Turtle Cookies

These homemade Turtle Cookies are just like the chocolates except soft and chewy. With a caramel thumbprint center, you can’t beat this nutty chocolate caramel combination.

Cookie and Caramel, with  turtle Cookie

One of my favourite chocolates ever is turtle candies, so when a friend made me some of her Turtle Thumbprint Cookies for our annual holiday cookie exchange, I fell in love at first taste.

This was one recipe that I immediately got from her, one that she got from a ladies magazine, yet unknown which one so I can’t give credit.

Yet credit should be given because wow, this is one excellent turtle cookie recipe. It was a soft and chewy chocolate cookie, rolled in pecans to get that perfect crunch.

A close up of food on a rack, with turtle Cookie

Then, the soft caramel thumbprint center really completes this cookie treat. It may be my new favourite, along with these classic Soft Ginger Cookies.

These turtle thumbprint cookies are for all the chocolate and caramel lover out there. It deserves to be the top of the list for holiday baking, and of course baking exchanges.

These are the perfect christmas cookies, and will make you love cookie season even more.

Many turtle Cookies

There might be more steps to make this when compared to regular chocolate cookies – yet it’s so worth it.

Compared to Turtles chocolates, these cookies resemble it in taste, yet are much softer and chewy. It is a delicious cookie recipe.

A close up of a piece of turtle Cookie

Ingredients Required

These Caramel Pecan Turtle Cookies have a few steps yet are simple to make. The full recipe is in the recipe card below, yet here are the required ingredients to make my new favorite cookie:

  • all purpose Flour
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Butter
  • White Sugar
  • Egg Yolk
  • Milk
  • Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Egg Whites
  • Pecans, finely chopped
  • Caramel Candies
  • Heavy Cream
turtle Cookie on a rack

How to make Turtle Cookies

Combine flour and cocoa in a medium bowl, and set aside. Using an electric mixer on medium speed (or a stand mixer using a paddle attachment), beat butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add in the egg yolk, milk and vanilla, and mix again. On low speed, stir in the dry ingredients until combined.

When the cookie dough is in one ball from mixing, wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Once the dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat the egg whites in a small bowl, and have finely chopped pecan pieces in a separate bowl. Make 1-inch balls with the batter, then dip each ball into the beaten egg whites.

Then roll each cookie dough balls in the pecans. Place each ball a prepared baking sheet, which is parchment paper lined onto a baking pan.

Make sure to place them about 2 inches apart.

Using the back of a small round teaspoon measuring spoon, indent the middle of each dough ball, making sure they stay in cookie form.

Bake for 11-13 minutes then take out of the oven and gently re-make the indents. Transfer cookies to a wire rack (cooling rack).

A close up of food, with Cookie and Caramel turtle Cookie

Using a microwave-safe bowl, add in the cream and caramel bits and cook. Stir after 20 second increments.

Once melted, use a small spoon to pour the caramel mixture into each cookie indent. When caramel centre is firm, they are ready to enjoy.

Since it’s melted caramel and cream, the caramel filling won’t harden up, yet will stay soft. Gooey caramel is the best, I think it might be the best part.

Can you freeze Turtle Cookies?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze turtle cookies. Simply take out how ever many you need, allow to thaw and enjoy!

Personally I like to refrigerate them myself, as they tend to go very fast. I put some in an airtight container in the fridge and when the craving strikes, you can take out one by one and enjoy.

Right out of the fridge the caramel centres are soft and gooey too, which is nice.

If you make only one holiday cookie this year, make it this turtle cookies recipe. Of course I’m also partial to my other favourite holiday treats like Maple Pecan Butter Tarts, Chocolate Pecan Tart, and Classic Pecan Pie Bars. They are both delicious recipes worthy to try.

Can you tell I have a mad-love for pecans during the holidays?

A close up of food, with Cookie and Caramel turtle Cookie

For those that want an eggnog taste to their holiday desserts, I also suggest trying these Eggnog Cookies or Eggnog Cupcakes.

All of these chocolate turtle cookies won’t disappoint, whether they are for yourself or for holiday parties. For a cookie that tastes like a classic candy enjoyed for generations, enjoy this recipe.

Chewy moist chocolate, gooey soft caramel and crunchy pecans – really, what more could you want in a cookie?! These easy turtle cookies are addicting, just like a box of chocolates.

A bunch of different types of chocolate turtle Cookie
A close up of food on a rack, with turtle Cookie

Turtle Cookies

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Refgrigeration Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

These homemade Turtle Cookies are just like the chocolates except soft and chewy. With a caramel thumbprint center, you can't beat this nutty chocolate caramel combination.

Ingredients

FOR COOKIE

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 2/3 cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg yolk
  • 3 tbsp Milk
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract

FOR COATING

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup Pecans, finely chopped

FOR CARAMEL FILLING

  • 16 Caramel Candies
  • 3 tsp Heavy Cream

Instructions

  1. Combine flour and cocoa and set aside
  2. Using a mixer on medium, combine butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in egg yolk, milk and vanilla extract and mix again. On low, stir in the flour mixture until combined. 
  3. Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour
  4. Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  5. Beat the egg whites in a small bowl and have finely chopped pecans in another bowl. Roll dough into 1" round balls, then dip each ball into the beaten egg whites then roll in the pecans. Place each one on parchment paper lined baking pan about 2" apart.
  6. Using the back of a small round teaspoon measuring spoon, indent the middle of each dough ball.
  7. Bake for 11-13 minutes then take out of the oven and gently re-make the indents. 
  8. Microwave the cream and caramel in a small bowl, stirring after 20 second increments. Once melted, use a small spoon to pour the caramel mixture into each cookie indent. 
  9. Allow to cool for another couple of minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 24 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 139Saturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 16gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Created by Tammi Roy

Tammi Roy is the founder of My Organized Chaos, a Canadian food and lifestyle blog. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is the mom of three beautiful teenage girls. Tammi’s passions are her family, creating and sharing delicious recipes, travelling and photography. Learn more about Tammi.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *