TURTLE COOKIE CUPS

Turtle Cookie Cups image

The gooey caramel pairs wonderfully with crunchy pecans. For a twist, use white chocolate chips in the cups and drizzle with white chocolate. - Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup Kraft caramel bits
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
48 pecan halves (about 3/4 cup)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape dough into 1-in. balls; place in greased mini-muffin cups. Press evenly onto bottoms and up the sides of cups. Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. With the back of measuring teaspoon, make an indentation in each cup. Immediately sprinkle with 3/4 cup chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt caramel bits with cream; stir until smooth. Spoon into cups. Top each with a pecan half. In a microwave, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 95mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.