Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Homemade Christmas cookies

I love baking Christmas cookies for the holidays and there is nothing better than homemade cookies! From the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cookies to the fun the family has making them, they are not only delicious but they're a great addition to a holiday cookie tray, as part of Christmas cookie exchanges or added to cookie tins for wonderful thoughtful gifts.

When cookie season rolls around, and what season is better than Christmas for cookies, it's best to have several different flavors to liven up the holidays. It's hard to choose my favorite Christmas cookie but these Jam Thumbprint Cookies, Snowball Cookies, and Eggnog Cookies are on the top of my list.

Why you'll love these chocolate turtle thumbprint cookies

Your Favorite Candy in Cookie Form! Raise your hand if you love turtle candies! You know the ones, chocolate-covered gooey caramel candies with pecans. Yummm! I took all that sweet flavor one step further and put all that chocolaty, caramel deliciousness into cookie form.

Chocolate, Crunchy, Chewy & Gooey: These chocolate thumbprint turtle cookies have a crunchy pecan coating on the outside, a soft chocolate cookie on the inside, and finished with a gooey caramel center and a drizzle of chocolate. They're sure to please anyone's sweet tooth!

The Extra Effort is So Worth It! They may take a little time to assemble but they are worth every minute. And the process is not hard just a little time intensive. Check out the steps below that will give you all you need to know about the prep and a few tips to make it easier.

Ingredients

To make these amazing Turtle Thumbprint Cookies, here's what you'll need:

• Flour: Forms the base of the dough, creating the perfect texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds that essential chocolatey goodness.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
• Butter: Creamed with sugar for a soft and buttery cookie.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a smooth texture.
• Egg: Used in two parts-yolk in the dough and whites to help the pecans stick.
• Milk: Keeps the dough soft and moist.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors, adding warmth to the cookie base.
• Pecans: Finely chopped to coat each cookie for a crunchy, nutty edge.
• Caramel Candies: Melted for a gooey, sweet filling.
• Heavy Cream: Combines with the caramel for the perfect texture.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Melted and drizzled over the top, adding extra chocolate flavor.
• Shortening: Helps the chocolate drizzle stay smooth and set nicely.

How to make turtle thumbprint cookies

Ready to make these incredible turtle cookies? Here's how:

1. Place flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Stir to combine.
3. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract.
4. Mix well.
5. Turn mixer speed down and add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
6. Beat mixture on low speed until it forms a dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap to chill. This will make it easier to handle.

7. Whisk egg whites in a bowl until very frothy, just slightly less than soft peaks.
8. Make an assembly line with beaten egg whites, chopped pecans, and cookie dough.
9. Roll cookie dough and shape dough into 1-inch balls using your hands.
10. Dip into whisked egg whites then into chopped pecans and coat well.
11. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
12. Make a small indentation in the center of each ball with the back of a spoon or your thumb. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.

Tip: Once baked you will have to make the indention again to make room for the caramel.

13. Place caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted and smooth. Fill the depressions in the cookies with the melted caramel and let them cool.
14. Place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the cookies. Psst, kids love to help with this step.

Now try to keep them in the house long enough to serve them to guests!

Recipe tips for cookie perfection

For the best results, keep these tips in mind:

Chill the Dough: Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape.

Use Fresh Pecans: They'll give the cookies a more vibrant flavor and satisfying crunch.

Control the Caramel Filling: Use a small spoon or piping bag to get the perfect amount of caramel in each indentation.

Watch the Drizzle: If the chocolate drizzle is too thick, microwave it briefly until it reaches the right consistency.

Recipe variations to make them your own

Looking to put a twist on these cookies? Here are some ideas to make them your own:

Salted Caramel: Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on the caramel for a salted caramel version.

Chocolate Caramel: Add a little cocoa powder to the caramel filling for a double-chocolate experience.

Switch up the Nuts: Swap the pecans for almonds or walnuts if you prefer their flavor.

How to store your cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they'll stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

If you need to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Can I freeze these cookies?

You certainly can! You can either freeze the dough and bake at a later date or freeze them when they are baked and completely cooled. Before serving them, allow them to sit on the counter until they reach room temperature. Then all bets are off as to how long they'll last.