Friday, December 16, 2011

Fantastic Turtles with Homemade Caramel



Turtles with homemade caramel are really
easy to make and give that WOW factor
for a nice gift.


Lots of my friends prefer nuts and chews to the
cream centers so turtles are a great choice for them.



Easy Homemade Caramel Recipe

1 C. melted butter
1 C. light corn syrup
2 C. brown sugar
1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Before you begin any candy recipe, you should
calibrate your thermometer.  In the mountains here,
it is going to boil at a different temperature than at
sea level.  Mine boils at 200 and water should boil
at 212, so I must subtract 12 degrees off any recipe
I make.

In a heavy saucepan, mix the above.  Bring to a boil,
stirring constantly on medium high.  Turn the heat down
and keep it on low to keep the caramel from scorching.
After it comes to a boil wash down the sides of the
pan with a pastry brush and water (to catch any 
undissolved sugar).  

When the candy reaches 238 (sea level - so I cooked
 mine to 226) pull it off the heat and stir in 1 tsp. vanilla.

Pour into a buttered pan for caramels that you
cut and dip or spoon onto a pan of nuts that
you want to make into turtles.

Top with melted chocolate.  I use dipping chocolate
but you need to melt it and then let it cool to about
90 degrees, stirring in between each few.  If you don't
let it cool and then stir it constantly it will streak.
Get a little instant read thermometer to make sure
that it is cool enough.  Also you should work with
dipping chocolate in a room that is between 65 and70
degrees.
(I usually use Peters, Guittard or Merckens dipping
chocolate.  It can be purchased online if you don't
have any specialty stores that sell it.)

You can also top it with chocolate molding discs
if you don't want to mess with real chocolate.  It
won't taste as good, but the newer discs are pretty
good.  Chocolate chips work too with just a touch
of shortening - which helps it from streaking, but
still cool it.  


Put it in a pretty box with colored
tissue for a great presentation.


Fill a parchment paper lined 
cookie sheet with broken pecan
pieces.  Spoon the hot caramel by soup
spoonfuls onto the nuts leaving space between.


I have never done this before, but I decided to use
a small round cookie cutter to make the turtles
into a perfect round shape.

I love how they look perfectly round!

You can either top the turtles with chocolate or
you can dip the entire turtle.  I do both but today
I just spooned and swirled chocolate on the tops.


Now I want to show my beautiful
bangle bracelets that I received
this week in the mail from Marsha
at 

Marsha designs and sells exquisite jewelry
and she had a giveaway.  I got to choose which
color of stone I wanted.  I have worn them
every day!  


They are dressy but look great
with a sweater or leather jacket and jeans.
Visit Marsha's stylish blog and Etsy shop.
There is something for all price ranges.
 She always has
the latest in fashion and everything is just a 
visual delight.


I will be posting this with
Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

21 comments:

  1. They were my MIL's favorites..thank you..Happy Christmas to you~

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  2. LOVE thos bangles and the turtles look fantastic! anne

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  3. I am not into bling, but that candy makes my heart sing!
    It looks wonderful> I must get a new candy thermometer!
    Lucky recipients!

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  4. I bet you give some of these out as gifts, looks wonderful. Richard

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  5. Now these candies are sensational. I love your bangles too. You've got it all together, Jackie!!! xoxo

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  6. Turtles are my biggest chocolate candy weakness - especially those made with dark chocolate. This is a fantastic recipe I'd love to try!

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  7. The candy looks great Jacqueline, and I'm lovin' your pretty new bracelets-enjoy:@)

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  8. Ok, these are right down my alley. I love Nuts and Chews. Another recipe to use.... thanks for sharing such yummy recipes. Jacqueline, come check out my Peacock and Festive Red post.
    http://lifeandlinda.blogspot.com/2011/12/festive-red-peacocks.html

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  9. Homemade Turtles.....oh my!! I need a dozen of those. I hope Santa brings me some bangles. hehe. Happy Holidays!!

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  10. Oh, Jacqueline, wow! Those look fantastic! You have a great talent for making beautiful and delicious creations. I think it runs in the family (Joni, Tati, Audra...) I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
    Hugs, Beth

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  11. I can't think of anything better...and I bet that homemade caramel is just wonderful!

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  12. These couldn't look any more yummy! Your friends are very lucky.

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  13. Someone will be very happy to open that box of homemade turtles! You make it sound easy, but I just know that when I get out a candy thermometer the whole thing turns into a science experiment gone bad!

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  14. J, those turtles make me swoon. What a lovely gift they would make for friends. And, thank you so very much for the mention of my jewelry. Totally awesome of you, ladybug...have a wonderful Christmas !!

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  15. Yumm. I love turtles. Love the bracelets too!

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  16. I will be making these this afternoon. Into making cookies right now, but candies are next in line.

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  17. That is the most gorgeous
    way to display that delicious candy, with all the nuts around it. YUM!!
    Thank for stopping by my post and leaving your nice comment.

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  18. Lucky you! Those bangles are gorgeous. Those caramel turtles look like they'd make the holidays sweet!

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  19. These look absolutely amazing, and I ADORE the glitzy, pink and silver packaging! Perfect!

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  20. I have always liked turtles and they look fabulous so perfectly round -- great idea. Joni

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  21. wow definitely caramelnya delicious flavor, not less beautiful parcel

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