Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters

Do you need a last-minute gift tonight? It’s Christmas Eve, and you suddenly realize that a friend or relative is coming by with a gift, or you’re going somewhere where said friend or relative will be, bearing gifts for you, but you don’t have one for them. Am I right? These Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters can be made in less than 30 minutes, a perfect and delicious, last-minute gift!

But, before I get to them, a quick, Christmas Eve rambling is in order. Of course you can scroll right to the recipe, though.  I think I need some kind of ‘jump to the recipe’ button since I tend to ramble a lot.

This morning I swore I wasn’t going to put this post up because the photos turned out awful.  These butter pecan white chocolate crunch clusters do not mesh well with artificial light. But then I thought ‘This candy is so darn good, why would I hold back over photos?”

These are normal thoughts if you have a food blog, and completely justified since photos are the most important aspect of a food blog. You first eat with your eyes. This is why I groan so much about not having natural light. One more time...everyone has an abundance of natural light, whyyy not meeee? :/

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

Remember the filling for my Butter Pecan Thumbprint cookies? Well, of course you do, since it was my last post…from like 5 days ago.

As of late, I’ve been posting like I’ve never posted before, meaning, more than once or twice a month.

I’m a maniac, maniac …on my blog.

OK, I don’t care how old you are, you have to have seen or heard of Flashdance and/or heard the song Maniac, so I’m going to safely assume everyone gets that.

Anyway, I’m posting a lot, for me. Usually I’m lucky to get a post up every two weeks; so, because of this, I’m straining to think of what to write. Well, it’s not only because of my maniac posting, it also has a lot to do with things changing around here and not flowing because of it, which has led to me writing self-consciously on and off for the past 6 months or so.

It sucks.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

I miss being excited to write, my brain rife with thoughts and musings that would pour easily from my fingertips. I used to literally ‘check out’ as I was writing, having to snap out of these zones and back into the present when I was finished.

Because of the above..I’m going to do something a little different, and then tell you about these easy and delicious butter pecan white chocolate crunch clusters. You know how some bloggers choose one day of the week to write about stuff they love, sometimes with links? Well, I’m going to do a quick list of things that bugged or annoyed me the past week, minus links.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

Bah Humbug? Nooo, I just felt like venting, and it’s all trivial, surface stuff.

And, no, this will not be a regular thing on my blog.

1.  I ordered two stuffed artichokes from a very reputable and amazing Italian Emporium. They were kind of pricey, but I knew they were going to be good, and they were..until I got half-way through the stuffing in the center. With one deep forkful, my mouth was full of prickly, dry bristles. Yep, they left the choke in. The stuffing was ruined and I had to rinse the heart (the best part) off, after I pulled out the remaining choke, not to mention my mouth out..like 20 times. It was a mess and a major disappointment. Even after alerting them to this, they continue to leave the choke in.

I imagine a disgruntled employee, with a pornstache and stained white apron, who hates his job so much that he takes pleasure in leaving the choke in.

“Oh, yes, (rubbing his hands together with glee) it looks and smells deeeelicious, but just wait until they get to the choke! The artichoke and exquisite stuffing will be ruined…RUINED! Mwhahaha!”

I haven’t made stuffed artichokes in a few years, but I have a fantastic recipe from Biba Caggiano that’s more than worth the time it takes to scrape out the choke before stuffing it. Am I right?  Sayonara, Nameless Italian Emporium.

2. Nice restaurants should not have microwaves. We ordered out a side of what usually are amazing meatballs from an Italian restaurant we frequent often, and we got rubber balls. It took every ounce of strength I had to tear them apart to eat, but in the end, they were completely inedible. I had to bounce one just to see, and it bounced! Well..just a little bounce, but it bounced! Reheating meatballs in the microwave when someone phones in take-out. No, just…NO.

3. I have an ear infection in my right ear. I’m a rightie so I hold my phone to my right ear since the left is uncomfortable. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve screeched, “Whaaaaa?” or “Hehhh?” the past week, I could buy a side of rubber meatballs.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

So, these butter pecan white chocolate crunch clusters.

When I made my butter pecan thumbprint cookies, the white chocolate feuilletine filling was a test. Because of this, I ended up melting 1 pound of white chocolate. Once the two dozen cookies were filled, I had a ton left.  Then it hit me, I’ve got crunchy white chocolate and a good amount of butter pecans left in the freezer, not only from the cookies, but from this luscious stuffing I made back in November. DING DING DING! Chopped buttered, toasted pecans dumped into remaining white chocolate feuilletine and spooned onto a baking sheet to set = awesome candy.

