Chocolate And Caramel Turtles Food

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TURTLES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare countertop with parchment paper (NOT wax paper - it'll stick to your caramel). Arrange toasted pecan halves in a five-point star shape, dropping crumbs or small broken pieces in the middle. Should make about 30.
• 2. Using a double boiler (or a glass bowl set over a saucepan - method: fill saucepan about a 1/4 full of water, set bowl on top. Boil gently to melt ingredients.) Melt the caramels and Cool-Whip. Stir frequently to smooth out clumps.
• 3. When the caramel is smooth, drop tablespoonfuls of it onto the center of the pecans. (I use 2 spoons to accomplish this) Let harden.
• 4. Clean out your bowl, and use the same double boiler process to melt your chocolate. When your chocolate has melted. Spread over caramel on the turtles and let set.
• 5. If you're having trouble with the chocolate setting, use scissors to cut the parchament paper into squares around each turtle. Place on a tray or in a container and refrigerate for about an hour. Once set, remove from refrigerator and remove parchament paper bottoms.

CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL TURTLES

Steps:

• 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.

CHOCOLATE COVERED TURTLES

Steps:

• Generously butter 2 baking sheets.
• On the baking sheets, arrange the pecan halves in snowflake-shaped clusters of 5 pecans each, overlapping the nuts in the center, leaving 2 inches of space between each.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the evaporated milk, the corn syrup, and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk and the 4 tablespoons butter, and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches the soft ball stage, 240 degrees F. Stir in the vanilla and remove from the heat. Let cool to 200 degrees F.
• Using a tablespoon, spoon caramel on top of each nut cluster and let harden. (If the caramel becomes too stiff to pour, return to low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until it returns to the proper consistency.)
• To make the chocolate coating, in the top of a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over barely simmering water, combine 6 ounces of the chocolate and the shortening. Melt over low heat, stirring, until it reaches 116 to 118 degrees F, or feels fairly warm but not hot to the touch.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate reaches 80 degrees F or feels cool to the touch. Return to low heat and cook, stirring, until the temperature rises to 85 to 87 degrees F, or feels barely cool. Remove from the heat.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of tempered chocolate over each cluster. Set aside in a cool place to harden. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, with waxed paper separating the layers to prevent sticking.

CARAMEL PECAN TURTLE CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Grease a large cookie sheet well.
• Arrange 4 pecan halves in a cluster, flat side down on cookie sheet.
• Repeat with the rest of the pecan halves.
• Place one caramel on top of each cluster.
• Heat in oven until caramels are softened, about 4-6 minutes.
• Press caramels flat with the bottom of a buttered spatula (you may have to butter the spatula after every 2 or 3 caramels, or it will get very sticky).
• Remove caramels evenly onto waxed paper.
• Melt chocolate in double boiler, or in microwave on medium high, stirring every 25 seconds until just melted.
• Spoon over caramel-pecan clusters.
• Let cool a few hours.
• Makes 26.

TURTLE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL-PECAN SQUARES

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Set the oven rack to the middle postion.
• Butter and flour a 9-inch baking pan (tap off excess flour in the pan).
• For the chocolate layer: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the chocolate and the butter over low heat, stirring until smooth; remove the pan from the heat, cool the mixture to lukewarm.
• Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla.
• Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and the salt; add to the chocolate mixture, beating JUST until the batter is combined well.
• Add in the mini chocolate chips (if using).
• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chocolate layer tests done.
• Cool completely on a rack.
• For the caramel-pecan layer: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, water and a Pinch of salt to a boil, over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Then boil the mixture WITHOUT stirring, until the mixture turns a golden caramel.
• Remove pan from the heat, and carefully add the cream and vanilla (be careful, the mixture will bubble up, and steam).
• Stir in the pecans, and QUICKLY pour the mixture over the chocolate layer in the pan, spreading evenly.
• Drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel for garnish if desired.
• Chill the chocolate-caramel squares, loosely covered, until the caramel if firm (at least 4 hours).
• Cut into 16 squares.
• Let the squares come to room temperature before eating.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL TURTLE TORTE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers, adding dry chocolate pudding mix to the cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients. Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Meanwhile, microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; stir. Microwave 2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Add dry vanilla pudding mix; whisk 2 min. Cool 15 min. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP. Refrigerate 20 min. or until chilled.
• Cut cakes horizontally in half; stack on plate, spreading 1/3 of the caramel mixture between each layer.
• Microwave remaining COOL WHIP and chocolate in microwaveable bowl 2 min. or until blended, stirring after each minute. Cool 10 min. Spread over torte, allowing excess glaze to drip down side. Sprinkle with nuts.