Chocolate Dipped Caramel Turtles

Chocolate Dipped Caramel Turtles

With Christmas just around the corner, I am trying to get my last few packages off.  Giving little boxes of handmade chocolates is one of my favorite gifts to give. I like to buy small chocolate boxes in bulk to have on hand for the holidays and for birthdays.  I love to fill the boxes with handmade chocolates and tie it up with a bow.  It will be gorgeous and outrageously good, not to mention always enjoyed and appreciated!  A neighbor friend once brought me some of her amazing homemade turtles as a gift.  They were so wonderful I asked her for the recipe, she however didn't want to divulge the recipe!  Well then!  I just made them up on my own!  And I WILL divulge the recipe!

8-12 ounces whole pecan halves

2 cups whipping cream

½ cup milk

1 ¼ light corn syrup

2 cups sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 lb. milk dipping chocolate 

Easy "Cheaters" Dipping Method:

2, 11 ounce bags quality milk chocolate chips 
2 tablespoons shortening gently melted together

Cover two large baking sheets with wax paper.  Arrange groups of pecans in fours on baking sheet leaving three inches in-between pecan groups. Set aside.  In bowl combine cream and milk. Set aside.  In large, heavy saucepan, place 1/3 of cream mixture, corn syrup, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.  Turn heat down to low and simmer for 30 minutes in which time mixture will turn a light tan color.   Attach candy thermometer and turn up heat to medium.   While mixture is boiling gradually add the remaining cream mixture. Cook until candy thermometer reaches 232 degrees.  Add evaporated milk and cook to 232 degrees again, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir.  With 1/8 cup, dip into caramel and pour about half that amount over each group of pecans.  Allow to cool.  Chill in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes prior to dipping. Melt chocolate in double boiler or on lowest possible setting in a small crock pot.   Spoon a tablespoon of melted chocolate over the tops of each caramel turtle.  You can garnish with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt or a swirl of melted white chocolate if desired.