Now, the amounts are estimated since you go by the texture and thickness when you add the feuilletine (or corn flakes or crushed sugar cones) to the white chocolate (you can use dark, milk, or any kind of chocolate you prefer), but in the double photo collage above, you can see how it should look before you spoon it onto the baking sheet in rustic clumps. Granted, you can use less feuilletine (or crushed corn flakes or crushed sugar cones) and let the chocolate dominate, but they won’t be as lumpy and rustic. No matter since they will taste just as delicious, albeit a little sweeter.

In other words..this recipe is easily altered to suit your preferences.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

The hardest part about these white chocolate butter pecan crunch clusters is melting the chocolate, and how hard is that? Oh, the butter pecan part, you need to make those too, but toast them while you’re melting the chocolate!  Still 30 minutes or less total. And, you can make the buttered pecans (my guy calls it ‘the butter pecan part’) ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them, so even more time off the clock!

4 ingredients, 30 minutes or less of your time. You can make these tomorrow morning for gifts to friends and/or relatives who stop by, or you go to visit.  OR, we all end up exchanging gifts in the days following Christmas, at least once; so again, you need quick and easy last-minute gift? These butter pecan white chocolate crunch clusters are the candy for you!

One more time.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters

I really like the sound of that!

UPDATE: A reader informed me that she made these with coconut and macadmia nuts instead of the pecans, for white chocolate coconut macadmia clusters that were a huge hit! I love to hear from readers who put their own spin on my recipes!

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: About 1 dozen, depending on the size you make them.
 
ingredients:
  • 1 pound good quality white chocolate
  • 1½ to 2 cups feuilletine or crushed corn flakes or rice krispies or crushed sugar cones
  • 1½ cups chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
directions:
  1. Prepare buttered pecans. Stir together chopped pecans and ¼ cup melted butter. Spread in an even layer on a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake at 350° for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring them around once half way through. until pecans are toasted (you’ll be able to smell them). Keep checking and stirring so they don't burn. Remove from oven, and let cool.
    Alternatively, In a pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add pecans and cook until toasted and fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes. Spread across sheet of foil or parchment to cool.
  2. Melt the white chocolate in a bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, stopping and stirring every minute so it doesn't burn.*
  3. Stir in feuilletine or crushed corn flakes and buttered pecans.
  4. Using a spoon, drop mixture in rustic clusters onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Let set in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Package up for gifts or just serve and enjoy!
notes:
* For shinier, prettier clusters that don't melt as fast in your hands, temper the white chocolate first.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters - 3 Ingredients - 30 minutes or less!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters

Now I”m going to go lick my bowl of candy cane frosting clean.

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39 Responses to Butter Pecan White Chocolate Crunch Clusters

  1. Mmmmm, looks so so good Lisa! I hate when the pictures of the final product make me not want to post about something, but these pics look great and I’m glad you shared this recipe. Merry Christmas! xo

  2. Rosa Mayland says:

    Lovely cookies¨very tempting.

    Merry Christmas!

    Cheers,

    Rosa xo

  3. Winnie says:

    I used to make something very similar with my Mom when I was a kid (from a children-cook-book). But these look much better!
    White chocolate is my favorite and of-course with buttered-pecan = perfect.
    I just have to make these.
    Thanks!
    Have a wonderful holiday 🙂

  4. If I held back posts because of bad photos…my blog would be pretty sparse! And vent away…those things would not make me happy, especially that artichoke…Merry Christmas….hope you get a day off….

  5. jamielifesafeast says:

    These look sooo good! And what I love about them is that you could change the flavors, ingredients to personalize them. What a great gift! I also think your rants are right on target! Calling something like truffles 2-ingredient or vegetarian or whatever – I hate when people do this to grab traffic. And the meatballs??? Wowee! And poor baby I hope you followed my advice and went to see the doctor about that ear!!! xoxo

  6. My husband buys something very similar for a candy shop,the kids go for a milk chocolate/cornflakes and almonds blend. I can’t wait to try making it at home
    I am glad you decided to post this Lisa and I am sorry to hear about your ear. Ear infections are no fun. I hope yours heals soon
    Wishing you a happy and wonderful new year

  7. Yaaay! Another feuilletine recipe! I am addicted to that crunch. And rest assured I know about Flashdance and the Maniac dance-what 80s memories that are easily revived! I hope you had a wonderful holidays and I hope that the ear gets better soon! 😀

  8. Sammie says:

    omg omg omg! So many things I can relate to about this post Liz!! yeah I totally agree with you. I probably have twice the number of drafts as I do of published posts! Sometimes I aim to make a certain recipe and then because my pictures turn out like poooop, I feel like scrapping the entire thing. haha.. Other times I just post it anyway! But I’m glad you posted this up anyway! Cos… chocolate.. butter and pecan…. you can never go wrong with that!! It’s hard to write more often than once a week when you got so much on your hands! I really gotta give you props for being so on top of blogging dear!! Anyway, I wish you a merry merry x’mas and a very happy new year!! Take care!! 🙂 Hopefully your ear infection heals asap!!

