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Chocolate Billionaires

Chocolate billionaires are pecan caramel clusters dipped in a smooth semisweet chocolate coating. Toasting the pecans first adds a fragrant, crisp center beneath the firm chocolate shell.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Chilling 43 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 6 minutes
Servings: 30 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pecan caramel centers
  • 2 cup pecans coarsely chopped
  • 1 package (11 oz) soft caramels unwrapped
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
For the chocolate coating
  • 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp vegetable shortening

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet
  • 1 microwave

Method
 

Toast and form the centers
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 7–9 minutes until fragrant; let them cool.
  3. Put the caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
  4. Stir the pecans into the caramel.
  5. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; refrigerate for 20–30 minutes until firm.
Dip in chocolate
  1. Put the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth.
  2. Dip each chilled cluster in the melted chocolate, letting excess drip back into the bowl, and return it to the parchment-lined sheet.
  3. Refrigerate the clusters for 15–20 minutes until the chocolate is set.

Notes

For a smooth coating, stir the chocolate thoroughly between microwave intervals and avoid overheating it. Store the clusters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks; they can be frozen. For a nut-free variation, use toasted sunflower seeds in place of the pecans.