Caramel Nut Chocolate Cookies

Total Time: 39 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 9 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2/3 cup crisco all vegetable shortening
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips (12 ounces)
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 20 -25 caramels, unwrapped and halved

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 375.
• 2 place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies.
• 3 place brown sugar, shortening, water and vanilla in large bowl.
• 4 beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.
• 5 add eggs, beat well.
• 6 combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
• 7 add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended.
• 8 stir in small chocolate chips.
• 9 shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls.
• 10 dip tops in chopped pecans.
• 11 place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.
• 12 press caramel half in center of each ball.
• 13 bake one baking sheet at a time of 375 for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set.
• 14 do not overbake.
• 15 cool 2 minutes on baking sheet.
• 16 remove cookies to foil to cool completely.