Chocolate Turtles include the winning combination of pecan clusters topped with homemade salted caramel and melted chocolate. They are easy treats for all the caramel-chocolate lovers!
Arrange pecans in clusters on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and sea salt. Continue heating, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.
Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan and add sweetened condensed milk. Continue heating over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 245°F on the candy thermometer (the hard ball stage).
Immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of caramel over each pecan cluster. You may not use all of the caramel. As the caramel cools, it will become thicker.
Heat chopped chocolate and ½ teaspoon of shortening in 30 second increments. Stir between heating until melted and smooth.
Spoon melted chocolate over the cooled caramel/pecan clusters. Allow chocolate to set (about 5-10 minutes).
Serve immediately or keep refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to serve!