Caramel Nut Cluster

My Caramel Nut Cluster are the perfect gift for the holidays when you want to give something sentimental and delicious! Enjoy a few for yourself too

When I was a little girl we would go to my grandparents apartment and if we were really lucky there would be a box of Turtles (Christmas time). I remember vividly, eating a turtle with peanuts and thinking it was the best thing I’d ever had in my whole young life. I remember some time later having one with pecans and my young tastebuds didn’t love the pecans. Well my big girl taste buds wanted to create a healthy version with BOTH. Don’t know about you but my favourite chocolate is always the nut cluster. I am a huge fan of the sweet and salty combo and these hit all the notes.

These healthy turtles are pure heaven and would make for a lovely addition to your Christmas cookie box🎄

I finish these with good flaky sea salt. It is optional but I wouldn’t skip this step. The salt makes the chocolate pop.

These little babies take me right back to the fond memories of my grandparents’ little cigarette smoke filled apartment only better. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Caramel Nut Cluster

Teri-Ann Carty

My Caramel Nut Cluster are the perfect gift for the holidays when you want to give something sentimental and delicious! Enjoy a few for yourself too

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Course Desserts & Sweets, Holiday & Special Occasions

Equipment

oven
blender

Ingredients

18 medjool dates
3 tbsp peanut butter
2-3 tbsp cashew milk
1 tsp vanilla
pinch sea salt
⅓ cup roasted peanuts
1 cup roasted pecans
1¼ cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut oil
maldon sea salt

Instructions

Take pits out of dates and place in hot water for 10-15 minutes to soften. Place dates in the bowl of a food processor with peanut butter, 1 tbsp of cashew milk, vanilla and sea salt. Pulse to get them moving and then turn on high. Scrape down sides as needed. If the mixture is too thick add 1-2 tbsp more cashew milk. you don’t want the mixture to be too thin or it will be hard to work with.
Scrape caramel into a bowl and place in the fridge to harden, take approximately 15-30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments. Add in coconut oil to thin chocolate out. Set aside. If chocolate becomes too thick, add more coconut oil.
Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Using 2 tablespoons, scoop out a blob of caramel and place on a cookie sheet. Stick the nuts into caramel. I used about 3 pecans and 3-4 peanuts per cluster. Place back in the freezer for a few minutes to allow date caramel to stiffen up again.
Once the caramel is ready to be coated, use a fork to dip the candy (so the bottom gets coated) and a spoon to scoop chocolate on top. It's ok if you miss some spots! It's nice to see some of the nuts poking out.

Keyword cluster, dairy free, gluten free, plant based, vegan

2 Responses

Ellen Hoffman says:

December 11, 2023 at 6:21 pm

I have a cashew allergy in my family. What would you use as a substitute?

Reply
1. Teri-Ann Carty says:
  
  December 14, 2023 at 4:55 pm
  
  Hello Ellen – any other nut will do!
  
  Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply