Introduction

Turtle Cookies are a delightful treat combining rich chocolate cookie dough, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel. Finished with an optional chocolate drizzle, these cookies offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The image shows a white plate filled with round cookies, each cookie having three main layers. The bottom layer is a rough, dark brown circle covered in chopped nuts, giving it a crunchy texture. The middle layer is smooth and glossy milk chocolate forming a thick circle, while the top layer is a shiny caramel circle centered in the cookie. Thin, dark chocolate lines are drizzled on top of the caramel, adding a decorative touch. The white marbled surface is visible around the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour (125 grams)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (28 grams)
1/4 teaspoon salt
½ cup butter (113 grams)
2/3 cup granulated sugar (134 grams)
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
Optional: 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate for drizzling

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract and mix well.
Step 3: Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for one hour.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 5: Whisk the egg white in a small bowl until frothy. Place the chopped pecans in another shallow bowl.
Step 6: Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it into 20 small balls. Dip each ball first in the frothy egg white, then roll and press into the chopped pecans. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7: Use the back of a small measuring spoon to gently make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.
Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just set. Avoid over-baking, as the cookies will harden as they cool.
Step 9: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently re-press the indentations with a small spoon if needed.
Step 10: In a microwavable bowl, combine caramel bits and water. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until fully melted (1-2 minutes). Spoon melted caramel into the cookie indentations.
Step 11: (Optional) Melt semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler or microwave until smooth. Drizzle the cookies with chocolate and sprinkle with flake salt if desired.

Tips & Variations

Freeze the cookie dough before baking for easy make-ahead treats, or freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Swap pecans for walnuts if preferred, or add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for extra warmth.
For a nut-free version, skip the pecans and roll the dough balls in crushed graham crackers instead.

Storage

Store baked Turtle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep longer, freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen cookies briefly in a microwave or warm oven to soften the caramel before serving.

How to Serve

A white plate holds several round cookies stacked closely together on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three distinct layers: a crunchy outer ring made of small nut pieces forming a textured dark brown border, a smooth, shiny caramel circle in the center with a rich amber color, and a drizzle of dark chocolate layered in thin lines across the top of the caramel, adding a glossy finish. The overall look is a mix of rough nut texture with smooth, glossy caramel and chocolate layers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter for the cookie dough?

It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

How do I keep the caramel from hardening too quickly?

Serve the cookies shortly after adding the caramel, or gently warm the filled cookies before serving to soften the caramel if it has hardened in storage.