This Turtle Thumbprint Cookie recipe features a cocoa cookie rolled in pecans, filled with a salted caramel thumbprint, and drizzled with chocolate. A perfect Christmas cookie recipe! Click here to download my 10 Favorite Christmas Cookies!
Yield:
24 cookies
Prep Time:30minutes
Cook:20minutes
Tessa's Recipe Rundown...
Taste: There’s a reason that turtle flavored treats are so popular! That combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate is heavenly. Texture: The cookie is rich and soft, the pecans are crunchy, and the caramel is thick and gooey. Ease: Definitely not as quick and simple as regular drop cookies, but these are well worth the extra hands-on effort! Pros: Delicious and fun cookies. Cons: A little messy and requires hands-on time. Would I make this again? Yes.
To everyone who loves the turtle flavor combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel, this Turtle Thumbprint Cookies recipe was made for YOU!
These cookies are the ultimate turtle treat and are crunchy, gooey, and rich without being cloyingly sweet. I’m so excited that Christmas cookie baking season is in full swing. What are your favorite cookies to bake during this time of the year?
These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are a total crowd pleaser. Everyone loves this recipe!
If you take a peek down at the recipe directions, you may notice they are a tad more involved than your average cookie recipe. To achieve that scrumptious array of turtle tastes and textures a little bit of work is involved. Don’t worry! It’s nothing difficult by any means but do plan on spending a little more time on this recipe.
It’s completely worth it, promise! I mean, how mouthwatering does that gooey caramel pull look?!
This post was originally published in 2013 and recently updated with new photos, weight measurements, and other recipe improvements. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
5 from 8 votes
How to make
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Yield:24cookies
Prep Time:30minutes
Cook Time:20minutes
Inactive Time1hour
Total Time:2hours
This Turtle Thumbprint Cookie recipe features a cocoa cookie rolled in pecans, filled with a salted caramel thumbprint, and drizzled with chocolate. A perfect Christmas cookie recipe! Click here to download my 10 Favorite Christmas Cookies!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3cup(133 grams) granulated sugar
1large egg, separated
2tablespoonsmilk
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1cup(127 grams) all-purpose flour
1/3cup(28 grams) cocoa powder
1/4teaspoonsalt
1cup(113 grams) pecans, finely chopped
For the Caramel Thumbprint:
16unwrapped caramel squares
3tablespoonswhipping cream
Fleur de sel, or other flaked sea salt, for sprinkling, optional
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
1/2cup(85 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1teaspooncoconut oil or shortening
Directions
For the cookies:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until well combined and fluffy. Add in the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract. Reserve the egg white in a separate container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat just until combined. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight, or until the dough is chilled and firm.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Lightly beat the reserved egg white. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball in the egg white, then roll in the pecans, pressing lightly to coat well. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly press down the center of each ball with your thumb.
Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until set. Set the baking sheet on a cooling rack and let cool until just warm.
For the caramel:
While the cookies are baking, combine the caramel squares and cream in a small saucepan set over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.
When the cookies are warm, press down the center of each cookie again with your thumb or the opposite end of a wooden spatula. Spoon about a 1/2 teaspoon of caramel into each thumbprint. Sprinkle the caramel with Fleur de sel to taste. Let cool completely.
For the chocolate drizzle:
In a small heat-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Remove the chocolate to a small zip-top baggie and cut a small hole in one corner. Pipe the chocolate over the cookies. Let the chocolate set before serving or storing in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Favorite Brand Names: Gifts from the Christmas Kitchen via Dawn's Recipes
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
About Tessa...
I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)
Diane @ Vintage Zest — December 2, 2013 at 10:48 am
This looks wonderful! I have only made thumbprint cookies filled with jam/jelly, like the ones I just posted a week ago. I LOOOOVE salted caramel and the chocolate drizzle seems interesting with coconut oil. I have only used coconut oil in a few different recipes, so I’d love to try this!
sally @ sallys baking addiction — December 2, 2013 at 7:38 pm
I love everything about these adorable cookies Tessa! My mom loves chocolate turtles and she would be thrilled to have a cookie like this this Christmas. Sending her the recipe!
Hmm!?..I have most of the Hershey recipe books and I don’t see any recipe called Choco-Caramel Delights in them, or any that looks close to this pleaser. I enjoy trying several different recipes of a similar recipe to try and make specific recipes perfect for my family’s likes. This will be one I try this weekend for sure!
I get that some folks prefer something quick and easy, but there are also those out there very willing to invest the time and attention to make things from scratch…omitting things they prefer not to be included in their foods as well as to make a spectacular cookie, cake, pie, dessert, or meal. I know this to be true, as I am one of those people. Please, keep the yummy delicious and beautiful recipes coming. There are people out there that want quick and there are people out there that wish to create it themselves.
MerryChristmas Claus — December 11, 2020 at 12:56 am
So true, Dee. Like you, I try to do as much scratch cooking as I can, when I can. Tessa, you keep doing what you are doing. It works because there lots of us who follow your recipes and love them.
I made these today, my parents and sister where surprised that these cookies didnt actually contain a turtle nor that they did not resemble a turtle. The cookie part is nice and dense like a rich chocolate brownie, taking the left overs to school tomorrow for my friends!
