Chewy caramel, roasted pecans, and crispy rice cereal coated in rich dark chocolate, these easy Dark Chocolate Billionaires are the ultimate bite-size holiday candy.
With just a few ingredients and no fancy equipment required, this quick treat makes an elegant homemade Christmas gift or addition to your holiday dessert tray.
Hands on Time: 25 minutes | Yield: ~50 bite-size candies | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead Friendly: Yes
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and festive: No candy thermometer, no baking, and just four ingredients.
- Perfect for gifting: Like my Chocolate Covered Pecans, these little gems look like gourmet chocolates but are easy enough for beginners.
- Crunchy, chewy, chocolaty goodness: Caramel, pecans, and crisp cereal wrapped in a glossy dark chocolate shell.
- Pro-approved: I'll be showcasing this exact recipe in my upcoming Christmas Candy cooking class, so you know it's been tested to perfection.
G&P Wisdom: “The best holiday gifts come straight from your kitchen, and taste even better dipped in chocolate.”
Ingredient Notes
You'll need just a few pantry staples for this easy Christmas candy.
- Caramels: Store-bought caramel bits or unwrapped soft caramels work great. Melt them slowly with a splash of cream or water to keep them silky smooth.
- Heavy cream: Helps loosen the caramel so it coats evenly.
- Roasted pecans: Toasted pecans add incredible depth of flavor. (See my How to Roast Pecans guide for perfect results every time!)
- Crispy rice cereal: Rice Krispies add that signature light crunch that balances the chewy caramel.
- Dark chocolate melting wafers or candy coating: I love Ghirardelli melting wafers for their smooth texture and rich flavor.
Variations
- Milk chocolate version: Swap the dark chocolate for milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter coating.
- Salted twist: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top before the chocolate sets for a salted caramel vibe.
- Nut swap: Try toasted almonds, walnuts, or even peanuts for a flavor twist.
- Truffle transformation: Roll smaller portions into balls before dipping for a fancier candy look.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Billionaires
- Melt the caramel: Combine 11 ounces of caramel bits and one tablespoon of heavy cream or water in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until smooth, about 8-9 minutes.
- Add the crunch: Remove from heat and stir in 1½ cups roasted pecans and 1 cup crispy rice cereal until fully coated.
- Shape the balls: Use a 1-inch cookie scoop or a small melon baller to scoop the mixture into small balls, then place them on parchment or wax paper. Let them sit for a few minutes while you melt the chocolate.
- Melt the chocolate: Microwave 3 cups dark chocolate melting wafers on 50% power for 30 seconds, stirring after each 15-second interval, until smooth and glossy.
- Dip and set: Using kitchen tweezers, toothpicks, or skewers, dip each caramel-pecan cluster into the melted chocolate, coating all sides. Return to parchment paper and let them set at room temperature (about 30-40 minutes).
- Store: Once the chocolate is firm, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to a month.
Serving and Gifting Ideas
- Holiday candy trays: Add these to festive platters alongside Oreo Fudge and Old Fashioned Pecan Pralines.
- Edible gifts: Pack in festive tins or boxes with parchment paper between layers.
- Hostess gifts: Wrap a few in cellophane with a ribbon for an elegant touch.
If you love these, you'll also enjoy my Caramel Corn with Chocolate Drizzle and Cranberry Cookies, both of which make great homemade gifts too!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Chocolate Billionaires stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Definitely - it'll make the candy a bit sweeter but just as delicious.
Nope! This recipe is truly beginner-friendly. Just melt, mix, and dip.
Layer pieces between parchment paper in a decorative tin or an airtight container.
Tips to Ensure This Recipe Turns Out Perfectly
- Roast your pecans just until fragrant; over-toasting can make them bitter. Spread your pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or heat them in a dry skillet until fragrant. (Already chopped pecans will cook in about half the time as halves. Start checking them at 4-5 minutes.) You can find more details in my step-by-step roasted pecans recipe.
- If your caramel stiffens, reheat gently before shaping.
- Rewarm your melted chocolate in 10-second microwave bursts if it starts to thicken.
- Use caramel bits instead of unwrapping dozens of caramel candies, a small lifesaver during busy holiday prep!
- Small scoops = elegant bite-size candies (big scoops make them too heavy to dip cleanly).
“I've made this recipe dozens of times over the years for family, friends, and blog readers, and this year, I'll be demonstrating it live at a local Christmas candy cooking class. It's one of my favorite edible gifts to share because it proves you don't need fancy equipment or professional candy-making skills to create something truly special.”
Join the Conversation
If you make these Easy Dark Chocolate Billionaires, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a star rating and comment below to tell me how they turned out.
Recipe:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Grits and Pinecones.
Easy Dark Chocolate Billionaires (Homemade Christmas Candy)
Ingredients
- 11 ounces caramel bits, or unwrapped caramels
- 1½ cups chopped pecans, roasted
- 1 cup Rice Krispies
- 3 cups dark chocolate melting wafers or candy coating
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or water
Instructions
- Combine the caramel bits and one tablespoon of heavy cream or water in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. This will take 8-9 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, add the pecans and Rice Krispies and stir to combine.
- Use a 1-inch cookie scoop or melon baller and drop onto parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- Place the melting wafers in a small microwave-safe container and microwave at half-power or defrost setting for 30 seconds. Stir well. Continue microwaving and stirring every 15 seconds until the mixture is smooth.
- Dip each piece of candy into the melted chocolate, coating all sides. (I used kitchen tweezers, or you could use wooden skewers or toothpicks.)
- Place the dipped candy on parchment or wax paper and let it set. When the chocolate is fully set, store it in an airtight container.
Notes
- I like to use Ghirardelli melting wafers. You can substitute milk chocolate if you prefer.
- A small, deep container, like a microwave-safe glass measuring cup, works well for both melting the chocolate and dipping the candy.
- You can also use unwrapped caramels in this recipe instead of the caramel bits.
- Roast your pecans just until fragrant; over-toasting can make them bitter. Spread your pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or heat them in a dry skillet until fragrant. (Already chopped pecans will cook in about half the time as halves. Start checking them at 4-5 minutes.) You can find more details in my step-by-step roasted pecans recipe.
- If your caramel stiffens, reheat gently before shaping.
- Rewarm your melted chocolate in 10-second microwave bursts if it starts to thicken. Use caramel bits instead of unwrapping dozens of caramel candies, a small lifesaver during busy holiday prep!
- Small scoops = elegant bite-size candies (big scoops make them too heavy to dip cleanly).
- I found the decorative gift boxes and Christmas tins at Hobby Lobby, but you can also find them online and in other specialty stores during the holidays.
- Billionaires will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 5 days. Or they can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to a month. I like to place parchment paper between the layers of candy when storing them.
Nutrition
Southern Comfort Food Made Easy and Shareable.
From holiday candy trays to cozy casseroles, Grits and Pinecones has you covered.
Maria
Hi, I love your photos. I have a question csn I freeze them???
Sharon Rigsby
Hi Maria, yes this candy freezes well. Be sure to store them in an airtight container and they should be fine.
All the best,
Sharon
Denise
This was the easiest holiday candy EVER, only took a few minutes and came out perfectly! I added extra rice krispies to make it crunchier. This was the most popular candy on my Christmas tray for several events this year, flew off the platter every time!
Gritsandpinecones
Hi Denise,
I’m so glad you liked the candy. I agree it is really easy and I will try adding the extra rice crispies next time I make it. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Merry Christmas!
Sharon