Pecan Delights

This recipe comes from a holiday catalog from Taste of Home. Reminds me of "Turtles," my dad's favorite treat!

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Yields: 48 clusters

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine
• 1  cup light corn syrup
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄2 lbs whole pecans
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
• 2  tablespoons shortening

Directions

1. In large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, syrup and salt.
2. Cook over medium heat until all sugar is dissolved.
3. Gradually add milk to mixture and mix well.
4. Continue to cook until candy thermometer reaches 248°F, or firm ball stage.
5. Remove mixture from heat and stir in vanilla.
6. Fold in pecans.
7. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased sheet, or sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Chill drops till firm.
9. Loosen from paper.
10. Melt the chocolate and shortening together in the microwave or in a double boiler.
11. Drizzle the chocolate mixture over each pecan cluster.
12. Allow to cool completely.