My holiday shopping is nearly complete. I’ve purchased fun stuff for all of the kidlets in our extended family, all kinds of goodies for stockings, and a fair amount for myself too! Nearly all of it was done online, which – by the way- is extremely DANGEROUS!! I’m completely and totally, *seriously* an online shopping addict! The internet has made spending far too easy to do. Sites like Nordstrom, Zappos, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Piperlime, Ugg, Chefs and ShoeBuy offer free shipping on both delivery and returns. So easy to order, decide on whether or not you like something, and then just send it on back (for free) if you don’t (or if you realize you’ve spent money that you don’t really have!) Oh dear. I have zero shopping willpower. At least I can head into the kitchen once in a while and take a break from all of the online temptation to make cookies. My latest holiday cookie: Chocolate Turtle Cookies
What could be better than a chocolate cookie with a puddle of caramel tucked into the middle? Nothing. No one in my family likes pecans except me, so I made a few with the pecans for me and the rest with just the caramel puddle. Everyone’s happy.
These are so easy to make. The chocolate cookie dough is rolled into balls and placed on your cookie sheets.
Then someone is given the task of placing a thumbprint into each cookie. Kids could get into this one (if you want them to, that is!)
After 8 minutes or so, the cookies are baked and set enough to take out of the oven. You’ll go through each of them with a small spoon and give them a little press in the middle to make sure you’ve got a nice impression in the middle of each cookie. Then the caramel puddles… caramels melted with half & half cream. A little spoonful into each cookie is all you need.
And the pecans (or not) are placed on top! The caramel sets up eventually so it isn’t drippy and sticky, but I’d still store them in a single layer if you’re able to do so. And they’re kinda guaranteed to make you forget about online shopping… at least for a little while.
But there was that dress I was eyeing… and these boots too and these platform sandals and these polka dot ski pants… and I’m DYING over these cute cupcake ornaments… See? I told you I have a problem…
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or chocolate extract (see *tips)
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped and melted (I use a glass dish in the microwave)
- 2½ cups Gold Medal® All-Purpose Flour
- 20 square caramels, unwrapped
- ¼ cup half and half cream
- 42 pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats (or spray with nonstick spray).
- Use an electric mixer and a large bowl to combine the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and extract, then chocolate. Add the flour and mix until combined.
- Shape into 1-inch balls. Place the dough balls on a cookie sheet 2-inches apart, and make a thumbprint in each ball. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through and not super soft
- When you take them out of the oven, use a small spoon to press down slightly into the thumbprinted areas again to make sure each cookie has a nice impression. Cool.
- Melt caramels in a double boiler. Stir in the half and half until well combined and smooth. Spoon a little bit of the caramel mixture into each cookie imprint. Top with a pecan half.
Notes
- These cookies will be more chocolatey with chocolate extract, which can be found in specialty markets like Whole Foods
These are yummy
Amazing cookies! I’ll print your recipe and I’ll ask my mom to make me some.
These cookies look awesome, Lori! I totally with you on the online shopping, I did most of it online as well. One for me, one for them was my mentality this year 🙂
I wish a batch of these cookies would magically appear on my coffee table! Can’t get enough sweets this time of year.
I have made something similar with a puddle of Nutella on top and a hazelnut. These look great and I am eager to try them.
You had me at the puddle of caramel! I’m totally making these as holiday gifts!
I now follow you on Twitter.
Lori, these look amazing!
Pretty cookies! Chocolate and caramel together? Anytime!
I still have more shopping to do 🙁 These cookies look great, I could munch on them while I shop online!
Sweettt! How wonderful these cookies are and they look so much fun to make. I can’t wait to try this and doing online shopping while they’re being baked. ;D Smart idea!
YUM! I love turtle cookies so much!
I confess, I did click over for the cute cupcake ornaments.
Thanks for the recipe, Lori, it’s a keeper!
I thought I was done bakign cookies and you posted this scrumptious looking cookie! This is a must make!! I love chocolate and caramel together!!
Not even CLOSE to finished….but I have done most of it online this year…so easy. I think I’ll take a break from shopping to make these cookies, though! 😉
These look great Lori!! I did so much of my shopping online this year! Kinda loving it 🙂 xoxo
I love turtle cookies!
Oh, yum. If I had a big batch of these cookies while sitting down at the computer to do some shopping, I’d be in trouble on two fronts. 🙂
yum! yay for the internet to help with shopping– that means more baking!!!
Mmmm…..that caramel! These look wonderful!
How do these cookie hold up in a cookie tray Lori, does the caramel harden some so it doesn’t get all gooey over other cookies? …m
These look so yummy! I’ve been wanting to make them for a while, yours look wonderful!!
These are on my to do list for this week. They look divine. Can’t wait to try these.
Oh, how wonderful these cookies look!
These are seriously dream worthy. That puddle of caramel kills me!!
How awesome I reckon I could eat about 100 of them!
Omg, Lori, we’re in the same boat! I’m pretty much done my holiday shopping, with the exception of my hard to please sister, and it’s all been online! The internet is a dangerous place to spend an afternoon! Speaking of dangerous, I’m glad/ sad these cookies aren’t anywhere near me, because I would devour them ALL.
These look absolutely lovely! I wish I would have had this cookie recipe two days ago when I made a round up. Turtles are so good…especially in cookie form!
The cookie dough base itself looks amazing on these, Lori! Soft and chewy and just perfect…especially with a puddle of caramel!
These look so incredible! I’ll definitely be trying soon…
Okay, I’m a little bit envious that you are almost done with your Christmas shopping. I am so behind! These cookies look like such fun to make and I can only imagine how good that caramel is.