Featured Comment
Who knew that making homemade candy this delicious could be so easy? I’ve made 3 batches already! Thank you, Donya for this aweseome recipe.
Julia
Chocolate Pecan Candy: The Perfect Homemade Gift
Gift-giving is a big part of Christmas. For me, it doesn’t matter how big or small the presents are. Instead, it’s all about the fact that someone thought about me. One simple act of kindness can bring so much joy not only for the person receiving the gift but also for the giver.
For years, I’ve been making homemade treats like Peanut Butter Balls, Snickerdoodle Cookies, and Peanut Butter Fudge for those special people who’ve made a difference in my life. This year, I took one of my favorite candy recipes, chocolate peanut clusters, and made it a little more decadent with dark chocolate and Southern pecans. YUM!
Donya’s Tips and Things To Know
Use the right size slow cooker. A 5–6 quart slow cooker works well for this amount of chocolate and nuts. If your crock pot is much larger, the mixture may spread too thin and melt unevenly.
Pile the chocolate on top. Keeping the chocolate on top of the nuts helps it melt gently and protects it from scorching on the bottom.
Stir regularly once melted. After the first hour, check the candy and stir every 15 minutes. This keeps the chocolate smooth and prevents any hot spots.
Watch for condensation. If you see moisture building up on the lid, quickly wipe it off with a towel so water doesn’t drip into the candy and affect the texture.
Let the candy set completely. Resist the urge to move the clusters too soon. Let them cool and firm up on the waxed paper before transferring them to containers.
Need more homemade gourmet goodies? Try my Oreo Truffle Balls, Candied Pecans, Mom’s Fudge or Christmas Snack Mix next.
Chocolate Pecan Candy Ingredients
- Pecans – A big bag of pecans is the heart of this recipe. Roughly chopping them gives the candy great texture and ensures every bite is full of nuts. You can also swap in walnuts or almonds if that’s what you have on hand.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – One bag of semi-sweet chips adds rich chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness of the almond bark and German chocolate.
- German chocolate baking bar – This chocolate melts slowly and smoothly in the crock pot and brings that classic, slightly caramelized chocolate flavor you expect from German chocolate. You’ll find it on the baking aisle.
- White almond bark (or white baking chocolate) – This melts beautifully and helps create that glossy, candy-shop finish. Combined with the other chocolates, it gives the candy a silky, creamy texture.
- Salt – Just a small amount of salt wakes up all the flavors and keeps the chocolate from tasting flat or overly sweet.
Variations and Additions
- It’s fun to experiment with additional flavors of peppermint extract or peppermint-flavored chocolate for a yummy Christmas candy twist.
- Change things up by using milk chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or dark chocolate chips like I use with Chocolate Caramel Pretzels.
- I love to make this homemade candy recipe look extra special by adding festive-colored sprinkles and mini candies and then placing them in cupcake liners to serve.
- For gift giving, package the chocolate crock pot candy up in cute, happy gift bags and tie them all up with pretty ribbons.
How to Make Crock Pot Chocolate Candy With Nuts
You will not believe how easy this recipe is! Crock Pot candy with pecans looks impressive, and tastes like you’ve spent hours making it.
- Pour pecans into the bottom of the crock pot and add salt.
- Layer chocolate chips, German chocolate bar, and white almond bark over nuts. Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour. Remove the lid, and stir the candy. Cook for ONE additional hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Line the countertop with waxed paper. Place candy clusters on waxed or parchment paper using a small cookie scoop or spoon. Top with holiday sprinkles, sea salt, or chopped nuts.
- Wrap them up in cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon, or dig in!
How I Package Candy for Holiday Gifting
One of my favorite things about this Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy is how easy it is to turn into a thoughtful gift. A small box or bag of homemade candy feels special, no matter who you’re giving it to.
Let the candy cool completely. Make sure the clusters are fully set and dry to the touch so they don’t smudge or stick together.
Pick your packaging. Use small tins, clear cellophane bags, glass jars, or kraft boxes lined with parchment. Mini cupcake liners make each piece look extra polished.
Portion the clusters. Tuck 6–10 pieces into each container, depending on the size. It feels generous without using up your whole batch on one gift.
Add a simple tag. Label it “Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy,” add “Keep in a cool, dry place,” and a short note like “Made with love from my kitchen to yours.”
Make it ahead. The candy keeps well for 1–2 weeks in an airtight container at cool room temperature, so you can make it a few days before you start delivering gifts.
More Amazing Holiday Desserts You’ll Love
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces pecans – roughly chopped
- 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips 1 bag
- 4 ounces bar German Chocolate chocolate Bakers
- 32 ounces white chocolate almond bark
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pour pecans in bottom of crock pot. Add salt
- Layer chocolate chips, german chocolate bar and white almond bark over nuts
- Cover and cook on LOW for 1 hour.
- Remove lid, stir candy. Cook for ONE additional hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Line countertop with waxed paper. Using a small scoop or spoon, place candy clusters on waxed paper.
- Let cool then remove to an airtight container for storage.
- TOPPINGS: holiday sprinkles, sea salt, crushed peppermint, chopped nuts or whatever you can dream up!
Video
Notes
- If you notice moisture during the cooking process, you can place a piece of paper towel over the top before placing the lid on.
- Store in an airtight container and keep cool until you can package and gift them or serve them as a sweet treat on a cookie tray or for dessert.
Nutrition
Often Asked Questions and Answers
A 5–6 quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe. It’s large enough to hold all the nuts and chocolate but small enough to keep everything in a nice, even layer so it melts smoothly. If you’re using a larger crock pot, keep an extra close eye on it and stir more often.
If you notice condensation building up under the lid, carefully lift it, wipe the lid with a clean towel, and replace it. You can also lay a paper towel over the top of the crock pot before placing the lid on to catch extra moisture—just keep it away from the heating element.
Once the clusters are completely cooled and set, store them in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry spot at room temperature if your kitchen isn’t too warm, or in the refrigerator if you prefer a firmer texture. Properly stored, the candy will keep well for about 1–2 weeks, which makes it great for gifting.
Yes, you can freeze the clusters if you’d like to make them ahead:
Let the candy cool and set completely.
Place the clusters in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment.
Thaw in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature before serving. This is a great option if you’re prepping holiday treats in advance.
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or a mixed nut blend all work beautifully. Just keep the total amount of nuts the same so the texture stays right. You can also fold in mini marshmallows, toffee bits, or a handful of crushed pretzels at the end for extra crunch and flavor.
You can, as long as your slow cooker is large enough to handle the volume. A larger 7–8 quart crock pot usually works better for a double batch. Add a little extra time and stir frequently to make sure the chocolate melts evenly.
If you tried this Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
My New eBook!
The Effortless Host
Hosting doesn’t have to mean stress, long to-do lists, or staying stuck in the kitchen. The Effortless Host is your shortcut to pulling off beautiful gatherings with confidence and ease.
Happy New Year!
Bring a Little Southern Soul Into Your Kitchen
GET THIS FREE GUIDE: My go-to recipes to kick off the New Year right!
can you make it without chocolate for people that cant have chocolate but still want to make the candy
Yes — you can make the Crock Pot Chocolate Pecan Candy without chocolate for folks who can’t have it, and still end up with a tasty treat!
What to Do Instead of Chocolate
• Omit the chocolate chips entirely.
• After the candy cooks and the pecans are coated in the caramel‑like mixture, you can either:
• Leave it as classic caramel pecan clusters, or
• Drizzle with a non‑chocolate topping, such as:
• Caramel sauce (store‑bought or homemade)
• Maple glaze
• Honey drizzle
Without the chocolate, the candy will be more like sweet pecan clusters — rich, nutty, and caramelized — and just as irresistible.
~Donya
I didn’t add enough nuts. Can I just toss the set clusters back in the crockpot with more nuts?
Great question! If your crockpot clusters have already been fully set and hardened, it’s not ideal to throw them back into the crockpot as-is to add more nuts. The nuts have the potential to get soggy that way. ~Donya
Yes, that makes sense. I just didn’t note how much pecans were needed on my list. It’s a great recipe but a bit overwhelming chocolate without A LOT of pecans. Will try again and do it right.
Danya, I made this recipe last year and I said at the time…”she’s got another home run on this one”.. it’s absolutely wonderful and after gifting to several people, I’ve had HUGE hints that maybe this year….just maybe. lol And I plan on making it tomorrow!!
That’s so sweet — thank you for the kind words! It means the world to know a recipe brought that much joy (and gift requests!). I’d say those “hints” are your official marching orders. 😉
Wishing you a smooth and happy cooking day tomorrow — sounds like you’ve got another home run coming up!
~Donya
Who knew that making homemade candy this delicious could be so easy? I’ve made 3 batches already! Thank you, Donya for this aweseome recipe.
Julia, you are the sweetest. Thank you so much for your kind words and for cooking with me.
Merry Christmas!
~Donya
Tasty and so easy to make. This is a keeper!!!
Thank you, Martha!
~Donya
Donya, I just want to let you know that you are my number one go to for Southern Dishes. I love all your recipes. I have a notebook with your name where I file the recipes I print and take it when I visit my daughter or camping trip s in our RV. Thank you so much for providing us with the best Southern Recipes.
Cristina, you’ve made me cry! Thank you so much. I am inspired and even more convicted to keep bringing you good recipes, helpful ideas and lots of love from my kitchen. I am thrilled you are cooking with me.
XOXO,
~Donya
You have the most wonderful recipes Donya!
Jan, you are so kind! I’m glad you are here and cooking with me.
Merry Christmas,
~Donya
Is 1148 calories for the whole recipe?