Turtle Tassies

#18

On the 18th day of Christmas treats I give you - Turtle Tassies!  These are so good - and so easy to make! (They look pretty, too.)
Source: Betty Crocker

Ingredients:

1 pkg Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
butter and egg called for on the pouch
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 (14 oz) bags caramels, unwrapped
1/3 c whipping cream
1/2 c chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Lightly spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray.

Make dough according to package directions.  Make 36 (1 inch) balls.  Press 1 ball into the bottom of each muffin cup, pressing up sides to fill cups.

Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Meanwhile, in small saucepan, heat caramels and cream over medium heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Reduce heat to low.

Remove pan from oven; gently press end of wooden spoon into bottoms and against sides of cookie cups to flatten, being careful not to make holes in dough.

Bake 2 to 3 minutes longer or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately place about 4-5 chocolate chips into each cookie cup. 

Spoon about 1 TBS of caramel into each cookie cup, and immediately top with chopped pecans, pressing down slightly. 

Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans with a narrow spatula or knife.

Enjoy!