An easy Turtle Thumbprint Cookies recipe. Decadent chocolate cookies rolled in pecans and filled with soft caramel.
I whipped up these gorgeous cookies with the boys today. This recipe is terrific in that you can have little helpers for almost every step and that can’t really mess anything up :) The cookies are just beautiful and would be perfect to bring to any party this holiday season and simple enough that you can easily make up a batch for your family any night of the week. I love the classic “turtle”combination of caramel, pecans, and chocolate – it just doesn’t get any better than this!
Ingredients:
1 egg, divided
1/2 c butter, room temperature
2/3 c sugar
2 Tbls milk
1 Tbls vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
16 caramels
3 Tbls heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1 tsp shortening
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
Yields about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Directions:
Beat butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar and continue beating until combined and creamy. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla and beat until well combined.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture a little at a time {trying to avoid a cocoa cloud – quite messy!} and beat until well combined.
Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and chill for a couple hours.
Chop the pecans pretty fine…
Enlist helpers to unwrap the caramels.
Heat unwrapped caramels and whipping cream in a small saucepan over low heat until nice and smooth.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll the balls in slightly beaten egg white. Then roll in pecans until coated. Reece did an entire tray all by himself and he’s six. Bryce’s balls were not exactly round per se, but who cares!
Place balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet about one inch apart. Use your thumb to press in the center, making an indention.
If you have a helper with smaller fingers, you may want to secretly use your thumb or else there won’t be a lot of room for the caramel and that, my friends, would be a catastrophe.
Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are set. If the indention has disappeared during baking, use a measuring spoon to re-create the indention. {I actually used a carrot – LOL!}
Be careful not to overfill the cookies…
Once the cookies have cooled, melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave by heating in 15 second intervals, stirring in between.
Drizzle the chocolate over the tops of the cookies and get ready to enjoy!
Aren’t these the prettiest cookies EVER???
And by the way, these cookies aren’t just pretty on the outside, they’re quite yummy on the inside :)
An easy Turtle Thumbprint Cookies recipe. Decadent chocolate cookies rolled in pecans and filled with soft caramel.
Ingredients
- 1 egg, divided
- 1/2 c butter, room temperature
- 2/3 c sugar
- 2 Tbls milk
- 1 Tbls vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 16 caramels
- 3 Tbls heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
- 1 tsp shortening
- 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Beat butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar and continue beating until combined and creamy. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture a little at a time {trying to avoid a cocoa cloud - quite messy!} and beat until well combined.
- Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and chill for a couple hours.
- Chop the pecans pretty fine...
- Enlist helpers to unwrap the caramels.
- Heat unwrapped caramels and whipping cream in a small saucepan over low heat until nice and smooth.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll the balls in slightly beaten egg white. Then roll in pecans until coated. Reece did an entire tray all by himself and he's six. Bryce's balls were not exactly round per se, but who cares!
- Place balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet about one inch apart. Use your thumb to press in the center, making an indention.
- If you have a helper with smaller fingers, you may want to secretly use your thumb or else there won't be a lot of room for the caramel and that, my friends, would be a catastrophe.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are set. If the indention has disappeared during baking, use a measuring spoon to re-create the indention. {I actually used a carrot - LOL!}
- Spoon caramel mixture into the center of the cookies and remove to a wire rack and let cool. {If the caramel has thickened too much, just reheat on low until it reaches a thinner consistency.}
- Be careful not to overfill the cookies...
- Once the cookies have cooled, melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave by heating in 15 second intervals, stirring in between.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the tops of the cookies and get ready to enjoy!
Some of my favorite cookie recipes:
Reese’s Freezer-Friendly Oatmeal Cookies
Connect with me!
Linking up here, Home Stories A2Z, Savvy Southern Style, and My Repurposed Life.
These look YUM!!
Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
http://shonaskye.blogspot.com
Holy shit.
http://www.shilohstaste.com
I wasn’t done typing! Pinned. Will make fo sho.
These look super yummy! Pinning for later!
Oh my goodness! These look so yummy!
Oh my those look delicious! I think I have found the cookie to make for my holiday cookie-exchange in a month or two. Thanks!!
Oh yummy these cookies look AMAZING!
Oh these look sooooo good!!! I love turtles. Thank you for sharing these.
