Description
Chocolate Turtle Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic turtle candy. Rich chocolate dough, a crunchy pecan coating, and a gooey caramel center make these cookies irresistible. Finished with a drizzle of smooth semisweet chocolate, these treats are a perfect combination of salty, sweet, and chocolatey goodness—ideal for sharing or indulging in on your own!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 large egg, separated
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups pecans, finely chopped
- 14 soft caramel candies, unwrapped
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolk and wet ingredients: Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until the dough is smooth.
- Prepare pecan coating: In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into the egg white, then roll in the finely chopped pecans. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are set. Remove from the oven and immediately press a caramel candy into the center of each cookie.
- Cool and drizzle: Let the cookies cool on wire racks. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the semisweet chocolate and heavy cream over low heat, stirring until smooth. Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the melted chocolate over the top.
Notes
- For a fun variation, try using milk chocolate or dark chocolate for the drizzle.
- If you can’t find soft caramel candies, you can use individually wrapped caramels and soften them slightly in the microwave before pressing them into the cookies.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Make sure to press the caramel into the cookie immediately after baking, while they’re still soft, to ensure it sticks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chocolate cookies, turtle cookies, caramel cookies, pecan cookies, chocolate turtle, easy cookies, holiday cookies, sweet treats