Turtle…it’s a powerful word. It might even lead to love. One of the first times Patrick and I hung out, I casually invited him to see the new movie Pride and Prejudice (2005). When he showed up to the theater, he was met by my best friend, two of my roommates, my sister, my best friend’s mom, and my mom. As the lights dimmed and Jane Austin’s classic came to life, he sunk deep into his chair and wondered what he had gotten himself into…until all was made right with a simple offering of “turtle?” (aka a chocolate covered pecan caramel cluster) Although he didn’t know what a turtle was, he bravely accepted. We were married 4 months later.
What are Turtle Cookies?
So what exactly are Turtle Cookies you might ask? Turtle Cookies are the delectable Turtle chocolates Patrick and I bonded over in cookie form. They are chocolate cookie dough rolled in chopped pecans then filled with luscious caramel then drizzled with melted chocolate. In this Turtle Cookie recipe, I transform them into triple chocolate Turtle Cookies by also rolling the dough in mini chocolate chips. Because more chocolate = more YUM.
Turtle Cookie Recipe
Now we can devour these Turtle Cookies in the privacy of our own home without sharing with my best friend, my roommate, my sister…and that’s a relief because it is very hard to share these ridiculously addicting cookies. I made them New Year’s Day and had to exercise all my self control to save them for our guests. Usually cookies don’t call to me that much but these Turtle Cookies scream to me! After all, their chocolate dough is rolled in mini chocolate chips and pecans then filled with luscious caramel then drizzled with more chocolate. Scream away.
How to Make Turtle Cookies
Turtle Cookies are very simple to make. Firsts, you will mix the dry ingredients together of flour, cocoa, and salt and then you will cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together. I use both granulated sugar and brown sugar because granulated sugar does the sugar thing and makes them sweet while brown sugar imparts a slight molasses flavor and and makes them soft and chewier. Once you’ve creamed the butter and sugars together, you’ll add the eggs, milk, molasses and vanilla. Next, reduce speed to low so the dry ingredients don’t fly all over the counter then add flour and mix just combined. Next, we chill the dough for 2 hours. Chilling is essential otherwise the dough will be too sticky to form into balls and you’ll end up with cookie dough all over your hands. Chilling also prevents the Turtle Cookies from spreading too much when baked which is essential to create our thumbprint of caramel. Once the dough has chilled, we form cookie balls then roll them into a mixture of mini chocolate chips and pecan pieces. Make sure you press the chocolate chips and pecans into the dough so they stick when the cookie dough spreads in the oven. To make the thumbprint, use the back of a ½ teaspoon and press lightly into the center of each dough ball. I like using a measuring spoon because it creates uniform thumbprints. After the cookies bake, the thumbprint will puff slightly, so use the same teaspoon to gently re-press the indentation. The caramel filling is made by microwaving caramels and cream together in the microwave. I use Kraft soft caramels. They can be found in the candy section of your grocery store. Finally, melt your chocolate in the microwave and drizzle away! Now I realize you have probably made resolutions about eating healthier and I should be posting a salad recipe (that’s coming) but I am too in love with these Triple Chocolate Turtle Cookies to not share them right now. And you will be too. Love at first bite. Turtle?
HOW DO I STORE TURTLE COOKIES?
Turtle Cookies should be be stored in a airtight container. Make sure the cookies are completely cool, then place parchment paper in between the layers of cookies. Turtle Cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Does the Caramel Stay Soft?
If you use Kraft caramels and follow the recipe, then the caramel will set but it will stay silky, creamy soft so these Turtle Cookies are every bit as delicious days after they were made as they were fresh out of the oven.
CAN I FREEZE TURTLE COOKIES?
Yes, you can freeze Turtle Cookies before or after you fill them with caramel but I find it best to fill them with caramel after.
Bake cookies and and fill with caramel per instructions but do not drizzle with chocolate. Fit as many COOLED baked Turtle Cookies on a parchment/nonstick mat lined baking sheet without touching. Place the baking sheet(s) in the freezer and freeze until solid (about 1 hour). Transfer to a freezer size plastic bag and squeeze out excess air in order to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, remove the cookies from the bag and let them come to room temperature on the counter. This will prevent condensation. Drizzle with chocolate and serve.
Can you Freeze Turtle Cookie Dough?
Yes, you can freeze the Turtle Cookie dough and shape them a a later time.
Roll balls per instructions and fit as many as you can on a parchment/nonstick lined baking sheet without touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the balls until outsides are hard (about 1-2 hours). Transfer to a freezer size plastic bag and squeeze out excess air to prevent freeze burn. Cookie dough should freeze well for up to 3 months. Defrost cookie dough in the refrigerator then proceed to shape, bake an fill cookies per recipe instructions.
Looking for more Cookie Recipes?
Homemade Little Debbie’s Cookies Caramel Cookies Nutella Cookies Soft and Chewy S’more Cookies Sea Salt Oreo Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies
Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Holiday Cookies 2010 Special Issue Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
