5 Days of Holiday Goodies! Day 5 ~ Pecan Turtles

My niece is a huge fan of those DeMet's pecan turtles, and looks forward to receiving them in her stocking every year. While tasty they are, they are awfully expensive for the small amount you receive. So, we make homemade pecan turtles to include in the cookie box we give her every year, and she thinks they are just as fantastic as the store bought ones!

Ingredients:

12 ounces unwrapped soft caramels (we really love the Werther's Baking Caramels!)
2 tbs milk
6 ounces pecan halves
8 ounces semi sweet chocolates, chopped
1 tbs shortening



Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toast pecan halves on a baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes.

Line another cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray. Arrange pecan halves in groups of 4 onto the oil sprayed sheet in an X pattern.

Unwrap caramels and place in a heavy pot with the milk. Cook over low heat until all caramels are melted.

Allow caramels to cool, then spoon caramel over pecan clusters, leaving the ends sticking out.

Melt chocolate and shortening in a heavy pot, over low heat, stirring frequently. Once melted, spoon chocolate over the caramel and nut layers, covering both as much as possible.

Allow candies to cool completely to set. Using a spatula (preferably metal) transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator. Eat cold or at room temperature.