These easy Caramel Pecan Bites are simple to make and rich in flavor—perfect for a holiday cookie tray or as a small indulgent treat. Each bite features soft homemade nougat, a silky caramel coating, and toasted pecans for a satisfying crunch. This recipe was first published as “Pecan Log Truffles” on Take Two Tapas and is reproduced here with permission.
Caramel Pecan Bites
Making nougat at home is much easier than you might think. The texture is soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet — a wonderful base for the caramel and pecan coating. These bites store well and travel nicely, making them ideal for parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting during the holidays.
This recipe yields a batch of small, elegant confections that combine three simple components: a basic nougat, a melted caramel coating, and toasted pecans pressed into the caramel. The steps are straightforward, and with a little patience you’ll have a tray of glossy, nutty bites that look and taste impressive.
How to make nougat?
This nougat uses a few pantry staples and a simple cooking method. While no special equipment is required, a medium saucepan and a parchment-lined baking sheet make the process smoother.
Ingredients for the nougat:
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: a little extra butter or cooking spray for greasing
Method at a glance:
- Whisk together the powdered sugar and dry milk powder in a large bowl and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the granulated sugar and corn syrup and stir until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
- Remove the saucepan from heat briefly if it starts to bubble vigorously. Slowly whisk the powdered sugar and milk mixture into the warm butter-sugar mixture until smooth and lump-free.
- Stir in the vanilla. Pour the nougat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it cool just until it can be handled without burning your fingers.
- Shape the nougat into small balls with greased hands or a lightly oiled scoop. Place them on a clean parchment sheet and set aside while you prepare the caramel coating.
For the caramel coating, melt 14 ounces of caramels with about 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Working in small batches, dip the nougat balls into the melted caramel, then immediately roll them in toasted pecans so the nuts adhere while the caramel is still tacky. Set the finished bites on parchment and allow them to set for about 30 minutes before serving.
More Christmas cookies to love
If you’re assembling a holiday cookie platter, these caramel pecan bites are an excellent choice. Here are some complementary cookie ideas to round out your tray:
- Snowball Cookies
- Browned Butter Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Browned Butter Soft Ginger Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Snickers Brownie Bites
Pin this recipe for later so you can add it to your holiday baking list.
Yield: 24 bites
Caramel Pecan Bites
Soft homemade nougat wrapped in warm caramel and rolled in toasted pecans. A small, elegant treat with balanced sweetness and crunch.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes (to set)
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Ingredients
Nougat
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter or cooking spray for greasing
Caramel coating
- 14 ounces caramels
- 2 tablespoons water
Pecan coating
- Toasted pecans, chopped or roughly chopped
Instructions
- Combine the powdered sugar and dry milk powder in a large bowl and set aside.
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the granulated sugar and corn syrup and heat until the mixture gently simmers.
- Once simmering, slowly whisk in the powdered sugar and milk mixture until smooth and free of lumps. Stir in vanilla.
- Pour the nougat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow it to cool until it is warm but not hot to the touch, then shape into small balls using greased hands or a scoop.
- Melt the caramels with the water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Working quickly, dip each nougat ball in the melted caramel, then roll it in toasted pecans.
- Place finished bites on parchment and let them set for about 30 minutes before serving or storing.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Yield: 24 servings
- Calories: 214
- Total Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
- Cholesterol: 14 mg
- Sodium: 61 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40 g (Sugar: 38 g)
- Protein: 1 g
Nutrition data is an estimate. Consult a reliable source for medical or dietary tracking.