Turtles

Yield: 25 turtles | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill Time: 15 minutes

Whoever saw these little treats and said they look like turtles was one smart cookie. Whenever I am making turtles, I just think of their namesake and remember that the four legs connected by a big mound of gooey caramel and a little head popping out is the way they should be.

INGREDIENTS

8 to 10 ounces pecan halves

25 caramels, unwrapped

¼ cup heavy whipping cream, plus extra if needed

½ teaspoon sea salt

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. For each turtle, place 5 pecans on the baking sheet, overlapping. They should look somewhat like a turtle with a head and four legs.
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels with half the cream. Microwave on high, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, for 3 to 4 minutes until completely melted and smooth. Add the sea salt and stir to incorporate. If the mixture seems overly thick, add extra cream.
4. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the caramel over the pecans for each turtle.
5. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips on high power in 30-second increments, stirring in between each, until melted. Spoon the melted chocolate over each cluster, covering as much or as little of the pecans as you like.
6. Allow the turtles to firm up at room temperature, or in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes.