These turtle cookies are so decadent and fancy looking you'd be surprised how easy they are to make. They consist of a chocolate cookie base, caramel pieces, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips. The texture is a combination of both chewy and crunchy. The taste is just what it sounds like, a Turtle chocolate in cookie form.
The recipe is quick to make and requires no chilling. The hardest part is chopping up the caramel squares. It is all worth it in the end when you see those beautiful caramel pools!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE Turtle COOKIES
Perfect texture. They have a chewy/fudgy centre with slightly crispy edges.
No dough chilling required. The recipe comes together quickly and the dough does not have to be chilled.
Tastes like turtles chocolates. With pecans, chocolate, and a gooey caramel these cookies definitely have that amazing turtle chocolate flavour.
Fancy cookie. I love regular chocolate chip cookies but sometimes you just want to bake a cookie to impress, these cookies are it!
How to Make Turtle Cookies
Start by preheating you oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Next, start cutting up your caramel squares. You want to cut them into small pieces. If they are big chunks the caramel will pool too much and seep out of the cookie. You do not want to use toffee pieces because you will not get that gooey caramel texture.
Once caramel squares are cut mix them together with the chopped pecans and chocolate chips. Set aside. In a medium sized bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Set bowl aside.
In a large bowl or stand mixer with the paddle attachment on, beat butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Add in the eggs and vanilla, mix again.
Add the flour mixture in and mix till just combined.
Scoop out 1/2 cup of the caramel/pecan/chocolate chip mixture and set aside (you will use this to add on top of the cookies) fold in the remaining mixture.
Scoop 3 tbsp worth of the cookie dough and shape into a ball, I like to use a large cookie/ice cream scoop. Press some of the set aside caramel/pecan/chocolate chip mixture on top of each cookie dough ball.
Place cookie dough balls 3 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet.
Bake cookies for 10-11 minutes or until edges are firm and top looks set.
These cookies usually have some caramel seep out. To correct this, once the cookies are removed from the oven take a round cookie cutter/cup slightly large than the cookies. Place around the cookies and gently swirl it to give the cookies a round shape.
Let cookies cool to room temperature on the baking pan before moving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES SPOONED AND LEVELLED FLOUR MEAN?
Spooned and levelled flour refers to the way of measuring flour. To properly measure flour you should scoop spoonfuls of flour into your measuring cup and then scrape with a knife to level off the access. Scooping the measuring cup directly into your flour cause the flour to compress and getting more than the recipe calls for.
STORING THE COOKIES
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. The cookies stay good for up to four days if stored properly.
What type of Caramel should I use?
You'll want to use Kraft caramel squares or something similar.
Can I use hard toffee pieces?
No, you want to make sure you use a chewy soft caramel to get those nice pools of caramel.
HOW TO GET PERFECTLY ROUND COOKIES
As soon as the baked cookies are pulled from the oven place a round cookie cutter (a little bit large than the cookies) around the cookies and gently swirl it around. This will give your cookie a round shape. If you don’t have a cookie cutter you can use a glass or a jar lid.
CAN I MAKE THE COOKIES SMALLER?
Yes you can. Make the balls 1.5 tbsp in size and bake for about 8 minutes.
If you make these turtle cookies please leave a star rating and comment below!
For more delicious baking ideas you can follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @jessiebakestreats
More Cookie Recipes to Love
- Carmelitas Caramel Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Twix Cookies
- Chewy Caramel Turtle Brownies
- Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Turtle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 C finely chopped caramel squares
- 1/2 C chopped pecans
- 1/2 C semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 & 1/4 C all purpose flour spooned and levelled*
- 1/4 C cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 C salted butter at room temperature
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 1/2 C white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a sharp knife cut caramel squares into small pieces.1/2 C finely chopped caramel squares
- In a bowl mix caramel pieces, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips together, set aside.1/2 C finely chopped caramel squares, 1/2 C chopped pecans, 1/2 C semi sweet chocolate chips
- In a medium sized bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together. Set aside.1 & 1/4 C all purpose flour, 1/4 C cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder
- In a large bowl or stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.1/2 C salted butter, 1/2 C white sugar, 1/2 C brown sugar
- Add in egg and vanilla extract and mix till combined.1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the flour mixture in and mix till just combined.
- Scoop out 1/2 cup of the caramel/pecan/chocolate chip mixture and set aside (you will use this to add on top of the cookies) fold in the remaining mixture.
- Scoop 3 tbsp worth of the cookie dough and shape into a ball, I like to use a large cookie/icecream scoop.
- Press some of the set aside caramel/pecan/chocolate chip mixture on top of each cookie dough ball.
- Place cookie dough balls 3 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes or until edges are set.
- These cookies usually have some caramel seep out. To correct this, once the cookies are removed from the oven take a round cookie cutter/cup slightly large than the cookies. Place around the cookies and gently swirl it to give the cookies a round shape.
- Let cookies cool to room temperature on the baking pan before moving.
Natalie
These might be better than actual Turtles... so good! Perfect combination of chewy and crunchie! Definitely a crowd pleaser!
Jessie M
Thank you for the review Natalie. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Kathi
I made this today and they are very good. A nice, rich cookie treat, but as I’ve gotten older I find the Kraft caramels get too hard when the cookies cool, leaving small hard chunks that last long after the cookie is gone. Not sure if it’s age or the Kraft caramels aren’t as soft as they used to be. So, I am trying them with Werther’s soft caramels tomorrow. Hopefully, that will make them perfect for everyone!
Vinutha Rao
I don't get caramel squares here . Can I freeze caramel sauce n add to the cookies? And can i replace pecans with walnuts?
Jessie M
You can for sure replace the pecans with walnuts. I'm not sure about freezing the caramel sauce, I haven't tried that before, sorry. If you do try it let me know how it turns out.
Joan
Carmel Squares...are those like the Kraft Candy Caramels that are wrapped in clear wrap?
Jessie M
Yes, exactly! 🙂
Sarah Gannaway
I made these with the caramel bits you can buy in the baking aisle and they worked perfectly! These are delish and are making the list for the homemade baked goods baskets we give out to friends and family each Christmas. Thanks!
Jessie M
So happy you enjoyed them!!