Caramel Pecan Turtles

Ingredients

• 1 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 to 5 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Topping:
• 14 ounces caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 cups pecan halves
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream shortening and sugars together. Add milk. Beat in eggs one at a time; add vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix into creamed mixture. Chill one hour.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out 1/3 of dough at a time to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured surface.
4. Cut out with 2 1/4 inch cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 5-6 minutes, until edges are slightly golden. Remove to cooling rack.
5. For topping, combine caramels and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with waxed paper; microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir; repeat until smooth. Drop a rounded teaspoonful on top of each cookie. Place 3 pecan halves around the edge of the caramel.
6. Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe cup. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir. Repeat until smooth. Spread a rounded teaspoonful over the top of the caramel, without covering the pecans.
7. Cool completely.