Caramel cashew clusters are a simple candy with a layer of salted cashews drizzled with gooey caramel and then topped with additional salted cashews. The best of both sweet and salty!
Caramel Cashew Clusters
Caramel cashew clusters are an easy to make candy with a layer of salted cashews drizzled with gooey caramel and then topped with additional salted cashews. This candy is the perfect mix of sweet and salty! Caramel cashew clusters are a great candy to make around the holiday season, but are a great special occasion treat, too. Don’t like cashews? See the tips in the recipe below on how to make substitutions for this recipe.
How to make caramel cashew clusters
Caramel cashew clusters are an easy to make recipe that can be made using the microwave – no boiling or even using a candy thermometer required!
Ingredients
- Salted cashews, whole or halves (not pieces)
- Heavy cream
- Caramel candies (such as Kraft)
The first step to make these caramel cashew clusters is to line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. If using parchment paper, spray with baking spray to prevent sticking. Place about 2 tablespoons of the cashews to make a cluster on the baking sheets, spreading them out to leave about 2 inches between each cluster.
In a microwave safe bowl, combine the heavy cream and the unwrapped caramels. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute and then stir. Continue to microwave until the caramel mixture is completely melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of the caramel on top of each cashew cluster; immediately top with additional cashew pieces as desired. Place the sheet pans in the refrigerator; allow the caramel to cool and set up completely before serving. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Tips for caramel cashew clusters
- Alternatively, you can melt the caramels and heavy cream in a double boiler; stir until just melted, do not allow the mixture to boil
- Caramel baking bits or caramel ice cream topping will not work for this recipe
- You can substitute salted peanuts in place of the cashews
- You can freeze the caramel cashew clusters for up to 45 days in an airtight container
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Caramel Cashew Clusters
Equipment
- sheet pan
- parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 16 oz. salted cashews, whole or halve (not pieces)
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 (11oz.) bag caramels (such as Kraft), unwrapped
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. If using parchment paper, spray with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place about 2 Tablespoons of the cashews on the baking sheets, spreading them out to leave about 2 inches between each cluster.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the heavy cream and the caramels. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute and then stir. Continue to microwave until the caramel mixture is completely melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Spoon 1 Tablespoon of the caramel on top of each cashew cluster; immediately top with additional cashew pieces as desired.
- Place the sheet pans in the refrigerator; allow the caramel to cool and set up completely before serving. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Notes
- Alternatively, you can melt the caramels and heavy cream in a double boiler; stir until just melted, do not allow the mixture to boil
- Caramel baking bits or caramel ice cream topping will not work for this recipe
- You can substitute salted peanuts in place of the cashews
- You can freeze the caramel cashew clusters for up to 45 days in an airtight container
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