These Caramel Apple Pecan Clusters are ridiculously easy to make and even easier to devour. They're the perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy—a delightful explosion of flavors and textures in every bite! Seriously, you'll be hooked!
I came up with this recipe on a whim, while trying to use up some leftover apples. Let's be honest, sometimes I'm more inspired by what's in my fridge than anything else! I love how this recipe turned out—it’s become a favorite at all of our family gatherings. I think you'll love how easy it is to prepare this incredible sweet treat!
The most important thing about making these clusters is to make sure you let the caramel cool completely before serving or storing them. If you try to handle them while they're still warm, they'll be sticky and very difficult to work with. This is important because of the natural oils in the apples and pecans, but also because that's just the way that caramel is.
Required Equipments
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers
Caramel Apple Pecan Clusters: Frequently Asked Questions
Caramel Apple Pecan Clusters
These easy-to-make Caramel Apple Pecan Clusters are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. With a delightful mix of textures and flavors, they're sure to become a new favorite!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; this will make cleanup super easy, trust me. I learned that the hard way...
- In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, 1/4 cup of butter, and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Careful now, it'll be hot!
- Once melted, remove from the microwave and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. This will enhance the flavor and balance out the sweetness.
- Meanwhile, prepare your apples and pecans. Core and chop 2 medium apples into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop 1 cup of pecans. I like to leave them a little chunky; it adds a nice texture.
- Add the chopped apples and pecans to the warm caramel mixture. Gently stir until all the pieces are evenly coated. This is where a rubber spatula really comes in handy!
- Using a spoon or a cookie scoop (whichever you prefer!), drop rounded spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each cluster to prevent sticking. It helps to use a toothpick to slightly flatten each cluster and ensure even baking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the clusters are golden brown and the caramel is set. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. Mine almost did once...oops!
- Let the clusters cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important, otherwise they'll stick and become a big, gooey mess!
- Once completely cooled, store the clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy your delicious homemade caramel apple pecan clusters!
📝 Notes
- Make sure your apples and pecans are completely dry before adding them to the caramel to prevent the caramel from seizing up. Sometimes I even use a paper towel to pat them dry after washing them.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 250 kcal
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Calcium: 20 mg
