Walnut Turtles

Walnut Turtles

2 cups walnut halves and large pieces

36 packaged caramels unwrapped, or homemade carmel

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2/3 c. semisweet or milk chocolate pieces

1 1/2 tsp. shortening

Cover baking sheets with waxed paper and arrange walnut pieces in 28-30 clusters, spaced at least 1 inch apart.

Place caramels in top of dbl boiler with butter.  Set over boiling water.  Heat until caramels are completely melted, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat, add vanilla extract, stir until butter and vanilla are thoroughly mixed with caramel.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto center of each walnut cluster, making sure that caramel touches all the walnut pieces to hold them together.  Allow them to cool.

Melt chocolate with shortening over hot, but not boiling water.  Spread over caramel and nut candies and allow to set before removing from waxed paper.  Makes 28-30 turtles