Turtle cookies are soft chocolate cookies packed with caramel bits and pecan pieces. Recipe includes step-by-step photos and tips to make perfect cookies.
Turtles are one of my favorite candies. The combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel is also great in cookies. And these cookies are pretty fantastic (if I do say so!).
The cookies are soft, rich chocolate cookies full of buttery caramels and crunchy pecans pieces. If you like turtle flavored anything, they're a must-make.
Don't miss the step-by-step photos and tips below to help you make great cookies.
How to make turtle cookies
Step 1: In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening together until well-combined.
Step 2: Add sugars and beat until well-combined.
Step 3: Mix in eggs and vanilla. Scrape down bowl as needed.
Step 4: Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in just until combined.
Step 5: Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes. Scoop dough by 1.5 tablespoon scoops.
Step 6: Press pieces of caramel and pecans into the outside of the cookie dough.
Step 7: Place cookie dough scoops 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake.
Tips
- Butter: I like to use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer. The butter should be at room temperature (72F). This means that the butter should be soft enough to dent when pressed but shouldn't lose shape when pressed. Overly warm butter can cause the cookies to bake out (spread too much).
- Flour: It's important to properly measure the flour to avoid packing it in. To properly measure the flour, sift or stir the flour to break it up. Then lightly spoon into the measuring cup and level.
- Cocoa powder: I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
- Caramels: I use caramels in place of caramel bits. The caramels soften up nicely, and I've found that the caramel bits stay harder in the cookies.
- To cut the caramels, I either use kitchen scissors to cut them or spray a knife blade with nonstick cooking spray to chop them up.
- I press the caramels and nuts into the outside of the cookie dough because it makes for a prettier cookie.
How to store
These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
More chocolate cookie recipes!
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Turtle Cookies
Equipment
- Cookie sheets
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ salt
- 11 ounce bag caramels in small pieces
- ⅔ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening together until well-combined.
- Add sugars and beat until well-combined.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla. Scrape down bowl as needed.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir in just until combined.
- Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes.
- Scoop dough by 1.5 tablespoon scoops.
- Press pieces of caramel and pecans into the outside of the cookie dough.
- Place cookie dough scoops 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes. The edges should be set but the middles should look soft and slightly underdone.
- Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.
Notes
- Butter: I like to use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer. The butter should be at room temperature (72F). This means that the butter should be soft enough to dent when pressed but shouldn't lose shape when pressed. Overly warm butter can cause the cookies to bake out (spread too much).
- Flour: It's important to properly measure the flour to avoid packing it in. To properly measure the flour, sift or stir the flour to break it up. Then lightly spoon into the measuring cup and level.
- Cocoa powder: I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
- Caramels: I use caramels in place of caramel bits. The caramels soften up nicely, and I've found that the caramel bits stay harder in the cookies. To cut the caramels, I either use kitchen scissors to cut them or spray a knife blade with nonstick cooking spray to chop them up.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Dean
These are so good!!!
Kate
Thank you so much!