Chocolate Caramel Turtle Torte Recipes

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL TURTLE TORTE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers, adding dry chocolate pudding mix to the cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients. Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Meanwhile, microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; stir. Microwave 2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Add dry vanilla pudding mix; whisk 2 min. Cool 15 min. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP. Refrigerate 20 min. or until chilled.
• Cut cakes horizontally in half; stack on plate, spreading 1/3 of the caramel mixture between each layer.
• Microwave remaining COOL WHIP and chocolate in microwaveable bowl 2 min. or until blended, stirring after each minute. Cool 10 min. Spread over torte, allowing excess glaze to drip down side. Sprinkle with nuts.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CARAMEL NUT TURTLES

Steps:

• Combine the sugars, syrup, butter and 1 cup of the evaporated milk, and bring to a boil. Add the other cup of evaporated milk slowly, stirring constantly, and cook until it reaches 255 degrees on a candy thermometer. Add the vanilla and pecans and mix well. Pour into a 9 by 11-inch greased pan and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature, cut into squares then dip in chocolate. If you'd like to make a turtle, spoon dollops of the caramel pecan mixture onto a greased sheet pan, with 5 pecans in each mound (4 legs and head). Refrigerate to set, then dip in chocolate.;

CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL TURTLES

Steps:

• Grease 2 large cookie sheets; set aside. In a double boiler or a microwave set on low power, melt the caramels and butter, stirring frequently until smooth.
• Arrange 36 groups of 3 nuts 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets (see photo, opposite). Spoon melted caramel by teaspoons on top of the nuts. Cool for 15 minutes.
• In a double boiler or a microwave set on low power, melt the chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth. Spoon the melted chocolate by teaspoons over each caramel turtle. Spread the chocolate with a spatula. Let candies set at room temperature, or to speed up the setting process, refrigerate briefly.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan.
• Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour half of the batter into pan. Bake 22 minutes. Refrigerate remaining batter.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and evaporated milk over medium heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted. Stir in pecans. Pour caramel mixture over warm cake in pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Spread with remaining batter. Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool at least 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream, drizzle with toppings and sprinkle with pecans. Store loosely covered.

CHOCOLATE TURTLES

Steps:

• In a double boiler or microwave, melt caramels and milk. Stir until smooth. Place pecan halves in groups of three on a greased baking sheet. Spoon melted caramel over pecans (1 scant tablespoon over each cluster). , Refrigerate. Melt chocolate chips and shortening; spread over clusters. Keep refrigerated.