Pecan caramel clusters

 
                           PECAN CARAMEL CLUSTERS
 
 Recipe By     : 
 Serving Size  : 12   Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Candies                          Chocolate
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1       c            Cream -- Light
    1       c            Sugar
      1/2   c            Light Corn Syrup -- Karo
      1/4   ts           Salt
    3       tb           Butter Or Regular Margarine
      1/2   ts           Vanilla
    2 1/2   c            Pecans -- Chopped
    6       oz           Chocolate Chips -- Semi-Sweet
 
   Heat the light cream in a heavy 2-quart saucepan to
   lukewarm (110 degrees F.).  Reserve 1/2 c cream and
   set it aside.  Add the sugar, corn syrup and salt to
   the remaining 1/2 cup of cream in the saucepan.  Cook
   over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the
   mixture boils.  Slow stir in the reserved cream.
   Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.  Stir in the
   butter, 1 tsp at a time, stirring constantly.  Cook
   over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture
   reaches the soft ball stage, (234 Degrees F.) on the
   candy thermometer.  Remove from the heat and stir in
   the vanilla. Arrange the pecans on a waxed-paper lined
   baking sheet. Drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto
   the pecans.  As the clusters cool, remove with a metal
   spatula to another waxed-paper lined baking sheet.
   Push the remaining pecans together and repeat until
   all of the candy mixture is used. If the mixture
   becomes too thick, heat over low heat.  Melt the
   chocolate chips over hot water and stir until smooth.
   Spread on the top of each pecan cluster.  Let stand
   until the chocolate is set and store the candies in a
   cool place.
   
   Makes about 4 dozen.
  
 
 
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