I looovvve Turtles! Surely going to try these – don’t know if I can squeeze it in for Christmas – so much baking, crocheting, so little time. Going to try for sure though, some time soon. Tk u for sharing yr recipe. Can’t wait!
I’m absolutely going to make these this year, they look delicious, and so interesting! Just wanted to share a tip I learned with a different recipe that uses those little wrapped caramels – they are much easier to peel if you toss them in the freezer for a bit first. Not as sticky 🙂
I have made so many of your recipes and absolutely love them!!
For this one, can we make our own caramel or is it better to use the squares?
Thanks so much ☺
These cookies are delicious! I added these to my Christmas baking this year. Will definitely be making these again. I won’t be doing big batches next time as they are a bit time consuming for me.
Thank you Tessa for another great recipe with easy to follow directions.
As a trained chef and cookbook author, I share trusted baking recipes your friends & family will love alongside insights into the science of sweets. I help take the luck out of baking so you *always* have delicious results! Learn more here.
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This looks wonderful! I have only made thumbprint cookies filled with jam/jelly, like the ones I just posted a week ago. I LOOOOVE salted caramel and the chocolate drizzle seems interesting with coconut oil. I have only used coconut oil in a few different recipes, so I’d love to try this!
P.S. – Here is my thumbprint cookie recipe if you’re interested. 🙂
http://www.vintagezest.com/2013/11/the-easiest-thumbprint-cookies-ever.html
I love everything about these adorable cookies Tessa! My mom loves chocolate turtles and she would be thrilled to have a cookie like this this Christmas. Sending her the recipe!
I could eat at least 6 of these without blinking an eye. Delicious!
Need to make these cookies yesterday!!
These were called Choco-Caramel Delights in a Hershey’s cookbook a loonnnnng time ago. I have been making them for years and everyone LOVES them.
Hmm!?..I have most of the Hershey recipe books and I don’t see any recipe called Choco-Caramel Delights in them, or any that looks close to this pleaser. I enjoy trying several different recipes of a similar recipe to try and make specific recipes perfect for my family’s likes. This will be one I try this weekend for sure!
This recipe looks AMAZING and I cannot wait to make them! My only question is, could I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Thank you!
Sure, just omit the salt in the cookie part of the recipe.
What kind of cocoa powder did you use? I have Hershey’s special dark, but will that be too bitter? Should I buy regular?
I just made these and they are to die for. I now have a new favorite cookie recipe!
pretzels Rollo’s and pecans are easier and quicker recipe is on the back of the Rollo’s
I get that some folks prefer something quick and easy, but there are also those out there very willing to invest the time and attention to make things from scratch…omitting things they prefer not to be included in their foods as well as to make a spectacular cookie, cake, pie, dessert, or meal. I know this to be true, as I am one of those people. Please, keep the yummy delicious and beautiful recipes coming. There are people out there that want quick and there are people out there that wish to create it themselves.
So true, Dee. Like you, I try to do as much scratch cooking as I can, when I can. Tessa, you keep doing what you are doing. It works because there lots of us who follow your recipes and love them.
Thank you so much for the kind words!
I made these today, my parents and sister where surprised that these cookies didnt actually contain a turtle nor that they did not resemble a turtle. The cookie part is nice and dense like a rich chocolate brownie, taking the left overs to school tomorrow for my friends!
Haha! I think I’d be more surprised if the cookies DID contain turtle! Glad you enjoyed, hope your friends do too 🙂
I’ll be adding these to my Christmas baking list this yea. Especially since turtles are my husband’s favorite!
I looovvve Turtles! Surely going to try these – don’t know if I can squeeze it in for Christmas – so much baking, crocheting, so little time. Going to try for sure though, some time soon. Tk u for sharing yr recipe. Can’t wait!
Can u make Carmel sauce instead of Carmel squares?
Will it work as well?
For the caramel, can you use whole milk instead of whipping cream.
I’m absolutely going to make these this year, they look delicious, and so interesting! Just wanted to share a tip I learned with a different recipe that uses those little wrapped caramels – they are much easier to peel if you toss them in the freezer for a bit first. Not as sticky 🙂
Thank you for sharing…these look amazing. I can’t wait to get started! Happy feasting!
This recipe is AMAZING!!!! Turtle Thumbprint cookies is now my favorite Christmas cookie recipe.
Wowwie! These look AMAZE.
looks and sounds delicious !!!!!!
I tried it was amazing but I didnt use eggs so was a little hard , I guess. Is there any other alternative if we dont want to use eggs
Can I freeze these if made ahead
Absolutely tasty. And yes, you were right it’s quite messy but it’s worth it.
Made these at Christmas, they were the first to go! Will make double next year.
Can these be frozen?
Yes!
I have made so many of your recipes and absolutely love them!!
For this one, can we make our own caramel or is it better to use the squares?
Thanks so much ☺
Does the caramel stay soft or get hard and chewy?
The caramel thickens slightly but it’s still gooey and delicious!
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I made these last year. They were so delicious!!!
So happy to hear that, Tina!
These cookies are delicious! I added these to my Christmas baking this year. Will definitely be making these again. I won’t be doing big batches next time as they are a bit time consuming for me.
Thank you Tessa for another great recipe with easy to follow directions.
So glad you enjoyed these cookies!
Made these today to add to my Christmas cookie trays this year. They look just like the picture and taste as good as they look. Great recipe.
Rich and delicious!
Can I use Werthers orginal chewy caramels?