🍰 Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters 🍫

A Sweet Crunch with Every Bite: Perfect for Dessert Lovers and Busy Bees!

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️
- 1/2 C light corn syrup
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 C butter (I use salted)
- 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1/2 of a 14 ounce can)
- 2 1/2 C pecans
- 1/2 t shortening (I use butter flavored Crisco)

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and toast 2 1/2 cups of pecans until they darken slightly and become fragrant, which should take a few minutes.
2. Prepare two large cookie sheets with parchment paper and a light spray of cooking spray. Arrange the toasted pecans in clusters, three pecans each, leaving about an inch between each cluster.
3. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 1/2 C butter over medium-high heat. Stir in 1 C brown sugar, 1/2 C light corn syrup, and 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk. Increase the heat slightly and continue stirring until the mixture reaches about 234 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
5. Quickly drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of caramel over each pecan cluster, ensuring it touches all the nuts to act as a glue.
6. Melt the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating for 30 seconds at a time and stirring in between until smooth.
7. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of shortening into the melted chocolate, let it sit to melt completely, then stir again.
8. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the melted chocolate over each caramel-coated cluster, swirling to create a decorative top.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 210 per cluster
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 15g
- Sugars: 15g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- Ensure your pecans are evenly toasted for the best flavor.
- Work quickly with the caramel and chocolate to prevent them from setting before you're finished.
- If the caramel hardens too quickly, gently reheat it while stirring.

⏳ Preparation time ⏳
Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Serving: Makes about 24 clusters