Caramel Pecan Turtles

Joy can be shared in small sweet ways.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Yields: 5 doz cookies

Ingredients

• Cookie

• 1  cup  Butter Flavor Crisco (or 1 butter flavor crisco stick)
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons milk
• 3  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 4  cups flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1  teaspoon salt

• Caramel and Chocolate Topping

• 28  caramels
• 2  tablespoons milk
• 3  cups pecan halves
• 1 (6 ounce) package  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream Butter Flavor CRISCO and sugars together. Add milk. Beat in eggs one at a time; add vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix into creamed mixture.
3. Chill for one hour.
4. Heat oven to 350ºF.
5. Roll out 1/3 of the dough at a time, to about 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface.
6. Cut out with 2 1/4-inch cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on un-greased baking sheet. Bake for 5-6 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden. Remove immediately to cooling rack.
7. Caramel and Chocolate Topping.
8. Combine caramels and milk in microwave-safe bowl. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave at 50%(MEDIUM). Stir after 1 minute. Repeat until smooth (or melt on rangetop in small saucepan on very low heat).
9. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls on top of each cookie. Place 3 pecan halves around edge of caramel to resemble turtles.
10. Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe cup. Microwave at 50% (MEDIUM)for 1 minute. Stir after 1 minute. Repeat until smooth (or melt on rangetop in small saucepan on very low heat).
11. Place melted chocolate in a small plastic baggie. Cut the corner off the bag and drizzle a small amount of chocolate in the center of the cookie. Do not cover the pecans. Cool completely.