Homemade gifts are a special touch around the holidays. In this recipe on How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans, get step-by-step instructions to make this quick dessert. They are perfect for a party, to give as a holiday gift or just to snack on.
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I love making homemade gifts to give my friends and coworkers for the holidays. Any recipe I make that includes yummy chocolate seems to be a hit! Of course December is such a busy time of year, easy recipes are always the best for me. Chocolate covered pecans are extremely easy to make and are wonderful gifts! I have made them with milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Really any chocolate chip you have on hand will work!
Are Chocolate covered pecans healthy?
Healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up all of your favorites. If you are looking for healthy snack recipes tree nuts are a wonderful choice. Because pecans are loaded with vitamins they are a great snack.
Many chocolate covered pecan recipes rely on toasting their pecans in tablespoons of butter. To make this simple recipe I decided to skip the butter for the toasted pecans and just rely on their natural flavor. This helps make this delicious treat a little healthier!
Some special diets require sugar free chocolate chips which are naturally a low carb chocolate. This will help keep this treat very healthy. I believe theirs always room for a little something sweet in any diet, so do not skip the chocolate when looking for healthy recipes!
How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans
The ingredient checklist is only 2 items, chocolate and pecans. Make sure your ingredients are fresh for best results!
First, separate pecan halves from any broken pecan pieces in the package. I use only whole pecans for the best presentation. Then, toast the pecans in a skillet over medium heat. No need for butter or oil, just a quick toasting will bring out the flavor of the pecan. Stay by the stove and gently stir pecan halves frequently to keep them from burning.
After the pecans are toasted, melt the chocolate chips. You can use a double broiler or melt the chocolate in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Use short increments, stirring in between until the chocolate is a smooth consistency.
I do not temper the chocolate for this recipe. It’s not necessary, it just gives the chocolate a glossy look. If you want to go the tempered route, check out this step-by-step tutorial.
Use a spatula to stir and smooth chocolate. Once the toasted pecans are cooled it is time to give them a quick dunk into the melted chocolate. Dip half of each pecan into the chocolate. If you prefer to completely cover the pecan you can use a fork or slotted spoon.
Shake off any access chocolate and lay each pecan half in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or wax paper. This is really the most time consuming part of the recipe. Depending on how many pecans you have it may take about 10 minutes to cover them in chocolate.
How to store Chocolate covered pecans
Once all of the pecans have been dunked, let them cool at room temperature for at least one hour so that the chocolate can harden before storing. It is not necessary to cool in the refrigerator. I prefer not to because the chocolate develops condensation once it is in the fridge.
Store in an airtight container. I like to package the pecans in cute little gift boxes or bags. This makes a great gift to have on hand for a last minute party.
Looking for Another Pecan Recipe? Try These!
Healthy Sweet Potato Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping
Apple Raisin Pecan Muffins
If you try this tutorial on How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans, let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bluesbestlife on Instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day.
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How to Make Chocolate Covered Pecans
Ingredients
- 60 Pecan halves, toasted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- Heat a small skillet on low heat and add pecan halves. Toast for about 5 minutes, stir frequently and keep an eye on the pecans so they do not burn.
- In a small microwave safe bowl heat chocolate chips in 15 second intervals until melted. Stir after each interval.
- Once chocolate is melted, dip pecans one at a time coating about half of the pecan.
- Shake off any access chocolate and place pecans in a single layer on parchment paper.
- Allow chocolate to harden for about 1 hour before placing in an airtight container.
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Yum! What a perfect combination. I love pecans and could eat on this ALL day!
They look so delicious! I love pecans and can’t wait to give this a try 😀 !
This is such a delicious snack!
Chocolate and pecans are my favorite. I’m planning to make more homemade gifts for this Christmas, so thank you so much for the idea!
Such a fun and yummy snack! These look so easy and I never would have thought about trying them at home
Yum! I love chocolate covered pecans! This recipe was so easy to make and simple to follow. Thanks for sharing!