Chocolate Pecan Clusters

This is so simple - it doesn't even qualify as a recipe. It's an unrecipe recipe.

Here's how this chocolatey, crunchy treat came about. It was after I made some truffles in my Truffle Mania. I had leftover melted chocolate. Since I am not one to let chocolate go to waste, I opened the closest cupboard and found an opened bag of pecan pieces. I wonder how that would taste, I thought. I dumped the bag in the chocolate, stirred it up, plopped it on wax paper to set up, and chocolate pecan clusters were born.

Chocolate pecan cluster alongside a piece of white chocolate covered pretzel. 

 They were actually better than I expected. I don't think I've ever had chocolate/pecan combo aside from chocolate pralines. And, you cannot go wrong with pralines. This was straight up chocolate and pecans. So rich, so simple, so easy, so delicious.

Then, convinced that I had created a candy, I went to the web. Whaddya know, they already exist. Most recipes were very similar, although most directed you to toast the pecans. I was not in a position to do that, but you may if you please, or simply buy toasted pecans.

I also came across caramel pecan clusters in my search. Hmmm. I'm also now thinking about pralines.

I may need to buy some more pecans. Pee-cans or pe-cahns? The great debate. However you pronounce them, how about making a chocolatey cluster with them?

Chocolate Pecan Clusters

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup melted chocolate (milk, or dark)
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup pecan pieces (toasted optional)

Directions:

1. Stir the pecan pieces into the melted chocolate. 
2. Using a spoon, make piles about 1.5 - 2 inches on wax paper. Allow to set up, about 30-50 minutes, or chill in the fridge to speed up the process. 

Makes about 2 candies.

Note: I was just using up extra chocolate. Feel free to make a much larger batch ;)
For tips on melting chocolate, see this post: http://humancookiemonster.blogspot.com/2013/04/chocolate-tips-tricks.html.