• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Closet Cooking

Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Top Recipes
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • 6 Ingredient Meals
    • Slow Cooker Meals
    • One Pan Meals
    • By Course
      • Main Course
      • Side Dish
      • Dessert
      • Appetizer/Snack
      • More
    • By Diet
      • Gluten-free
      • Low-carb
      • Vegetarian
      • More
    • By Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Lamb
      • Egg
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
      • More
    • By Cuisine
      • Cajun and Creole
      • Chinese
      • Greek
      • Italian
      • Japanese
      • Korean
      • Mexican
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
      • More
    • By Type
      • Burger
      • Cake
      • Cookie
      • Dip
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Salad
      • Sandwich
      • Soup
      • More
    • By Ingredient
      • Avocado
      • Bacon
      • Cauliflower
      • Mushroom
      • Pumpkin
      • Quinoa
      • Shrimp
      • Strawberry
      • More
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
Never miss a recipe! Subscribe to the email Newsletter!

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

[heart_this] · Dec 10, 2009 · 48 Comments

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

The holiday baking season is upon us and since you can never have too many holiday cookie recipes I have joined up with 12 other bloggers to bring you The Ultimate Baker’s Dozen Christmas Cookie Exchange. In addition to bringing you great holiday cookie ideas, 7 of the participating bloggers will be giving away cookie of the month club memberships! To see all of the participating bloggers, and to learn more about the cookie giveaways, please visit the Baker’s Dozen home site at www.13CookieChristmas.info .

Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Chocolate turtles are a chocolate wrapped caramel and pecan treats that seem to flood the stores in time for the holidays every year. They are almost a Christmas tradition in my family. My grandfather liked them, my father likes them and I like them. There always ends up being a lot of boxes of chocolate turtles under the Christmas tree and it is almost a competition to see who gets the most. (It doesn’t help that I usually give away more boxes than I receive…)

Chocolate Turtle Cookies
When I came across the concept of chocolate turtle cookies on Baking and Boys I immediatly bookmarked the page and filed it away for next year. Now that the holidays are finally here it was time to make some chocolate turtle cookies! These chocolate turtle cookies are essentially a chocolate thumbprint cookie that is covered with chopped pecan pieces and filled with caramel and then topped with a pecan. (Katrina even drizzled hers in chocolate for even more chocolaty goodness!) The recipe as pretty easy to follow with the only thing out of the ordinary being some chilling time in the fridge for the dough before baking. I always seem to have this problem when making cookies where the recipe says that it will make 24 cookies and I only end up with about 12 cookies. I guess I just like my cookies large. Most of the recipes that I found called for melting the soft caramel candies for the caramel filling but since I had just made some dulce de leche I went with that instead. The chocolate turtle cookies turned out really well! The cookie was a nice and light and cakey and it went really well with the pecans and dulce de leche. I will definitely be making these for years to come!

Chocolate Turtle Cookies
I am now a dozen chocolate turtles in the lead! I will have to get the next batch into the oven as soon as possible to widen the gap! 🙂 Unfortunately I don’t think many will survive long enough to make it under the tree as they are disappearing rather quickly. They are like and endangered species.

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 42 minutes Servings: 12
ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (finely chopped)
  • 2 egg whites
  • 24 teaspoons dulce de leche (or caramel)
  • 24 pecan halves
directions
  1. Mix the flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl.
  2. Beet the butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg yolk, milk and vanilla.
  4. Mix in the flour mixture.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
  6. Whisk the egg whites until frothy.
  7. Form the dough into 1 inch balls.
  8. Dip the balls in the egg white and then in the pecans.
  9. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet with the pecans face up.
  10. Indent the center of the balls with a teaspoon.
  11. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until set, about 10-12 minutes rotating the baking pan in the middle.
  12. Fill each cookie with a teaspoon of dulce de leche and top with a pecan.
Similar Recipes:
Cranberry Turtle Bars

To see all of the participating bloggers, and to learn more about the cookie giveaways, please visit the Baker’s Dozen home site at www.13CookieChristmas.info.

