Rustic Maple Pecan Praline Clusters
If you’ve ever wanted to make candy that looks impressive but feels totally doable, these maple pecan praline clusters are your new holiday go-to. Think of the classic Southern praline — sweet, buttery, nutty — but with a slow cooker shortcut and a hint of maple for extra warmth.
The process couldn’t be simpler: melt soft caramels and white chocolate in your crockpot, stir in roasted pecans and a splash of maple syrup, then scoop into clusters. The candy sets into little nuggets of chewy, crunchy perfection with that irresistible sweet-salty balance. A sprinkle of smoked sea salt on top takes them over the edge.
They package beautifully in kraft bags or rustic jars, making them the perfect farmhouse-style gift. Even better, they hold up at room temperature, so they’re just as practical as they are delicious. One bite, and you’ll feel like a candy-making pro — even if this is your first batch.
Sweet, Buttery, Nutty Flavor
The combo of melted caramel, maple, and pecans gives a rich, cozy flavor that feels straight out of a Southern kitchen.
Chewy Meets Crunchy
The texture is part of the magic — soft, chewy caramel wrapped around crunchy pecans, with a silky white chocolate coating holding it all together.
Slow Cooker Candy Shortcut
No candy thermometer, no tricky timing — just melt, stir, and scoop. The slow cooker keeps things easy and stress-free.
Perfect for Gifting
Pack them in kraft bags with rustic labels or tuck them into holiday tins. They look thoughtful and homemade but taste like gourmet candy.
Sweet-Salty Upgrade
A light sprinkle of smoked sea salt balances the sweetness and adds an unexpected, crave-worthy finish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted pecans
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 (11 oz) bag soft caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Smoked sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Place white chocolate chips and caramels in your slow cooker. Heat on low, stirring occasionally, until smooth and melted (about 1 hour).
- Stir in maple syrup and pecans until fully coated.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with smoked sea salt if desired.
- Let clusters cool and set at room temperature until firm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (melting)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: ~24 clusters
- Calories: ~180
- Fat: 11g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Estimated Cost: ~$7.25 total / about $0.30 per cluster
