Cashew Caramel Chocolate Turtle Clusters

It’s summer, it’s hot, and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven or stove to satisfy your sweet tooth! These Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters are seriously easy, require just a few ingredients, are made in the microwave, and are a great kid-friendly candy–in short, these should be your official snack all summer long!

Cashew Caramel Chocolate Turtle Clusters| From OhNuts.com
Typically, turtle candies are made with pecans, but this updated version swaps in cashews for a buttery, salty crunch. I like to top mine with a big pinch of flaked sea salt too, but if that’s not your thing, you can skip it or add some crushed nuts on top instead.

Cashew Caramel Chocolate Turtle Clusters| From OhNuts.com
There are few things more delicious than the combination of crunchy nuts, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate, and these little clusters have the perfect mix of all three! So go ahead, make a batch, watch them disappear…and then make more! Here’s what you’ll need to make all your gooey caramel dreams come true:

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters
yield: 16 clusters

Ingredients

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com

Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the cashews in 16 clusters on the baking sheet. You don’t have to be too precise–these clusters are meant to be imperfect, so just pile them in a mound, mostly a single layer, and don’t worry about it too much.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Unwrap the caramels and place them in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Resist the urge to eat more than one…okay, have two…but no more than three.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Add a tablespoon of cream to the bowl of caramels. You might end up using more than 1 tablespoon, but start with just a bit in case your caramels are extra-soft already.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com

Microwave the caramels in 15-second increments, stirring after every 15 seconds, until they’re melted and smooth. At first they will resist melting, but as you continue to heat and stir them, they’ll smooth out into a thick sauce. The texture will depend on the caramels you use, so if it seems too thick to easily scoop out, add a bit more cream and stir until you have a workable texture. It should flow slowly from the spoon when you scoop it up from the bowl.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Drop a scoop of caramel on top of each cashew cluster. It’s okay if it doesn’t cover all the nuts right away—it should ooze down and spread over them eventually.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Once all of the clusters are covered with caramel, lightly wet your fingertips and use them to press down on any caramel mounds that haven’t spread out, making an even layer on top of the cashews.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Refrigerate the tray while you prepare the chocolate wafers. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them in 30-second increments, stirring after every 30 seconds.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com
Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, place a spoonful of chocolate on top of a turtle cluster, and use the back of a spoon to spread it to the edge, finishing with a decorative swirl on top.

Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com

While the chocolate is still wet, finish the top of a cluster with a pinch of flaked sea salt. Repeat until all of the clusters are assembled. Return the tray to the refrigerator to set the chocolate, for about 15 minutes. For the best taste and texture, serve these clusters at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com

That’s all there is to it! You can get your kids in on the action too, and try variations with different nuts, dried fruit, and types of chocolate. As always, there’s an easily printable recipe and pin-able image down below. Enjoy!

Cashew Caramel Chocolate Turtle Clusters
 
Author:
Serves: 16
Ingredients
  • 8 oz (1¾ cups) roasted salted cashews
  • 14 oz soft caramels
  • 1-2 tbsp cream
  • 8 oz brown melting milk chocolate wafers
  • Flaked sea salt
Instructions
  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the cashews in 16 clusters on the baking sheet.
  2. Unwrap the caramels and place them in a medium bowl with 1 tbsp of cream. Microwave the caramels in 15-second increments, stirring after every 15 seconds, until they're melted and smooth. At first they will resist melting, but as you continue to heat and stir them, they'll smooth out into a thick sauce. The texture will depend on the caramels you use, so if it seems too thick to easily scoop out, add a bit more cream and stir until you have a workable texture.
  3. Drop a scoop of caramel on top of each cashew cluster. It's okay if it doesn't cover all the nuts right away—it should ooze down and spread over them eventually. Once all of the clusters are covered with caramel, lightly wet your fingertips and use them to press down on any caramel mounds that haven't spread out, making an even layer on top of the cashews.
  4. Refrigerate the tray while you prepare the chocolate wafers. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them in 30-second increments, stirring after every 30 seconds. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, place a spoonful of chocolate on top of a turtle cluster, and use the back of a spoon to spread it to the edge, finishing with a swirl on top. While the chocolate is still wet, finish the top of a cluster with a pinch of flaked sea salt. Repeat until all of the clusters are assembled.
  5. Return the tray to the refrigerator to set the chocolate, for about 15 minutes. For the best taste and texture, serve these clusters at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

How to Make Cashew Caramel Turtle Clusters | From OhNuts.com


All text and photos (c) Elizabeth LaBau

 

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