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Sink your teeth into the decadent world of Millionaire Candy, a treasured Southern treat that combines gooey caramel, toasty crunchy pecans, and smooth milk chocolate. It's the ultimate fancy snack for family get-togethers that brings a touch of warmth and happiness to your holiday table.
Delightful Southern Traditions
Whenever I whip up this candy I'm whisked away to my grandma's cooking space where these tasty little morsels would show up during holiday season. There's nothing quite like the way the silky chocolate coating breaks to reveal that sticky caramel and those crunchy toasted pecans inside. You won't need fancy skills to make it but everyone will think you're a pro.
What You'll Need
- Caramel candies: About 12 ounces from the store to create that rich, sticky foundation.
- Whole milk: 2 tablespoons to help the caramel flow smoothly.
- Pecans: 1 cup chopped and toasted for that amazing nutty bite.
- Flake sea salt: Just a tiny bit boosts the taste and gives a nice finish.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers: 12 ounces, Ghirardelli works great for that top-notch chocolate layer.
Let's Make It Together
- Prepare trays
- Cover two baking sheets with parchment and give them a light spray of cooking oil. Put them aside.
- Melt caramel
- Use a double boiler to soften the caramel candies with milk on medium heat, keep mixing until it's smooth for around 10 minutes.
- Add pecans
- Mix in your toasted pecans and a small sprinkle of flaky salt into the soft caramel. Stir everything well.
- Shape candies
- Take a tablespoon and drop small piles of the pecan-caramel mix onto your ready trays.
- Melt chocolate
- Warm up the chocolate wafers in a double boiler, stirring now and then until totally smooth, taking about 3-5 minutes.
- Dip candies
- Drop each caramel lump into the melted chocolate until it's fully covered. Place them back on your parchment tray.
- Chill candies
- Stick your trays in the fridge for 10-15 minutes so the chocolate can harden.
Keeping Your Candy Fresh
These sweet treats stay good in a sealed container at normal room temp for up to two weeks though they usually get eaten way faster at my place! Just remember to put wax paper between layers so they don't stick together. If you want to make them early for special occasions they freeze really well just let them warm up before you serve them.
Making It Your Own
The regular recipe tastes fantastic but I love trying different twists too. Sometimes I grab dark chocolate instead for a fancier flavor or throw in some almonds with the pecans. During Christmas time I've added dried cranberries for a festive look. You can really go wild with your own ideas!
Sharing the Love
These candies turn into the most gorgeous gifts. I enjoy putting them in cute holiday containers or see-through bags with pretty ribbons. There's something truly wonderful about giving someone a handmade sweet that looks so fancy and tastes so amazing. They always make people break into happy smiles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long do these candies stay fresh?
- They'll last for two weeks in a sealed container at room temperature. Put layers of parchment or wax paper in between.
- → Why make caramel and chocolate this way?
- Using a double boiler (placing a bowl over hot, simmering water) helps keep the heat even and stops things from scorching.
- → What’s the easiest dipping technique?
- Grab one fork to fully coat the caramel in chocolate, then use a second fork to gently place it onto the parchment without a mess.
- → Why add a splash of milk when melting caramels?
- Adding a bit of milk makes the melting process simpler and keeps the caramel creamy and easy to shape.
- → Is spraying the parchment really necessary?
- Yes, lightly spraying it stops the caramel from sticking, so the candies easily peel off when you're done.