Pinning For Sure!!! And Sharing.
I could go for one of those just about now. Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
Those look A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Pinned and so going to make :)
The Farm Girl
thefarmgirlrecipes.blogspot.com
These look ridiculous! OMG I want it in my mouth right now! :)
Oh, man these look soooo yummy!!! :) Can you make me some?!? lol
Thank you Taylor :) My husband is already requesting these again – he took most of the first batch to work and they disappeared in about 20 minutes :) I think the caramel center just takes it over the top!
YUMMMMM!!! Drooling over here! Your recipes/pictures are always amazing! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Jen
These look so yummy! Pecans are the only nut I like in baking….guess I’ll have to try this recipe! :)
Oh yeah- I could eat those all day long. YUM
Are you kidding me!?! These look delectable…
These look FABULOUS!!!!
These look so delicious, I had to pin them. =)
These pretty much look amazing and perfect for the upcoming holiday season! Just added these to my must-make list–can’t wait to try them! :)
These look amazing! I make a jam and shortbread thumbprint but these top them I am sure. I love turtles candies so I’m making these soon!
Holy Moly these are amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I make a Cream Cheese Thumbprint that is different than the tradition jam one but these are over the top!
Michelle
My mouth is watering looking at these! Oh my hips!
Can you come to my house and make these for me? lol Those look sooooo yummy!!! Thanks for linking up!! :) XOXO
Ooooooh, Trish. I need these in my life!
Oh, my…Wow! These look delish! Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Nici
They look amazing! I will have to try these…
I would love a couple of these right now!
Wow! Talk about yummy! Thanks for sharing at Show & Share, featuring you tomorrow!
I love this. Please link it to my linky party & anything else you have to share. :) Thanks, Peggy. http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/10/whatcha-work-up-wednesday-linky-party-6.html
I am in love with those cookies!
I would love to have you share this (or any other of your recipes) at Wednesday Extravaganza – my Foodie Link Party, and maybe claim a spot with a lifetime feature on my Wall of Fame. Here is the link:
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/10/october-31st-2012.html
Can’t wait to see you there!
YUM! come and join our link party: http://fabricbowsandmore.blogspot.com/
These look super tasty! I have been eating far too much caramel lately.
Not only do these look super yum AND incredibly fall-ish (I can totally see them on a Thanksgiving dessert table), but I love that small children can help. My daughter loves to cook with me and the more recipes I can have lined up with things for her to do, the better. She gets very disappointed when the most she can do is eat the result! Thanks for sharing!
About how many did does the recipe make?
About 2 1/2 dozen. If you don’t have two little ones munching on the dough – maybe 3 dozen :)
Just pinned!!! These are just above the hook!!
These are gorgeous! And I’m sure delicious. Great idea for those holiday cookie exchanges! Pinning. Visiting from Barns & Noodles.
I am drooling right now! Yum! I hope you don’t mind that I pinned this to my food board. :)
I would love it if you would link this up over at F-it Fridays!
http://www.parloandlogi.com/
Wonderful recipe and just perfect to make it with the kids. Love that and I pretty sure they loved it too!
Those are fabulous, definitely on my to do list for December, probably for my Goodie Swap! Thanks for sharing and I love that your 2 precious guys pitched in.
Jenna
Oh my gosh those look amazing! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
What is the texture of the caramel like after it sets? Does it harden and become too difficult for little ones to chew, or stay soft? Thanks! They look delicious.
Very soft – almost a liquid but not. Perfect for little ones and trust me, the caramel is the best part! Thanks for stopping by Bryn!
wow! these look amazing! i’ll save this recipe for when i am on winter break. i’m sure they will be a hit with everyone. thanks for sharing : )
You are so welcome Cathy! Have a great week!
Oh wow these look AMAZING!!!! I am pinning them so I can remember to try them over the holidays! They look fantastic!!!
Thank you Maria! You really must try these cookies – soooo good!
I am bringing this for our family Christmas.
Yay! That just made me so happy! Thanks for letting me know Barbara!
Those look fantastic!
Thanks Megan – they’re super yummy!
