Description
Deliciously rich Turtle Cookies combining cocoa, chocolate chips, and pecans with a gooey caramel drizzle for the perfect sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-Ins and Toppings
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 12 soft caramels, melted
- 1/2 cup additional chopped pecans for topping
- 1/4 cup melted chocolate for drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended to evenly distribute the leavening and cocoa flavors.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Mix Dry with Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Pecans: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans to evenly distribute throughout the cookie dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each dollop about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Flatten each mound slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are set. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add Caramel and Toppings: Drizzle the melted soft caramels over the cooled cookies, sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top, and finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a classic turtle cookie finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Do not overmix once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- If soft caramels are not melting smoothly, gently warm them in short intervals in the microwave with stirring.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before drizzling caramel and chocolate to prevent melting and running.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
