Dark Chocolate Turtles

Dark Chocolate Turtles

Ingredients:
Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers (about 30 wafers)
Whole Pecans Haves (about 150 whole pecans; about 2 1/4 cups of whole pecan halves)
1 (14 oz.) bag caramel candies unwrapped (I used Kraft Caramel Squares)
Non-stick Cooking Spray

Directions:
Spray a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Place all unwrapped caramels in a double boil and melt caramel over medium-high heat.

While caramel is melting arrange pecans in groups of 5 pecan halves.  Prepare for at least 30 turtles.  You want five pecan halves grouped with one edge of each pecan half in the center which is where the drop of caramel will go to  hold the turtle together.  The pecan halves represent the turtles 4 feet and head.  Depending on how much caramel you use per turtle you may be able to make more than 30 turtles.  It's not an exact science.

When the caramel is melted, place about 1 heaping tsp. caramel over the center of each turtle to hold the turtle together, caramel will spread a bit.  Keep the caramel on medium low in the double boiler during this process so caramel doesn't become difficult to work with.  It is a little messy, but worth it.

While the turtles are still hot, place one melting wafer on top of the hot caramel.  I put wafers on the turtles after every 5 or so turtles  to make sure the caramel is still hot enough to melt the chocolate.  Let the turtles cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator until chocolate hardens.  Remove from pan and store in tin, separating each layer with wax paper.  Store at room temperature if you plan to eat within 1-2 weeks.Can refrigerate for a longer shelf life or freeze and keep turtles for months.

But make sure to always serve at room temperature or caramel will be really hard.

Makes about 30 turtles.

Makes a great cookie tray addition!