Double Chocolate And Caramel Bars Cookie Exchange Quantity Recipes

TURTLE SHORTBREAD COOKIES (COOKIE EXCHANGE QUANTITY)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix butter, sugar and almond extract. Stir in flour and salt. (If dough is crumbly, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons additional softened butter or stick margarine.)
• Divide dough into 12 equal parts. Roll each part into 1/4-inch thick circle. (If dough is sticky, chill about 15 minutes.) Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Place wedges 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until melted. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 1 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through heating time, until melted and thin enough to drizzle.
• Dip 2 straight edges of each cookie into melted caramel, then into chopped pecans. (If caramel thickens, add up to 1 teaspoon water and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramel softens.)
• Place a dot of melted chocolate on top of each cookie; place pecan half on chocolate. Drizzle remaining chocolate on tops of cookies.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE-TOPPED CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream, 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon corn syrup to a full boil over medium heat; turn off heat. Add dark chocolate chips; let stand 5 minutes without stirring. After 5 minutes, stir slowly with wire whisk until chocolate chips are melted and mixture is smooth and glossy; set aside.
• In large bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through mixture in opposite directions), until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and pecans. Press mixture into ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, the salt and condensed milk to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over crust; spread evenly. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Pour chocolate truffle topping over caramel layer; spread evenly. Cool 1 hour at room temperature; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. For bars, cut into 15 rows by 5 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining bars.