Nutty Caramel Clusters

• 25 vanilla caramels
• 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 1 c. sliced almonds
• 1/2 c. cocktail peanuts
• 1/2 c. pecan halves
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips
• 2 tsp. shortening

1. Grease baking sheet or line with wax paper; set aside.
2. In a 1-quart microwave-safe casserole, combine caramels, butter and milk.
3. Cook, uncovered, on High for 1 to 2 minutes or until soft enough to stir smooth, stirring once during cooking.
4. Stir in nuts.
5. Drop from a teaspoon onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. In a 1-cup glass measure, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Cook, uncovered, on High, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until soft enough to stir smooth, stirring once during cooking.
7. Just like caramels, chocolate pieces retain their shape even when melted.
8. Drizzle chocolate over each cluster.
9. Cool to room temperature.
10. Cover and chill until firm.
11. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator. Yields about 25 pieces.

vanilla caramels, butter, milk, almonds, cocktail peanuts, pecan halves, chocolate chips, shortening

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=452489 (may not work)