Chocolate Tortoises you can use for Halloween parties or snacks for Halloween day. picture from © Publications International, Ltd.

Ingredients 

1 (18-ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

30 caramels

Small pecan halves

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Silver dragées

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini (13/4-jnCh) muffin pan cups. 

2. Remove dough from wrapper; place in large bowl. Let dough stand at room temperature 15 minutes.

3. Add powdered sugar, cocoa and vanilla to dough; beat with electric mixer at medium speed until well blended.

4. Shape dough into 30 balls; press onto bottoms and up sides of prepared muffin cups. Bake 10 minutes. Press 1 caramel into each chocolate cup. Return to oven 2 to 3 minutes or until caramels are soft.

5. Working quickly, press 4 small pecans and 1 large pecan into caramel for legs and head. Let cool in pan 5 ninutes. Remove to wire racks, placing cookies pecan-side down; cool completely.

6. Set wire rack over sheet of waxed paper. Place chocolate chips in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. 

7. Microwave additional 1 minute at 30-second intervals until chips are completely melted and smooth. Cut off small corner of bag. Pipe 2 small chocolate dots on pecan head for eye base.

8. Attach 2 dragées to chocolate for eyes. Drizzle remaining chocolate over tops of tortoises as desired. Let stand until chocolate is completely set. Makes 2hz dozen cookies