Turtle Cookies

These insanely delicious turtle cookies start with a chocolate batter and are loaded with caramel pieces, pecans, and chocolate chips. 

Chocolate caramel cookies are soft & chewy plus look at those puddles of caramel! Ready to eat in 30 minutes, you don’t have to chill the cookie dough!

These cookies are the right texture, amazing chocolatey and caramel flavor, decadent but not overboard…they are a new Christmas fave in my house! Something a little different but loved by all. Great recipe! 
-Emily

Why You’ll Love Turtle Cookies

• loaded with caramel pieces, pecans and chocolate chips
• easy and quick to make because you don’t refrigerate the dough before baking
• chewy on the inside
• a fantastic Christmas cookie

If you like cookies that are slightly crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, these will hit the spot.

Plus the combination of chocolate, pecans and caramel is on point.

And the best part is that you can modify the amount of add-ins you want. Want more pecans? Add them! More chocolate? Oh yes! Bigger puddles of caramel? Do it. 

I’m thinking these turtle cookies will look pretty good on a Christmas cookie platter! 

What You’ll Need

• all purpose flour – flour is necessary to build structure in cookies
• cocoa powder: adds deep chocolate flavor
• baking soda – helps to leaven and lift the dough
• unsalted butter – adds flavor and and tender texture
• brown sugar – adds sweetness & flavor, keeps the cookies moist and adds chewiness
• granulated sugar – adds sweetness, flavor and encourages browning
• egg – binds the cookies together by providing structure
• vanilla extract – adds flavor
• caramel squares – cut into small pieces, I recommend Kraft caramel squares 
• chopped pecans – or walnuts, your choice!
• semi-sweet chocolate chips – I used a mix of regular and mini size

How to Make Turtle Cookies

1. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking together together. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. 
3. Add in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture and the mix-ins. Mix just until combined. The dough will be very thick!
4. Use a cookie scoop to form dough balls, pressing addition add-ins to the outside of each cookie.
5. Bake on a silicone lined baking sheet for 10-14 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies. Cool for 10 minute before transferring to a cooling rack. 

How to Freeze Turtle Cookie Dough

Portion the dough into cookie dough balls. Press extra caramel pieces, pecans and chocolate chips into the outside of the dough.

Place them on baking sheet lined with a silicone mat. You can place the dough balls close together since you won’t be baking them.

Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the cookies are frozen solid, about 1 hour.

Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a ziplock freezer bag. Label the bag with baking directions.

Freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months.

To bake: remove the dough from the freezer. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF. Bake for 14-17 minutes. Frozen cookies may need to bake for 1-2 minutes longer.

Pro Tips

Properly measure the all purpose flour using the spoon and sweep method.

Use room temperature butter for easier creaming of the butter and sugar.

I learned that I prefer using caramel squares for this recipe over caramel bits. Chop the caramel squares into smaller pieces. The caramel squares melt more naturally in the oven creating beautiful puddles of caramel throughout the cookie. 

Use a cookie scoop to form uniform balls. 

Press extra caramel pieces, pecans, and chocolate chips on the outside of the dough balls before baking for a loaded cookie presentation like the photos!

Want to make this cookie dough a day in advance? Follow the directions to make the dough, then wrap it well in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

These cookies turned out perfectly! I made several batches and everyone that received them told me that they loved them! 

-Christine

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