Chocolate Tortoises

It's a good idea to help kids get the ingredients prepped -- toast the nuts and melt the chocolate. But they can create the critters on their own.

Everyday Food, December 2012 http://www.marthastewart.com/951666/chocolate-tortoises

Rated

80100(5)5

Ingredients

- 48 roasted salted cashews
- 12 hazelnuts, toasted and loose skins rubbed off
- 12 soft caramels
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 12 pecans halves, toasted

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. On a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, make 12 clusters by arranging 4 cashews and 1 hazelnut (the cashews will be the tortoises' legs, and the hazelnuts, the heads). With your fingers, gently flatten caramels and place one on top of each cluster.
Bake until caramels just begin to melt, 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave chocolate in 10-second increments until melted. Dollop 1 teaspoon chocolate onto each caramel and top with a pecan. Refrigerate until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes (or up to 2 days). Bring to room temperature before serving.

Have fun making these cute chocolate tortoises. Give them as gifts or put them on a party platter -- unlike their namesakes, they'll go fast!