Cookie, Food, Recipe, Vegetarian

eCookbook Bundle Cover

Get ALL 16 Closet Cooking eCookbooks in a bundle for 70% off! Enjoy some of the tastiest recipes from Closet Cooking along with exclusive cookbook recipes!

Get the Cookbook Bundle Now!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:11 am

    Kevin, these cookies look amazing!!!

    Reply
  2. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:32 am

    Wow, stunning!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  3. Mother Rimmy says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:08 am

    Your cookies look delicious! Perfect for this time of year.

    Reply
  4. Yael says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:42 am

    What can I say? Yum-just yum , yum and yum!

    Reply
  5. Rachael says

    December 10, 2009 at 7:26 am

    Oh.My.Goodness. I HAVE to make these…

    Reply
  6. Joanne says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:16 am

    These are really the ideal cookie. I love the "turtle' combination of flavors (what a weird term). Especially in ice cream. But I will take them in a cookie as well. 😉

    Reply
  7. pigpigscorner says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:38 am

    wow wow WOW!

    Reply
  8. Shannon says

    December 10, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    those look absolutely delicious!!

    Reply
  9. Ivy says

    December 10, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    They look beautiful.

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    December 10, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Amazingly yummy looking!

    Enjoy!

    Reply
  11. tracieMoo says

    December 10, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    Yum! what a wonderful looking cookie!

    Reply
  12. George Gaston says

    December 10, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Kevin, this is a treat indeed! Chocolate, caramel, pecans all in one delectable bite. YUM!

    The cookie exchange site is terrific, as well. Thanks for the link.

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    December 10, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Mmmmm those look incredible!

    Reply
  14. Katrina says

    December 10, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Ahh, thanks for reminding me of these! And thanks for the shout out!
    I made caramel by boiling the condensed milk in a can last year when I made those–SOOO good and fun to try!
    Your cookies look de-lish and makes me want to make them again–and tonight I have a cookie exchange and haven't decided what to make yet! Hmmm?
    http://www.bakingandboys.com/2008/12/cookies-holiday-past-cookies-because-i.html
    Thanks, Kevin! Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  15. Dodol & Mochi says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Look very cute!! Yea … I guess we're all feeling Christmassy now …

    Cheers from Malaysia,
    Pei-Lin

    Reply
  16. Dawn says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Kevin I'm so strapped on what to give this year for foodie gifts! I must just give these a go. Wonderful!

    Reply
  17. Shannon says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    Oh YUM-O….definitely making these…..

    Reply
  18. Anne says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    These cookies are INSANE!! Holy smokes! TFS!!

    Reply
  19. Valerina says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    I will never tire of the chocolate/caramel combination. These look amazing!

    Reply
  20. megan says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    These look amazingly delicious!

    Reply
  21. Memória says

    December 10, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    These look great!! I would have to take out the pecans (so would it be a headless turtle? haha), but I would still want to make this. YUM!

    Reply
  22. Micro Smores says

    December 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Turtles are my favorite chocolates and I love anything with Pecans.

    Reply
  23. StephanieC says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    oh Kevin your killing me, these look great! I'm now planning to make some for our christmas, as the ones that usually get given, are rather terrible, but hubby just can't make himself tell his 98yr old aunt that. This year they can eat good turtles and 'save' the boxed ones.

    Reply
  24. The Duo Dishes says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Oooh la la. It's a two bite of perfection. The dulce de leche part looks great.

    Reply
  25. Ben says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Great idea! And the cookies are just gorgeous.

    Reply
  26. Kathleen says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Yikes! These sound Dangerous! I loved hearing your family story! ;0

    Reply
  27. NikiTheo says

    December 11, 2009 at 12:27 am

    These look so delicious!!!! Great job on one of my fav cookies ever!

    Reply
  28. "Tramie" says

    December 11, 2009 at 12:35 am

    Wow, just simply yummy!!!