OhhhhhhMyGosh these look divine!! I must try these as soon as possible. I found you at Whipper Berry’s Friday party and I am going to like your FB page so I don’t miss updates like these (that will inevitably be detrimental to my waistline). Hope you can stop by or show some FB love if you have a chance! And I am SOOOO going to be a “Mom in Time Out” when I make these and hoard them and don’t share with my 3 boys. #backofftheyreALLmine
Thanks for the great post!
– Claire
Thanks Claire! Stopped by and gave you some Facebook love ;)
These cookies look amazing. I have a link party and would love to have you share this and any other posts. It is called Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party. The link to the party is
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html
I hope to see you there.
Have a great week.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
Trish, These look so yummy. I have already gone to the store and bought the supplies and hope to make them sometime this weekend! :)
Thanks so much for linking up and linking back last week at the Humble Brag! Even though its Black Friday, hope to see you back tomorrow to link up more great projects. Don’t forget, we will be giving away more free ad space! :) Also, YOU WERE FEATURED, so grab a button – you earned it!
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-8/
Thank you so much Jocie!
Oh my gosh, how decadent these look! So beautiful too. Thanks so much for linking up to Inspire Me Wednesday.:)
Mel sent me over to you for directions on these Turtle cookies. Wow, they look awesome. Can’t wait to try and see how mine turn out.
These thumbprints looks divine! I am half ready to go to the store now and buy all the ingrediants…yum!
Visiting from My Girlish Whims link up party…so glad I found your blog! I love new recipes
xo,
LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com
These cookies look sooooooooooooooo cute and adorable!
I would simply call them heavenly-treats :)
Works for me! Thank you so much Winnie!
OMGOODNESS! These look sinful! I would LOVE it if you would share these over on my Friday Link-up!
http://www.parloandlogi.com/f-it-friday-4/
Yum! Your Turtle Thumbprint Cookies look so good! Pinned! Thanks for the yummy share!
Thank you so much Mary!
Oh my, I think a little drop of drool just rolled down my chin. These look so delicious! And what a great idea to involve the little ones too.
Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust
Reece had a great time making these cookies :) They are really spectacular! Thanks for stopping by Michelle!
Oh, man…these look fabulous! Pinning this to my “to-do” board! :) I hopped over from C.R.A.F.T.’s linky party and am so glad I did!! I love your blog! Thanks so much for hosting!
Jade C. @ sweetbabymasonjames.blogapot.com
Thank you so much Jade!
Opps, I meant SHARING – not “hosting.” Tee hee, must be the lack of sleep with my newborn! ;)
I would be saying crazier things than that with a newborn :) Congratulations!
Yum! These look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to give ‘em a try!
Thank you Kathleen! Please give them a try – you won’t be sorry :)
These cookies look beyond amazing!
Thanks Holly!
Those look insanely yummy!!!
WE LOVE turtles around here and those look to die for.
I’d love if you linked this up at my Show & Tell party this week. http://www.gingerlymade.com/2012/12/show-and-tell-4.html
Awesome post! Just perfect for my kids.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
OMG, I LOVE these!!! I attempted something a little similar but in a cookie and I like your better!! Whoa, love it!
They were really amazing Alice :)
Hi im about to make your cookies for a cookie exchange, i saw in one of your coments you said the caramel stays soft and chewy i need to travel with them and stack them ontop of eachother do you think they will stick together or be ok?
The caramel sits below the top of the cookies so it should be fine. Maybe put some wax paper in between each layer. Have fun at the cookie exchange!
Made these a couple days ago I’m not much of a sweet eater but the man has them bout gone he LOVES them mixed up a batch today and will finish tomorrow. Thanks for the awesome recipe!! :)
You are so welcome! I’m glad he enjoyed the recipe :)
I’m going to gain 20 lbs. if I keep looking at your blog! These look SO good! Thanks for sharing!
I’ll take that as a compliment ;) Thanks for stopping by!
Made these last night for my best friend, so easy to make and so good!! I made 2 inch balls and left them in the oven for 15minutes. I also did not have pecans so I rolled them in walnuts, tried one this morning and yummm…next time I will drizzle with white chocolate as well, just for looks. Thank you, my friend loved them.
I’m so happy to hear that Admira! Thank you so much for letting me know :) Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
These look delicious!
New follower! Would love the follow back! =)
Love your blog! Would love for you to link up on A Peek Into My Paradise T.G.I.F. Link Party on Friday!
Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much Cathy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!