Turtle Pretzel Sticks

Yield: 24 pretzel sticks

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) bag caramels
• 2 teaspoons water
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 (10 ounce) bag pretzel rods
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening (not butter or margarine)
• 1 cup very finely chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Unwrap caramels and place in a 2 cup glass measuring cup. Add water.
2. Microwave on HIGH (100 percent) power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until caramels are melted and smooth. (For ease of stirring, coat spoon with cooking spray.)
3. Coat a sheet of foil with cooking spray. Dip half of each pretzel into hot caramel; twirl to coat. Let excess drip from pretzel, and then place on coated foil.
4. Place chocolate chips and shortening in a clean 2 cup glass measuring cup.
5. Microwave on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until shortening melts, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until chocolate melts.
6. Dip caramel-coated end of pretzel sticks into chocolate; roll tips in nuts.
7. Refrigerate immediately.
8. Remove from refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving.