White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters (Easy 3-Ingredient No-Bake Treat!)
If you’re searching for a holiday dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters might just become your new favorite treat. They’re sweet, creamy, crunchy, fruity, festive, and ridiculously easy to make — no baking, no candy thermometer, no fancy equipment required. Just melt, mix, scoop, and enjoy.
These clusters offer the perfect balance of flavors: sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and buttery toasted pecans. Every bite feels like a holiday celebration. They’re ideal for gifting, holiday dessert platters, cookie boxes, after-school sweets, or quick treats you can whip together when guests arrive unexpectedly.
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly flexible. You can dress these clusters up for Christmas, make them for Thanksgiving dessert platters, bring them to potlucks, or enjoy them anytime you want something sweet and satisfying. They’re spectacular with high-quality white chocolate, but they’re also amazing with simple white chocolate chips from the grocery store. No matter what, they always turn out delicious.
Let’s dive into what makes these clusters so special.
⭐ Why This Recipe Works So Well
1. No Bake & Super Fast
You only need about 10 minutes of hands-on work. The rest is chilling time.
2. Simple Ingredients, Incredible Flavor
White chocolate, pecans, cranberries — only a handful of ingredients, yet the flavor tastes gourmet.
3. Perfect for Gifting
These clusters store beautifully, stack well, and look festive in bags or holiday tins.
4. Customizable
Add pistachios, swap in almonds, or add sprinkles. Endless options.
5. Beginner-Friendly
Even kids or new bakers can make these successfully.
⭐ Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters
These no-bake clusters rely on just a few ingredients, but each one brings something special to the final treat.
- -2 cups white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate bars)
- -1 cup dried cranberries
- -1 cup pecan halves (toasted if desired)
- -1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- -Pinch of sea salt
If you want a little extra flavor, toasted pecans add a warm, nutty depth. Dried cranberries add tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the white chocolate. Vanilla enhances the creaminess and aroma, and sea salt adds the perfect finishing balance.
⭐ How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters
1. Prepare a Sheet Pan
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the White Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth and silky. (Or use a double boiler on the stove.)
3. Stir in Vanilla and Sea Salt
Mix until fully incorporated.
4. Add Cranberries & Pecans
Fold in the dried cranberries and pecans until everything is coated evenly in white chocolate.
5. Scoop into Clusters
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop mounds onto the parchment paper.
6. Set & Harden
Let clusters harden at room temperature for ~30 minutes, or chill for 10–15 minutes.
7. Enjoy or Store
They’re ready to eat immediately, but they store beautifully for days.
White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl using 20-second intervals until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla and sea salt.
- Fold in dried cranberries and pecans until fully coated.
- Drop spoonfuls onto the parchment paper to form clusters.
- Allow clusters to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes.
Notes
⭐ Tips for Perfect Clusters
Use good-quality white chocolate
Higher quality melts more smoothly and sets beautifully.
Don’t overheat the chocolate
White chocolate burns easily. Short heating intervals are key.
Add festive touches
Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy cane, or gold sugar make these holiday-perfect.
Toast pecans for extra crunch
A quick toast in the oven (350°F for 6–7 minutes) deepens flavor dramatically.
⭐ Flavor Variations
White Chocolate Pistachio Cranberry Clusters
Swap pecans for pistachios — stunning color and incredible flavor.
White Chocolate Almond Cherry Clusters
Use chopped almonds and dried cherries for a gourmet touch.
Salted Caramel White Chocolate Clusters
Drizzle caramel over the top before chilling.
Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate Version
The same recipe works with any chocolate type.
⭐ Serving Ideas
- Add to a Christmas cookie tray
- Fill gift boxes or jars for neighbors
- Serve with hot cocoa or coffee
- Pack into lunchboxes for a sweet treat
These clusters look elegant and homemade without requiring advanced skills or fancy equipment.
⭐ Storage
- Room temperature: 1 week
- Refrigerator: 2–3 weeks
- Freezer: 2 months
Store in an airtight container to prevent moisture issues.
