We love making homemade candy, especially around the holidays. It’s a good way to keep our family together, and let’s be honest: it’s just down right delicious. We like to wrap these in wax paper and use ‘em for stocking stuffers, and sometimes little Jack even leaves them out for Santa along with some other cookies on Christmas Eve. Whatever your reason for making them is, we know you’ll love ‘em. Our recipe for these chewy chocolates is simple to make - and even simpler to eat. And yes, they do look a little like turtles, if you use your imagination!

Chocolate and Caramel Turtles

Ingredients:
1 pound vanilla caramel candies
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces salted pecans or cashews
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:
Grease 2 large cookie sheets; set aside. In a double boiler or a microwave set on low power, melt the caramels and butter, stirring frequently until smooth.

Arrange 36 groups of 3 nuts 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets (see photo, opposite). Spoon melted caramel by teaspoons on top of the nuts. Cool for 15 minutes.

In a double boiler or a microwave set on low power, melt the chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth. Spoon the melted chocolate by teaspoons over each caramel turtle. Spread the chocolate with a spatula. Let candies set at room temperature, or to speed up the setting process, refrigerate briefly.

Servings: 36 pieces
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Difficulty: Easy