Turtle cookies
How to make Turtle Cookies:
To make this recipe even easier, you could make the cookie dough one day in advance. Wrap it really well and refrigerate it.
Can I freeze turtle cookies?
You have two options for freezing these turtle cookies. The first option is to make the cookie dough, freeze it, and use it to make the cookies. The second option for freezing thumbprint cookies is to follow the recipe completely and make all cookies, allow them to cool completely, and then place them in a gallon freezer bag. When you are ready to eat them, allow them to come to room temperature on your counter top.
CONSIDER TRYING THESE POPULAR HOLIDAY TREATS:
- Homemade Caramels
- Caramel Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods
- Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies
- Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake
- Caramel Hot Chocolate
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Turtle thumbprint cookies are delicious chocolate cookies, rolled in pecans, filled with melted caramel and drizzled with melted chocolate.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter 1 stick
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg , separated
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans , finely chopped
- 2/3 cup Kraft Caramel Bits or regular caramels, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon water
- Combine flour, cocoa and salt. In a separate bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, just until combined. Chill dough in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy. Place chopped pecans in another shallow bowl. Remove dough from fridge and roll into small balls (however many cookies you want--I made 20 small ones).
- Roll each dough ball in the frothy egg whites, and then roll and press in the chopped pecans. Place on a greased baking sheet.
- Use the back of a small measuring spoon to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.
Bake at 350 Degrees F for about 10-12 minutes, or just until set. Don't over-bake as cookies will harden as they cool.
- As the cookies come out of the oven, gently re-press the indentations with a small spoon.
- In a microwavable bowl mix the caramel bits and water. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until caramel is melted (1-2 minutes). Pour small spoonfuls of caramel into the indented cookies. *Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate (or sprinkle with sea salt)!
Recipe Video
Adapted from The Kitchen is My Playground
Have you tried this recipe?!
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I originally shared this recipe December 2013. I updated in November 2017 with new photos and clearer instructions.
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Dani says
January 15, 2018 at 10:25 amMy husband is all about his cookies and he said these are Thē BEST cookies he has ever had. I had to make extra so he could had everyone at work try them. Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Dylan Slemons says
February 8, 2018 at 6:50 pmI made these as my first cookie recipe ever, and they turned out great!!! I suggest buying caramel from Chick-Fil-A to use on the cookies! They come with the catering food trays but you can buy some for only $2 and it makes the cookie heavenly!
Sali says
December 16, 2018 at 12:17 pmThe caramel hardened a lot. Is it ok to microwave them before serving to get it a bit softer? I put them in the freezer as suggested for 15 mins and now they are really hard.
Lauren Allen says
January 6, 2019 at 4:01 pmThis sounds like the caramel was heated too much and that’s why it was so hard. I would not heat them in the microwave!
Linda says
December 22, 2018 at 6:05 pmWhat kind of chocalate to drizzle over. Can you use morsels
Lauren Allen says
December 23, 2018 at 9:57 amAny chocolate that melts well. If using chocolate chips, just make sure it’s a high quality brand that will melt 🙂
Rhonda says
May 27, 2019 at 1:44 pmThis is a old Betty Crocker Holliday cookbook that my grandmother had! I have been making these for 20 + years . Everybody who has had them, LOVES them!!?