Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Clusters

Ingredients

• 1 cup pecan halves (3 1/4 ounces)
• 12 soft caramel candy cubes
• 1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• broken into 12 pieces (1/2 inch each)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Arrange the pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven (leave the oven on); set aside 36 pecans on the baking sheet.
4. Finely chop the remaining pecans (for about 1/4 cup); set aside.
5. When the pecans are cool enough to handle, make 12 clusters by arranging 2 pecans vertically, side by side, below 1 pecan placed horizontally.
6. Gently flatten each caramel; place 1 on top of each cluster.
7. Bake the clusters 5 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven (leave the oven on).
9. Place 1 piece of chocolate on top of each cluster.
10. Return to the oven; bake until the chocolate begins to melt, 1 to 2 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven.
12. With the back of a spoon, gently spread the chocolate over the caramel without completely covering it.
13. Sprinkle the clusters with the reserved chopped pecans.
14. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.
15. Bring to room temperature before serving.