Delicious Milk Chocolate Caramel Pecans

Featured in: Desserts

These homemade treats mix softened caramels with crunchy toasted pecans, bathed in milk chocolate and topped with sea salt. They're a decadent, fancy sweet that works great as holiday presents.
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Sun, 20 Apr 2025 17:42:38 GMT
A plate of chocolate candies with pecans on top and sea salt sprinkles, with one candy cut open showing the gooey center. Pin it
A plate of chocolate candies with pecans on top and sea salt sprinkles, with one candy cut open showing the gooey center. | twistytaste.com

I've gotta tell you about my go-to holiday sweet that always wows everyone. These Homemade Millionaire Treats pack a punch with gooey caramel, crunchy pecans and velvety chocolate in every delicious morsel. They've been my signature gift for ages and never miss bringing happiness to family gatherings.

Why These Stand Out From The Crowd

What's amazing is how just three basic ingredients turn into something truly wonderful. The mix of sticky caramel, crispy pecans and rich chocolate creates pure magic. And since we're using ready-made caramels, they're surprisingly easy to whip up—perfect for thoughtful holiday presents.

Let's Round Up What We Need

  • Caramel candies: They're our shortcut to success.
  • Whole milk: A splash makes the caramel perfectly creamy.
  • Pecans: Don't skip toasting them—it really enhances the flavor.
  • Flake sea salt: My little trick for that fancy finish.
  • Milk chocolate melting wafers: I swear by Ghirardelli for best taste.

Let's Work Some Kitchen Wonders

Prep Work
Good tray lining saves so much trouble down the road.
Melt The Caramel
There's something soothing about watching caramel soften and swirl.
Mix In The Crunch
Throwing in pecans and salt brings everything to life.
Form With Care
Using a scoop gives you identical portions every single time.
Chocolate Dipping
Take your time melting the chocolate—patience pays off.
Finishing Flourish
That tiny sprinkle of salt on top makes them look store-bought fancy.

Storing Your Treats

These goodies stay fresh for about two weeks when kept in a sealed container with parchment between layers. They're great to make before holiday craziness hits full swing.

Put Your Own Spin On Them

I sometimes switch to dark chocolate for a fancier taste or toss in some dried cranberries for holiday color. You can try so many different tweaks and they all turn out amazing.

Common Questions Cleared Up

You can totally swap in dark chocolate if that's more your thing and any decent quality chocolate works great. They also freeze really well—just let them warm up naturally before you serve them.

Holiday Memory Makers

Creating these sweets has become one of my favorite holiday rituals. There's something truly special about crafting these little gems that bring such happiness to everyone who bites into one.

Deep Southern Tradition

The rich background of this candy adds to its charm. While making them, I can't help thinking about all the Southern families who've enjoyed these delights across many years.

Finding Peace In The Process

Nothing beats turning on Christmas tunes and getting lost in making these candies. It's such a relaxing afternoon activity and the results are completely worth your time.

Gifts From The Heart

These treats make stunning presents. I love putting them in cute boxes or tins—they always get such happy reactions from teachers, folks next door and pals. Nothing beats giving something you made yourself.

Great Treat Combinations

Whenever I put together holiday sweet plates, these candies always steal the show. They look fantastic next to other homemade goodies, creating a festive mix that's just right for parties or giving as gifts.

A close-up of chocolate-covered caramel candies, one cut in half to reveal the gooey filling, sprinkled with sea salt and topped with pecans. Pin it
A close-up of chocolate-covered caramel candies, one cut in half to reveal the gooey filling, sprinkled with sea salt and topped with pecans. | twistytaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the point of using a double boiler?
A double boiler setup lets you melt stuff without direct flame contact. This stops your chocolate and caramel from getting burnt or turning grainy. You'll end up with perfectly smooth melted ingredients.
→ Should I really toast the pecans first?
Yes. Toasting brings out the nuts' flavor and gives them a nice crunch that works really well against the soft caramel and smooth chocolate outer layer.
→ What's the best way to keep these sweets fresh?
Put the sweets between sheets of wax or parchment paper in a sealed container. They'll stay good for about two weeks at room temp. No need to put them in the fridge.
→ Why do we need to add milk to the caramels?
The milk thins out the caramel just enough to make it easier to handle. It'll still be thick enough to form into little mounds without getting runny.
→ Can I swap out the chocolate type?
Ghirardelli melting wafers work really well because they melt smoothly and set nicely. You can use other good melting chocolates too. Just don't use regular chocolate chips as they've got additives that mess with melting.

Conclusion

These homemade treats mix softened caramels with crunchy toasted pecans, bathed in milk chocolate and topped with sea salt. They're a decadent, fancy sweet that works great as holiday presents.

Milk Chocolate Caramel Pecans

Traditional gooey caramel with crunchy toasted pecans covered in silky milk chocolate, making a luxurious handcrafted sweet that's wonderful for presents.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (30 candies)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 55 soft caramel squares (roughly two 11-ounce packages).
02 1 tablespoon regular milk.
03 2 cups chopped, toasted pecans.
04 Small amount of flaky sea salt, extra for topping.
05 2 cups Ghirardelli milk chocolate melting discs.

Instructions

Step 01

Get two baking sheets ready with parchment paper and give them a light spray with cooking oil.

Step 02

Put a bowl over gently bubbling water. Combine caramels with milk, mixing often for around 10 minutes until completely melted.

Step 03

Take off heat, mix in the pecans and salt. Scoop tablespoon amounts onto your trays making about 30 clusters.

Step 04

With a fresh bowl over bubbling water, melt the chocolate discs, stirring constantly until they're fully smooth, taking 3-5 minutes.

Step 05

Use forks to coat caramel clusters in the melted chocolate. Return to parchment, add salt on top if you want. Cool in fridge for 10-15 minutes until they're set.

Notes

  1. They'll stay good for 2 weeks at room temp.
  2. Put wax paper between layers when storing.
  3. You'll end up with around 30 treats.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heatproof bowl or double boiler.
  • Baking sheets.
  • Parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Nuts.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 365
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 47 g
  • Protein: 3 g