Turtle Cookies with Caramel

These soft and chewy turtle cookies are the perfect combination of cookie and candy. With chewy caramel, crunchy pecans, and rich chocolate all layered on top of a soft sugar cookie, they get better with each bite

These cookies are one of my favorites to bring to a gathering or bring to a cookie exchange. They are always a hit! One bite and you’ll know why.

Recipe Ingredients

• Salted Butter: If you use un-salted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the cookie batter.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is best for this cookie dough, but you can use light brown sugar.
• Vanilla
• Egg White: Skip the yolk!
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Caramel Squares: I used Kraft caramel squares, but these are also delicious with soft and chewy caramels. If you want to go homemade, make a batch of my soft rum caramels, but don’t add the rum extract.
• Milk
• Pecans: You will need both chopped pecans and whole pecans. You can try other nuts as well.
• Chocolate Chips: I use semi-sweet, but milk or dark chocolate would be great as well.

How To Make Turtle Cookies

Dough:

Cream the butter and sugar together, then add the flour and baking powder.

Form:

Roll out the cookie dough and cut into circles. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake:

Pop the cookies into the oven for about 8 minutes at 350°F.

Caramel:

Once you’ve unwrapped all the caramel, melt them in the microwave. When it’s drizzly, top your cooled cookies with caramel and a sprinkle of the chopped pecans.

Chocolate:

Once the caramel is slightly cooled, melt the chocolate and add a dot on top of the caramel. Immediately press a whole pecan into the top of the chocolate.

Enjoy:

Serve immediately, or transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely and store at room temperature for later!

Bookmark

Tips For Success

Here are a few tips and variations you can try:

• Prep: While your cookies bake, get your caramel ready by unwrapping the caramels. It’s a great task for kiddos to help with!
• Chill: Though you shouldn’t have any issues with spreading, you can refrigerate the dough up to 24 hours if you’d like.
• Rise: These cookies don’t rise much at all, so the thickness you roll out, is how thick they’ll stay.
• Go Slow: Melting chocolate and caramel may feel tricky. It’s best to melt over a double boiler or use a microwave on 50% power. Microwave in short bursts and stir well in between. This helps distribute the heat and prevents the candies from burning.
• Nuts: You can change up the pecans to walnuts, almonds, or even peanuts.
• Salted Caramel: You can even add a flake or two of large flaky sea salt for a salted caramel twist.

Bookmark

Proper Storage

Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.

• Counter: Store in an airtight container with a slice of white bread to keep them soft. Replace the piece of bread every few days or when it feels stale.
• Freezer: I recommend wrapping each individual cookie with plastic wrap to ensure they do not get freezer burn. Then place the cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to six months. Be sure to defrost them fully at room temperature before biting into it!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make turtle cookies ahead of time?

Yes, these cookies stay soft for days and freeze well. You can make them in advance and store them at room temperature or in the freezer.

→ How do I prevent the caramel from hardening too fast?

Work quickly once the caramel is melted and drizzle it onto the cooled cookies. Melt it in short microwave bursts and stir well to keep it smooth and pourable.

→ What type of chocolate works best for topping?

Semi-sweet chocolate is commonly used, but milk or dark chocolate are also great choices depending on your flavor preference.

→ Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! A homemade soft caramel works beautifully—just ensure it’s thick enough to set on the cookie without running off.

→ Are there alternatives to pecans in these cookies?

Yes, you can swap pecans with walnuts, almonds, or peanuts for a different flavor or texture.

→ Do I need to chill the cookie dough?

No chilling is required, though you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours if desired.