By: Jill Mills Posted: Nov 30, 2025

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These Caramel Cashew Clusters are sweet, salty, and irresistibly chewy with a little crunch! Toasted cashews are covered in rich homemade caramel, then topped with smooth chocolate for a candy-shop treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Great for gifting!

My family is obsessed with these caramel cashew clusters. They’re similar to turtle clusters but made with cashews instead of pecans. Each bite has that perfect mix of nutty crunch, buttery caramel, and creamy chocolate. I love to make these around the holidays because they’re great for holiday candy trays and gifting. But they’re also wonderful for just treating yourself throughout the year too!

Why This Cashew Clusters Recipe Is A Must-Make

Only 7 ingredients. These caramel cashew clusters are made with homemade caramel, cashews, and almond bark. The ingredients list is short and sweet, making them easy to whip up anytime.
Chewy & crunchy. The chewy caramel atop the crunchy ashews offers the perfect combination of textures plus sweet and salty flavors.
Store well. These clusters can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or frozen longer, which makes them great for holiday candy trays and gifting. I often make them in advance and just grab them from the freezer as needed.

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make cashew clusters

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the few ingredients used to make these candy clusters. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Cashews – Whole toasted cashews are best for the clusters. They can also be swapped with peanuts, almonds, pecans, or a mix of nuts for a different flavor.
Butter – I used salted butter. Unsalted plus a pinch of salt would work too.
Brown sugar – Melted with the corn syrup and butter to make the caramel.
Corn syrup – Honey or golden syrup can work as a replacement, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Sweetened condensed milk – Dulce de leche can be used in a pinch for a richer caramel.
Vanilla extract – Almond extract also pairs beautifully with the cashews.
Almond bark – Almond bark is my go-to for chocolate that melts easily and tastes good. Feel free to use chocolate chips, melting wafers, or candy coating.

How To Make Caramel Cashew Clusters

These clusters are so easy to make and take just a few minutes. The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

Little piles of cashews on a baking sheet

Brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan

Prep. Line the tray with parchment paper. Place cashews in 24 little piles.
Make the caramel. Bring the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Add the candy thermometer and continue stirring until it reaches 245F.
Add the caramel. Spoon a tablespoon of caramel on top of each cashew pile. Set aside to harden.
Add the chocolate. Microwave the almond bark in 30 second increments until smooth and melted. Spoon over the caramel. Let set and harden. Enjoy!

Caramel Cashew Clusters on a baking sheet

Recipe Variations

There are lots of fun ways to customize these cashew clusters. Here are a few ideas:

Sea Salt Clusters. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before the chocolate sets.
Dark Chocolate Lovers. Use dark or bittersweet chocolate instead of almond bark for a richer taste.
Festive Clusters. Add red and green sprinkles on top for Christmas trays.
Turtle Style. Swap cashews for pecans to make classic caramel pecan turtles.
Double Nutty. Mix cashews with almonds or peanuts for extra crunch and flavor.

Overhead view of a plate of cashew clusters

Tips for Success

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make caramel cashew clusters for the first time.

Toast the cashews. It really brings out their flavor and keeps them extra crunchy.
Use a candy thermometer. The caramel should reach 245°F (firm ball stage) for the right chewy texture.
Work quickly. Once the caramel is ready, spoon it onto the nuts right away before it sets.
Line your tray. Parchment or silicone mats make removing the clusters easy.
Even piles. Try to portion the cashews evenly so all your clusters are the same size.

Proper Storage

Room temperature. Caramel cashew clusters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. Just keep away from heat.
Freezer. They can also be frozen for 1-2 months. Once they’ve set completely, transfer to a ziploc bag and freeze. Thaw on the counter.

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