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Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are made with a soft chocolate cookie, coated in pecans, filled with caramel, sprinkled with salt, and drizzled with chocolate. The perfect Christmas cookie!

Long white plate of turtle thumbprint cookies with pecans and caramel bits nearby.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Two TURTLE THUMBPRINTS!

Ok, just kidding, but I love these cookies because they are pretty to look at and delicious to eat.

My husband got home from work and saw these on the counter and said that they looked super professional.

Let’s just forget the fact that I am kind of a “professional.” ANYONE can make these!

Platter of turtle thumbprint cookies stacked on top of each other.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

The turtle flavor combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel, in these turtle thumbprint cookies, is a winner!

The cookie is almost brownie-like, and with the gooey caramel center, hint of salt, and chocolate drizzle on top, you’ll be tempted to eat more than just one.

Bite taken out of a turtle thumbprint cookie to show texture on the inside of the chocolate cookie with a soft caramel center.

Don’t be intimidated by all the steps for this recipe. These turtle cookies may seem like a lot of work, but they’re actually quite simple to make. Plus, the outcome is a beautiful turtle treat.

Let me show you just how easy it is to make these turtle thumbprint cookies!

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies on rectangular plate. Pecans, caramel bits, and chocolate chips in bowls.

How to Make Turtle Cookies

Make the chocolate cookie dough and use a small #50 scoop or rounded Tablespoon to create balls. Round dough in palm of hands, if needed.

Collage image. Cookie dough ball in bowl of whisked egg whites (left). Cookie coated with egg whites in bowl of chopped pecans (right).

Whisk the egg white until frothy. Coat the chocolate cookie dough balls, first in the whisked egg white, then in the chopped pecans.

Place the coated dough balls on a prepared baking sheet a few inches apart.

Collage image. Cookies pressed with spoon before baking (left). Cookies pressed with spoon after baking (right).

Use a 1/2 teaspoon measure to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball before baking. Then again just after baking, while the cookies are still warm.

Collage image. Bowl of caramel bits (left). Bowl of chocolate chips (right).

Melt caramel bits and chocolate chips separately in the microwave using short bursts. Be careful not to over-heat.

Collage image progression. Cookie with caramel. Cookie with caramel and sea salt. Cookie with caramel, sea salt, and chocolate drizzle.

Scoop 1/2 teaspoonfuls of caramel into the center of each cookie.

Sprinkle the caramel immediately with sea salt or any other flaky salt.

Place the melted chocolate in a zip-top bag, make a small cut in one of the corners and drizzle the chocolate over the top of the cookies. Allow the caramel and chocolate to set and enjoy!

Finished turtle thumbprint cookies on sheet tray.

How to Freeze Turtle Cookies

To freeze these turtle cookies, you can either freeze the chocolate cookie dough, and then follow the rest of the steps later.

Or you can freeze the cookies after baking and decorating them. Allow the cookies to cool and set up completely. Then place parchment paper in-between each layer of cookies in a freezer bag.

Allow cookies to come to room temperature before consuming them.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies on long white rectangle platter.

Extra Tips

  • Caramel Bits are made by Kraft and melt easily with a little bit of water. You can add additional water to make the caramel thinner if you like. I tried to keep mine thick.
    • If you can’t find the caramel bits, you can use approximately 16 unwrapped caramel squares and 3 Tablespoons of heavy cream warmed in a saucepan, stirring constantly until melted.
  • Salt on top is optional, but a great addition. I definitely prefer these turtle cookies with the salt. You can use any flaky salt like: sea salt flakes, kosher salt, or Fleur de Sel.
  • Chocolate Chips or chocolate melts work great for the drizzle on top. If you find your chocolate chips are too thick, mix in 1/2 tsp of coconut oil or shortening to thin it out.

More Christmas Treats To Make

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Turtle Thumbprint Cookies on long white rectangle platter.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Yield: 20 cookies

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are made with a soft chocolate cookie, coated in pecans, filled with caramel, sprinkled with salt, and drizzled with chocolate. The perfect Christmas cookie!

Ingredients

Cookie:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large/XL egg, SEPARATED
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pecans, finely chopped

Caramel:

  • 3/4 cup caramel bits
  • 1 1/2 tsp water
  • 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt, kosher salt, or Fleur de Sel

Chocolate:

  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tsp coconut oil or shortening, optional for thinning

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH: Combine flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla. Mix until incorporated. Add the flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
  4. Whisk the egg white in a bowl until frothy. Place chopped pecans in another bowl. *Scoop balls of dough with a #50 scoop or rounded Tablespoon. Roll in palms of hands and place on a large plate.
  5. Roll prepared dough balls first in the frothy egg white, then roll in the chopped pecans. Place on prepared baking sheets a couple inches apart.
  6. Use a ½ tsp measuring spoon to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball.
  7. Bake at 350˚F for 12-14 minutes or until just set. Gently re-press the indentations immediately after the cookies come out of the oven.
  8. FOR THE CARAMEL: Microwave caramel bits with water in a bowl on HALF POWER for short 30-second bursts, stirring in-between each interval, until melted. Scoop ½ teaspoonfuls of melted caramel into the indented cookies. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt. Repeat with all cookies.
  9. FOR THE CHOCOLATE: Place chocolate in a bowl and microwave on HALF POWER for short 30-second bursts, stirring in-between each interval, until melted. Mix in 1/2 tsp of coconut oil or shortening if needed, for thinning. Place melted chocolate in a plastic bag, make a small cut in one corner, and drizzle the chocolate over the caramel filled cookies. Allow cookies to rest until the chocolate and caramel sets.

Notes

  • If dough seems too sticky to handle, REFRIGERATE for 30-60 minutes, then scoop balls and continue as directed.
  • Store cookies covered or in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 139Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 163mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix, and is an estimation only.

author: Amber Brady / Category: Cookies
© Dessert Now Dinner Later. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-create the recipe, snap YOUR OWN PHOTO and re-write the recipe in YOUR OWN WORDS, or link back to this post for the recipe.

*Originally published 12/14/12. Updated 11/29/20.