depending on how warm your kitchen is. If you’re in a hurry, you can pop them in the fridge for about 15–20 minutes to speed things up. Just make sure they’re completely firm before storing or stacking—this helps them keep that glossy finish and satisfying snap when you bite into them!
Toasting the pecans isn’t required—but you can! Warming them up in the oven for just a few minutes brings out their natural oils, giving them a deeper, nuttier flavor and an irresistible crunch. If you have the time, try it! Just spread them out on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for about 6–8 minutes, or until they smell warm and fragrant.
We love the hands-off method of making them in a slow cooker, but a microwave version works, too. Just melt your caramel candies with a splash of cream or milk in 20–30 second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Then spoon the caramel over small piles of pecans and let it set slightly before drizzling or coating with melted chocolate. You’ll get all that gooey, crunchy goodness—no stovetop needed!
More Easy Dessert Recipes
Looking for more desserts that are a breeze to make? You came to the right place!
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Hazelnut Chocolate Crock Pot Candy
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Slow Cooker Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters
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Ingredients
- 2 cups pecans
- 20 ounces chocolate almond bark
- 20 ounces white chocolate almond bark
- 1 cup of melting dark chocolate wafers like Ghirardelli
- 1 (11 ounce) bag caramel bits
- Sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Add the pecans to the bottom of the slow cooker.2 cups pecans
- Break the chocolate almond bark and white chocolate almond bark into smaller pieces, and place them over the pecans in the slow cooker.20 ounces chocolate almond bark, 20 ounces white chocolate almond bark
- Sprinkle the melting dark chocolate wafers evenly over the chocolate and pecan layers.1 cup of melting dark chocolate wafers
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid, and set it to low heat. Allow the ingredients to melt, stirring occasionally for approximately 1 hour or until everything is fully melted and combined.
- Once melted, add the caramel bits evenly across the melted layers in the slow cooker. Gently stir the mixture to thoroughly combine all the ingredients.1 (11 ounce) bag caramel bits
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart. Sprinkle sea salt over the candy clusters a long with a pecan on top.Sea salt for garnish
- Let the candy clusters cool and set at room temperature. For a quicker setting process, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I think it’s unfortunate that recipe request have to be downloaded and just not printed. It is such a pain.
Hi Mary!
You can search any recipe on our site and print using the “Print” button.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I made this today and while they taste good, the recipe made WAY more than 24. I started using a small cookie scoop and put them in candy cups and after getting 48 of that size, which I thought were perfect, I changed to a bigger size and got another 24 that were pretty big.
Thank you for the feedback, Cathy! We appreciate it and are glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
.Please put a cup-towel (tea towel) under the lid of the slow cooker before turning it on. If the underside of the lid gets any moisture on it and that moisture (even 1 drop) will cause the chocolate and vanilla bark to seize up and ruin the entire batch of candy.
Such a great tip! Thanks, Patricia. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Edit from last comment
NB :Preferably not in slow cooker
Yes! We recommend just melting it instead to avoid burning.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi, with regard the almond bark+white bark
would it be ok to use
🔸good quality white chocolate (organic green & blacks Europe
🔸Lindt 70%dark or milk chocolate
Hi Mairi!
You can substitute the bark, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I love it and I love you ☺️😋❤️
Thank you, José!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Love all your great recipes
Thank you so much, Georgeanne!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
How do we store these delectable clusters?
Store them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 weeks!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Neighbor gave these treats to us. They were amazing and I normally don’t like nuts in food.
We’re so glad you enjoyed them, Brian!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi, I’m making this now, I could only find caramel flavored chocolate chips, do you think cut up salted caramels would work?
Thank you
Hi Kelly! That should be fine!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Do you break up the pecans in the crockpot or leave them whole?
We leave them whole, but you could break them up if preferred!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi, you say you use semi-sweet chocolate almond bark and white chocolate almond bark. But I can’t find those anywhere, it is just chocolate or vanilla. Can I use a baking bar? Or what kind do you use? Thank you. 🙂
Hi! Yes, any chocolate/vanilla almond bark can be used. We recommend using melting wafers if you can’t find almond bark. Any brand will taste great!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
want to make this! is “white chocolate almond bark” the same as “vanilla almond bark”? what brand of almond bark do you recommend?car
Yes! Any brand you have will taste great. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
The ingredients list 2 cups of pecans which are all put into the slow cooker. How much do we need for finishing (garnish)? In other words, how much will this recipe make? Have you ever toasted the pecans?
Hi Donna! You can include as many or as little as you’d like for garnish. We typically use one nut on top of each cluster. This recipe is great with toasted pecans!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This looks delicious but I don’t have a slow cooker. What can I do instead? Thank you,
Hmmm you could melt the chocolate in the microwave instead and combine the ingredients in a bowl!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Do you let the caramel bits melt completely in the crockpot? Or do you want some pieces of caramel in the finished product?
It’s up to you! We like to leave some of the bits unmelted. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa