Posted by kdipaolo May 15, 2001

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
Water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 cups pecan halves
8 vanilla caramels, each cut into fourths

Chocolate Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
Water
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

With mixer, beat brown sugar, butter, 2 tablespoons water and vanilla until fluffy. Stir in flour and salt until dough holds together. (If dough is dry, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons water, as necessary.)

For each cookie: On ungreased cookie sheet, arrange 3 to 5 pecan halves to resemble head and feet of a turtle. Using a teaspoonful of dough, shape dough around a piece of caramel; press firmly onto center of arrange pecan halves.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until dough is set but not brown. Carefully transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

For chocolate glaze: Beat powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon water, melted chocolate and vanilla until smooth. If necessary stir in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze is of desire consistency.

Dip tops of cooled cookies into glaze.

Yield: 32 cookies.