Chocolate Maple Pecan Clusters (No-Bake)
Make a batch of these no-bake chocolate maple pecan clusters to enjoy a gourmet treat at home – not just during the festive season. Portioned into bite-sized clusters, these candied pecans are naturally gluten-free and make a delicious dessert, snack, or edible gift.
These candied pecan clusters make a great addition to your Christmas cookie collection due to their long shelf life. Packaged in a clear mason jar with a festive bow, these pecan clusters make a beautiful, edible gift as these clusters store well for up to 3 weeks.
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Chocolate Maple Pecan Clusters
Maple candied pecans are formed into clusters and covered with a milk chocolate drizzle. An easy but gourmet sweet treat!
Ingredients
- 2 cup pecans
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a small pan, toast the pecans on the stovetop on medium heat. Spread out the raw pecans evenly and toss them every 10 seconds to prevent them from burning. Remove pecans from the pan once they darken slightly which takes about 2-3 minutes.2 cup pecans
- Add the maple syrup and coconut oil to the pan on high heat until it starts to crystallize which happens at 235F (110F). Remove the pan from the heat immediately and add your toasted pecans, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly.1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt, 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Scoop the mixture onto the lined baking tray into 16 bite-sized clusters.
- Melt the chocolate either in the microwave in small intervals or by using the double boiler method. Make sure to stir it regularly to avoid it from burning. Now drizzle the melted chocolate over the candied pecans with a tablespoon.1 cup milk chocolate chips
- Let the pecan clusters cool down and set for 1 hour at room temperature to make sure they're fully set. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Let the candied clusters cool fully to ensure they stick together before transferring them into storage containers. They can be stored in an airtight container for one week at room temperature or in the fridge for 3 weeks.
Nutrition
Calories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 0.3mg
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Pecans – You’ll need shelled, unsalted, raw pecans for this recipe. Don’t worry if they break during roasting as they’ll set in clusters.
- Maple syrup – The maple flavor works well with pecans and adds rich sweetness. You can use agave syrup or honey as well.
- Coconut oil – The oil helps combine the nuts. You can also use butter.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon adds warmth to this sweet snack. Use pumpkin spice or chai spice instead for extra warming flavors.
- Salt – A pinch of sea salt rounds out the flavors. Add more if you prefer a sweet/salty taste.
- Chocolate – Milk chocolate drops are used in this recipe but you can also use dark or white chocolate.
My top 3 nut cluster tips
- Mix it up: You can use any nuts you like. Walnuts, macadamias, almonds, or cashews make delicious clusters too.
- Thermometer: Use a candy or cooking thermometer to keep an eye on the maple syrup temperature.
- Dried fruit: Add some dried fruit to create a trail-like treat. Dried cranberries, raisins, dates, or apricots all make tasty additions.