BUTTER PECAN TURTLE COOKIES: Irresistably Good Holiday Cookie Made Easy: National Cookie Day!

Today is National Cookie Day, and it's a great day to get a head-start on those holiday cookies. I love Retro Ads with Recipes, and this one is especially fun for the holidays. Note the wreath in the window, and the Tagline: "Land O Lakes Butter Pecan Turtles. The irresistibly good Holiday Cookie Made Easy."

Of course, being a Land O Lakes advertisement, it's all about butter! I love to bake with butter. These Butter Pecan Turtle Cookies are delicious. And, there are no calories! Right?

Butter Pecan Turtle Cookies

Crust 
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Land O Lakes Sweet Cream Butter, softened

Caramel Layer 
2/3 cups Land O Lakes Sweet Cream Butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup whole pecan halves (not chopped)
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions 
Preheat Oven to 350°.
In 3 quart bowl combine crust ingredients. Mix at medium speed, scraping sides of bowl often, 2-3 minutes or until well mixed and particles are fine. Pat firmly into ungreased 13x9x2" pan.
Sprinkle pecans evenly over unbaked crust.

Prepare caramel layer
In heavy 1-quart saucepan combine brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until entire surface of mixture begins to boil. Boil 1/2 to 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Pour Caramel Layer evenly over pecans and crust.
Bake near center of 350° oven for 18-22 minutes, or until entire caramel layer is bubbly and crust is light golden brown.
Remove from oven.
Immediately sprinkle with chips. Allow chips to melt slightly (2-3 minutes). Slightly swirl chips as they melt; leave some whole for a marbled effect. Do not spread chips.
Cool completely; Cut into 3-4 dozen bars.