Upside Down Turtle Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 caramels
• 24 pecan halves

Directions

1. 1

   Combine flour, chopped pecans, baking soda and salt, set aside.

2. 2

   Melt chocolate chips and butter in another bowl, add brown sugar, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Stir into the flour mixture until just moistened.

3. 3

   Fill greased muffin tin 3/4 way full. Press a caramel into the center of each cup. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes, if testing with a toothpick make sure not to test the caramel.

4. 4

   Cool for a minute and turn out upside down onto a baking sheet. Top with 1 caramel and bake 1-2 minutes more. Arrange the pecan halves in the caramel.