Chocolate Caramel Turtles

Sweet little turtles, studded with nuts, embraced with caramel, and smothered in dark chocolate. Each bite delivers a delightful crunch, a chewy caramel pull, and melt-on-the-tongue dark chocolate. Truly mind blowing. Four ingredients. Crazy easy. 

I'm not kidding. These really ARE easy to make. You simply cover piles of nuts with a quick-and-easy, 2-ingredient, homemade caramel and then spoon melted chocolate over top. The hardest part is waiting for these babies to firm up. Actually, you can eliminate the wait if you pop the turtles the freezer to set!

As you can see, I used walnuts in my turtles. Yes, pecans are more traditional (they make better "feet"), but I already had walnuts (and, frankly, I like them better). You can use any nut you prefer - peanuts would be great too!

Chocolate Caramel Turtles
Note: If you don't want to melt the caramels in the microwave, melt them in a saucepan over low heat, using caution and stirring frequently.

1 cup pecan or walnut halves
25 caramel squares, unwrapped (about 1 heaping cup)
1/4 cup cream or half-and-half, divided
2 cups dark chocolate chips or melting wafers

Working with 5 to 6 pecan/walnut halves at a time, make small piles on a parchment-lined baking sheet (overlap the nuts to reduce gaps). Set aside.
In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and 2 tablespoons of the cream. Microwave on high until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth, checking and stirring every 30 seconds (you can also do this in a small saucepan over low heat). If the mixture seems thick and needs more cream, add more as needed. Remove the caramel from the heat and spoon about 1 tablespoon over each nut pile.
Melt the chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, or in the microwave, checking and stirring every 30 seconds. 
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the melted chocolate over the caramel and nuts (spoon a dollop on top and let the chocolate run down the sides).

Let set until firm (at room temperature or, to speed things up, in the refrigerator or freezer). Store leftovers in an airtight container. 

Makes about 24 turtles