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Turtle Cookies Recipe

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4 from 47 reviews

Delicious Turtle Cookies combining rich cocoa-flavored cookie dough with crunchy pecans and a luscious caramel center. These cookies are baked to perfection with a soft center and a gooey caramel filling, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • ½ Cup salted butter (softened)
  • ½ Cup white granulated sugar
  • ½ Cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ Cup cocoa powder
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Cup pecans (crushed)

Caramel Filling

  • 1 Cup caramels (5 ½ Ounces, 130 Grams)
  • 2 Tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
  2. Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and both sugars. Using an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.
  3. Incorporate Egg: Beat in the egg thoroughly until it is fully mixed with the creamed sugar and butter.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed and gently whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder until the mixture is homogenous.
  5. Fold in Pecans: Once the dough is combined, carefully fold in the crushed pecans to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without overmixing.
  6. Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop, drop balls of the cookie dough onto a baking sheet, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11 minutes until they are set but still soft.
  8. Create Indentations: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a small dish or the back of a tablespoon into the center of each cookie to create an indent for the caramel filling.
  9. Melt Caramel Filling: While the cookies cool on the counter, melt the caramels and water together in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the caramel is smooth and fully melted.
  10. Fill Cookies: Spoon the melted caramel sauce into the indentations of each cookie evenly.
  11. Cool Cookies: Let the filled cookies cool for 20 to 30 minutes or until the caramel has set and is no longer runny, making them ready to enjoy.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to facilitate smooth creaming with the sugars.
  • Use medium heat when melting caramels to avoid burning and to achieve a smooth sauce.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • For a firmer caramel center, refrigerate the cookies after filling for about 15 minutes.