Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Chocolate Turtle Cookies are a decadent dessert combining rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans in a soft, buttery cookie base. Perfect for holidays, parties, or cozy nights, these cookies offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors that are easy to make and customizable to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains gluten (can be adapted to gluten-free with substitutions)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 1 cup melted chocolate or chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramel squares
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients measured and ready. Melt the butter gently and chop the pecans and caramel pieces into small, manageable bits for even distribution.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate, Caramel, and Pecans: Gently fold in the chocolate bits or chips, chopped caramel, and pecans, ensuring an even distribution without breaking the dough’s texture.
- Scoop and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This resting time helps the cookies set perfectly with melty caramel and crisp edges.
Notes
- Use high-quality chocolate for best flavor.
- Mix just until combined to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Melt butter carefully to avoid greasy dough.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker, chewier cookies.
- Watch baking time closely; slight underbaking yields gooey centers.
- Substitute pecans with sunflower seeds or omit for nut-free version.
- Use dark chocolate chips for a richer taste.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for added flavor.
- For vegan adaptation, use plant-based butter and flax egg substitute.
- Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a spiced twist.
- Store leftovers in airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze individually wrapped cookies for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes to restore freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Chocolate Turtle Cookies, caramel cookies, pecan cookies, chocolaty cookies, easy cookie recipe, gooey caramel cookies, holiday cookies