  9. Tova says:

    What a great candy, thanks for sharing! I’m going to make them this weekend! Happy New Year!

  10. Haha, I know its not your normal writing style, but you seriously had me laughing!!

  11. Dan says:

    Great looking clusters and photos too. I would appreciate if you start venting and ranting more often it was hilarious and right on point. I trust your ear is better now – Whaaattttt? I can’t hear you!!!

  12. Serious creeping crud and then whammo… the ear infection and fullness. I know the perfect solution. Buy one ticket to the tropics and bask in the sun for about a week and you will be good as new. Or maybe just do more baking and that will keep your mind off the pain and keep us all hungry for your treats. I love these little crunchy sweet bombs. Take care of yourself.

  13. Daniela says:

    These Chocolate Butter Pecan Crunch Clusters look so pretty and I’m sure they taste amazing too!

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  15. Wendy says:

    Yum! I love butter pecan anything!

  16. Lora @cakeduchess says:

    After reading this fun post, I remember why I fell in love with your blog oh, so long ago. I hope you do keep posting and sharing more often. Please do b/c I love all you create. These clusters could be very dangerous for me…just love them.

  17. White chocolate and walnuts are two top favourites of my husband. He will for sure love these gorgeous babies.
    Once again, wishing you & your family a very happy & healthy new year, Lisa!

  18. Oops, I meant ‘pecans’ 😉 walnuts are my favourite. Do you think it will work with some rice crisp too?

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you, Angie! Yes, rice krispies will work well too! Try crushed sugar cones too..as that’s closer (in taste) to feuilletine than both corn flakes and rice krispies. BUT, if you just want that crunch..either cereal is fine.

  19. Liz says:

    Oh, gosh, I could just eat this mixture out of the bowl…it could be very, very dangerous around here 🙂 Yikes…you have some legitimate gripes! Hope the New Year brings you choke free artichokes, tender meatballs and pain free ears. xo

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  21. Vanessa says:

    I made these yesterday and they were gone in a heartbeat! Thank you and love your blog!

  22. Paula says:

    When can we expect part 19? Love the candy!

  23. Stephanie says:

    Merry belated Christmas! Happy new year!! I hope your ear infection has been fully healed. =)

  24. junglefrog says:

    Every one is allowed to vent every now and then! Haha. Wishing you a fabulous 2013!!

  25. Susan says:

    These look terrific! I’m going to try them with bittersweet chocolate and a white chocolate drizzle!

  26. These look amazing, and it’s even better that they’re so easy to make. Always looking for new ways to use white chocolate.

  27. Sheena says:

    Omg these look amazing!! I want to make these.

  28. Sophie33 says:

    Waw! Lovely & tasty treats! I also love home-made gooides to give to my guests & friends! 🙂 Yummm!

    I wish you a happy 2013 filled with tons of laughter, really good food & great adeventures too!

  29. Great to make for yourself also when you have a craving for crunchy and sweet! Bet they’d be good w/cranberries too…then they’d be crunchy, chewy and sweet! 🙂

  30. Dinavia says:

    Hi Lisa, just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year! I guess all that candy is gone by now, huh? ;>)

  31. John says:

    As a pastry chef I’m quite familiar with feuilletine. We get it in bulk at our restairant. Using it in chocolate candy is a marvelous idea!

  32. Liz says:

    THANKS for all the help with my zebra-ish cake. I’m thinking it has to be the butter…so either I’ll have to melt it next time or use oil. I’m certain I can make it worth, but I think my family is ready for a new dessert option…LOL.

  33. So late and catching up on comments! Great rants! I have lost my lust for posting a bit too. But I have so many already made and photographed pics. Nice quick cluster 🙂

  34. I think I might need to make these for Valentine’s Day! I am so behind with the comments, but better late than never, right? 🙂

  35. Betty Cox says:

    I think they are absolutely perfecto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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