Turtle Cookies

Turtle cookies are rich, decadent cookies that combine all the flavors of the classic turtle candy: chocolate, caramel, and pecans. Chewy chocolate cookies are filled with caramel bits and rolled in chopped pecans.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Resting time 1

Total Time 1 25

Servings cookies

Ingredients

1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter room temperature
¾ cup (160 g) brown sugar
½ cup (99 g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (270 g) all purpose flour
¾ cup (63 g) natural cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
11 ounces (312 g) caramel bits
1 ½ cups (171 g) pecans chopped

Instructions

In a large bowl, add butter and sugars. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together until light and fluffy, about a minute. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Cream together until fluffy.
In a separate bowl, whisk (or sift) together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.
Gradually stir dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined. Add caramel bits and stir until just combined.
Cover bowl or wrap dough in wax paper. Chill for 1 hour in the refrigerator. Refrigerating helps the flavors meld and also creates a firm dough that's easier to roll into balls.
Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Remove dough from refrigerator. Scoop dough using a 1.5 tablespoon (medium) cookie scoop or shape by hand into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in the chopped pecans.
Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until tops have started to crack. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Storage: Cookies will keep for 5-7 days in a sealed container. To help keep cookies fresh, you can place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. Replace the bread slice as needed.
Dough storage: Raw cookie dough will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. Cookie dough balls (and baked cookies) freeze well, up to 3 months in a sealed plastic container or freezer bag. Allow frozen balls to thaw for up to 10 minutes on the baking sheet before baking, or add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Caramel: If you can’t find caramel bits at your local store, you can also dice up any soft caramels into pieces.
More tips: Be sure to check out my 10 tips for baking cookies, based on reader comments and questions!

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