These easy Caramel Pecan Bites are not only simple to whip up, but they are delicious and will be the hit of your holiday cookie tray, for sure. Featuring homemade nougat, rich caramel, and toasted pecans. This recipe was first published as Pecan Log Truffles on Take Two Tapas. It has been reproduced with permission.
Caramel Pecan Bites
If I had known that nougat was this easy to make, there would’ve been a million nougat-based recipes on the site already because this stuff is amazing.
That should really be expected though. This comes from the tapas queen, herself.
If you like making a meal out of appetizers and treats, or know someone who does, you need to check out this site, share it with your friends, and you’ll never have to wonder what to make, ever again.
Try this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe too!
Freaky Friday Group
I got invited to participate in a fun tradition that a group of amazing bloggers started called, Freaky Friday. We all get assigned another website and get to pick a recipe from a theme to make, photograph, and share on our own site.
Not only is it a great way to get to know other bloggers and showcase their content to new audiences, but it is REALLY fun too. I can’t wait to see who got me and what they made!
Special thanks to Michaela from An Affair From the Heart for organizing and putting this together!
When I got assigned Take Two Tapas for my site I got to cook from, I was SO EXCITED. Not only am I a long-time fan of this site, but Jennifer is also one of my very favorite people.
I met Jennifer for the first time back in Charleston, at the very first Mediavine conference, and I knew immediately she was my people. I appreciate things like a well-timed zinger, snarky dry humor, and someone who loves to laugh.
She has that thing that people just love to be around because she’s just so REAL and genuine and fun to spend time with.
Just last year we got to spend some more time together at a blogger retreat in Omaha, where we ate and talked shop and went to crazy bars and sang ridiculous karaoke and generally caused trouble and had SUCH a good time. It was one of the highlights of my year last year, and the whole group of ladies there were just SO nice and welcoming!
Blogging is a crazy business sometimes, but I’ve never been so inspired collectively by a group of small business owners. Highly recommend getting connected with a great group of bloggers, especially if you are just starting out.
Take a look at all of our 2019 Freaky Friday Holiday Cookie Exchange Recipes:
- An Affair from the Heart – Funfetti Sugar Cookies
- Bowl Me Over – Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons
- Hostess at Heart –Pan Banging Homemade Sugar Cookie Recipe
- House of Nash Eats – Lime Meltaways
- Life Currents – Peanut Butter Coffee Cake
- Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Chocolate Cashew Candies
- Or Whatever You Do – Caramel Pecan Bites
- Take Two Tapas – Chocolate Fudge with Almonds and Coconut
- The Fresh Cooky – Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies
- The Speckled Palate – Shortbread Brown Butter Cookies
Is it difficult to make nougat?
I used to think nougat was basically a magic thing that only came from candy-bar factories. NOT TRUE.
Jennifer lays out a simple nougat process for you that doesn’t even require a thermometer.
Did you read that? Cause I’m not sure if I made it clear or not.
This is candy that you do not need to temp. HALLELUJAH.
That’s 99% why I don’t make much candy around here.
How to make nougat?
This nougat has only a few different ingredients in it, but some specific tools will make it easier on you later on.
What you need:
- Powdered sugar
- Dry milk powder
- Butter
- Corn syrup
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla
That’s it!
What you do:
- Mix together the powdered sugar and dry milk powder.
- Melt the butter in a pot.
- Add in the corn syrup & granulated sugar. Let melt over medium heat until it is simmering.
- Slowly mix in the powdered sugar mixture. Stir until combined.
- Stir in the powdered sugar / milk mixture.
- Let cool, and form into desired shapes.
The rest of these are just as easy as the first bit. I highly recommend popping over to Jennifer’s site for tips and tricks for success. They really came in handy for us while we made these delicious treats!
More Christmas Cookies to love!
If you are making holiday cookie platters, I highly recommend this caramel pecan bites recipe. If you need some more ideas to round things out, I’ve got them for you below.
From Or Whatever You Do:
- Snowball Cookies
- Browned Butter Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Browned Butter Soft Ginger Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Snickers Brownie Bites
From Take Two Tapas:
Caramel Pecan Bites
Easy homemade nougat is wrapped in melted caramel and toasted pecans!
Ingredients
NOUGAT
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter or cooking spray
CARAMEL COATING
- 14 ounces caramels
- 2 tablespoons water
PECAN COATING
Instructions
- Combine the powdered sugar and powdered milk in a bowl. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, and mix in the butter and white sugar. Stir in the corn syrup. Heat over medium heat.
- Once the mixture starts simmering, begin to slowly whisk in the powdered sugar and dried milk concoction. Stir until no more lumps are visible.
- Pour the nougat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool slightly until it is not too hot to touch.
- Roll the nougat into balls, and set aside.
- Melt the caramel with the water, and working in batches, roll in caramel and the nuts.
- Let set for about 30 minutes, and then serve!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 0gSugar: 38gProtein: 1g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.
G R
Thursday 27th of October 2022
Can I freeze these balls???
Nicole Johnson
Saturday 29th of October 2022
I haven't tried freezing them. Let me know how it goes if you do!
Donna
Tuesday 19th of October 2021
In the second paragraph of the method, you've written to melt butter in saucepan, then mix in butter and flour. Yet there is no flour listed in the ingredients. Please clarify this.
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 28th of October 2021
Good catch! There isn't any flour. That was a typo. I'm correcting now. Thanks for letting me know!
Kathleen
Monday 16th of December 2019
Wait a doggone second, you can make nougat at home? I'm in! ALL IN! Great for our upcoming Christmas party!
Erin Parker
Wednesday 11th of December 2019
You have just blown my mind with this nougat fact. I had NO CLUE it was so easy, and now, I'm going to be making these for the family ASAP. Also, caramel and pecan paired with nougat is brilliant, and I'm all about it!
Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies | The Fresh Cooky
Wednesday 11th of December 2019
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