Ghastly Pear Ghosts

Ingredients

• 9 medium ripe Bosc pears
• 9 Popsicle sticks
• 2 packages (14 ounces each) caramels
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 pounds white candy coating disks
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons shortening, divided
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup orange candy, coating disks

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. Wash and thoroughly dry pears; insert a Popsicle stick into the top of each.
2. In a microwave, melt caramels and water; stir until smooth. Dip each pear into caramel mixture; turn to coat. Place on prepared pan; let stand until set.
3. Melt white candy coating and 2 tablespoons shortening at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Dip pears into coating; allow excess to drip off. Return to pan; let stand until set.
4. In the same microwave, melt chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening; stir until smooth. Repeat with orange candy coating and 1 teaspoon shortening. Decorate ghost faces; let stand until set.