    Reply
  29. Bren says

    December 11, 2009 at 1:11 am

    how lovely! love the way you dec'd the plate!

    Reply
  30. Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul says

    December 11, 2009 at 2:18 am

    You've got my attention!!!

    Reply
  31. sb says

    December 11, 2009 at 3:36 am

    These are just my kind of cookies: pretty, turtles, and not pretentious. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  32. Tartelette says

    December 11, 2009 at 5:21 am

    Good choice Kevin! They wouldn't last a minute here.

    Reply
  33. pinguil says

    December 11, 2009 at 11:10 am

    great!! it's fantastic

    Reply
  34. Ruth Daniels says

    December 11, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Kevin the photos alone make me want to eat the screen version. They are now definitely on my must make soon list. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  35. Becky says

    December 11, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    turtles are my Mother's favorite Xmas candy and I am going to make these cookies for her as she couldn't find any Turtles this year. go figure, but these cookies look an acceptable substitute and I'm going to try them pronto. thanks Kevin

    Reply
  36. pastry studio says

    December 11, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    These look like a perfect addition to the holiday list. Thank you!

    Reply
  37. Kerstin says

    December 12, 2009 at 3:12 am

    Wow, these sound so amazing and super addicting! I love anything with caramel 🙂

    Reply
  38. mirtilla says

    December 12, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Very very good…

    Reply
  39. Rob says

    December 12, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    I love the chocolate turtles but they cost a fortune here in London and there is only one store that sells them (talk about a monopoly). I will definitely give these cookies a go – time to start filling up the biscuit tins anyway…

    Reply
  40. Helene says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:52 am

    Drooling over this one. I bookmarked it.

    Reply
  41. Rachael says

    December 15, 2009 at 4:52 am

    So I left a comment a couple of days ago saying I needed to make these. Well, I did and I am soooo glad about it! They are ammmazing! I used cajeta instead of the dulce de leche which was a bit runny but still unbelievable tasty. Thanks Kevin!

    Reply
  42. Culinary Cory says

    December 16, 2009 at 2:25 am

    These look amazing and so easy!

    Reply
  43. sweetbird says

    December 17, 2009 at 12:10 am

    I think I gained a pound just by reading this post. I hope no one ever lets me make these or I'll never fit into my skinny jeans again.

    Reply
  44. Gail says

    December 18, 2009 at 4:05 am

    Hi! I have only just stumbled upon your blog and I subscribed immediately! You are creative and a great foodie photographer! I made the Chocolate Turtle Cookies for my office Cookie Exchange and had to keep bragging about finding your blog. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  45. Peter M says

    December 21, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Kevin, this recipe is dangerous…love turtles and I could eat a whole box!

    Reply
  46. eatme_delicious says

    December 26, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    My mom would love these! I'll have to save the recipe.

    Reply
  47. Steve says

    November 29, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    These cookies are absolutely delicous — very rich and chocolately!! The dulce del leche is the perfect caramel sauce (my first time making this.) Our smaller sized cookies turned out great and look wonderful on a Christmas plate. Got 52 from a double batch and will definitely make more soon!

    Reply
  48. Anonymous says

    October 24, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    I sprinkled a bit of coarse sea salt- ah! To die for! Delish! I love that sweet & salty sensation!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to the free Closet Cooking email newsletter and get a FREE copy of the eBook:
The Best of Closet Cooking!

About Me

Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
Read More

The Best of Closet Cooking 2023 – FREE eCookbook

The Best of Closet Cooking Book Cover

eCookbook Bundle

eCookbook Bundle

Top Recipes

Chicken and Avocado Burritos
Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
Mexican Street Corn Nachos
Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers
Baked Firecracker Chicken
Caprese Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Balsamic Soy Roasted Garlic Mushrooms
Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini Skillet
Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries
Asiago Roasted Onions
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
About | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
Copyright © 2007-2023, Closet Cooking Ltd. All Rights Reserved.