Turtle Bites

 

So what do you do with leftover melted chocolate when there are no more caramel apples to coat?  You make Turtle Bites, of course.

I had grand plans of actually making my caramel coating for my last post from scratch so had bought a bag of caramels...which accidentally got opened in the interim and someone (I think it was the cats) started eating them so there wasn't really enough to make a full batch of dipping caramel.  But I digress.

Since I had the caramels on hand and always keep my freezer well-stocked with NC shelled pecans, I threw them together with the rest of the chocolate candy melt.  Waste not, want more.

Turtle Bites

2 dozen caramels, unwrapped
2 dozen pecan halves
4-6 oz. chocolate candy melt, CandiQuik or candy coating

Cut the caramels in half with a paring knife.

Put a pecan half between the caramel halves and gently mash and smoosh the caramel around the nut. 

Using a fork, dip the ball of caramel and pecan in the melted chocolate.  Shake lightly to allow excess chocolate to fall off.

Set on a sheet of wax paper and allow to set.

Sea Turtle Variation

I didn't think of it until after I'd make all of my chocolates, but if you wanted to try something a little fancy, sprinkle a few grains of sea salt on the candies before the chocolate sets.  Mm-mmm.