Easy Chocolate Turtle Cookies Recipe

Turtle Cookies: Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie that perfectly balances a crunchy exterior with a soft, gooey caramel center, combined with chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

This isn’t just any cookie recipe, they’re Caramel Turtle Cookies – a sweet delight that embodies indulgence. This easy dessert recipe is not only easy to follow, but also fun to make, offering you a fantastic opportunity to whip up a batch of our favorite cookie recipe right in your own kitchen. 

 

Looking for more ideas for cookie recipes to make? You could try these Key Lime Pie Cookies – Crumbl Copycat for something tangy and delicious. Or go with a classic and make a batch of Rocky Road Cookies, or similarly, these Devil’s Food Cookies that also use a chocolate cake mix.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• What Are Turtle Cookies?
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• Variations
• How to Make Turtle Cookies
• Recipe Pro Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• What to Serve with Turtle Cookies
• Storage
• 🍫 More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love
• Recipe
• Comments

What Are Turtle Cookies?

Turtle Cookies, as the name might suggest, do not have anything to do with the beloved shelled reptiles. These decadent treats draw inspiration from the classic Turtle Candy, a sweet concoction of caramel, chocolate, and pecans. 

Each bite of a Turtle Cookie encapsulates these three key components. Beginning with a sturdy cookie base, often chocolate-based to complement the other two elements, you’ll find rich caramel chunks, much like the caramel filling in the original candy. Finally, the best part, the cookie also has pecan pieces, adding a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft caramel and rich chocolate. 

Ingredients Needed

I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.

• Chocolate Cake Mix – This versatile ingredient is your secret weapon for these cookies, providing a deep and rich chocolate flavor without the fuss of combining cocoa and flour. 
• Caramel Bits – These small morsels melt beautifully into the cookie, creating that dreamy caramel center. Here’s a tip: make sure to keep your caramel bits at room temperature before adding them to the mix. This ensures they melt evenly and prevents the formation of any hard, chewy bits.
• Pecans – Pecans add a lovely crunch and pair perfectly with caramel and chocolate. Toasting them beforehand will bring out their flavor even more. Just remember to let them cool before adding to your dough!
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – These add an extra chocolatey punch to your cookies. If you’re a chocoholic, feel free to substitute them with dark chocolate chips for an intense cocoa flavor. But remember, they are sweeter than dark chocolate, so balance is key to avoiding an overly sweet cookie.

Substitutions

Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:

• Chocolate Cake Mix – If you’re out of chocolate cake mix, a blend of all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and a little salt can do the trick. For a gluten-free version, you can use a gluten-free flour mix and add cocoa powder to it.
• Caramel Bits – If you don’t have caramel bits, feel free to use soft caramel candies. Cut them into small caramel pieces so they melt just as nicely. For a vegan version, look for dairy-free caramels.
• Pecans – Walnuts or almonds make excellent substitutes for pecans. If you’re catering to a nut-free diet, consider using pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to keep that lovely crunch.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – If you’re out of semisweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate can be used instead. For a dairy-free alternative, opt for dairy-free dark chocolate. Remember, the aim is to maintain the balance of flavors, so adapt according to your taste buds.

Variations

• Cookie Base Variation – Why not switch things up a bit? Instead of sticking to the original chocolate cookie base, you could try a vanilla or red velvet cake mix for a fun twist. Imagine a red velvet Turtle Cookie for Valentine’s Day – now that’s a creative treat everyone will talk about!
• Filling Variation – Are you a fan of peanut butter? Try adding a dollop of it to the center of your cookies for a delicious surprise. Just remember to adjust the amount of caramel accordingly to ensure the cookie isn’t too gooey.
• Topping Variation – For a festive spin during the holiday season, a great addition is a tiny amount of crushed peppermint candy sprinkled on top of the cookies right after they come out of the oven. The heat will slightly melt the candy, infusing your cookies with a subtle minty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the chocolate.
• Vegan Turtle Cookies – Yes, it’s possible! Use a vegan cake mix for the base, dairy-free caramels for the filling, and a sprinkle of sea salt instead of pecans for the topping. Trust me, these vegan variations are just as delicious!

How to Make Turtle Cookies

This turtle cookies recipe is broken into 2 components:

• prepare the ingredients
• bake the cookies

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*

STEP 1: Prepare the equipment. Set your oven to a temperature of 350 degrees F. Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.

STEP 2: Toast the pecans. Take a small skillet and toast the pecans over medium heat for around 4-5 minutes until they become fragrant. This step can be skipped but is advisable for the best flavor. (Image 1)

STEP 3: Mix the cake mix. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil. Ensure all ingredients are blended well. The resulting dough will be thick. (Image 2)

STEP 4: Add the other ingredients. Include ½ cup of each caramel bits, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips into the dough. Ensure they are evenly distributed. (Image 4)

STEP 5: Portion out the cookie dough. Using a large cookie scoop, portion out cookie dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets. Allow at least two inches of space in between each cookie to account for spreading during baking. Press the remaining pecans, caramel bits, and chocolate chips on top of the cookie dough.

STEP 6: Bake cookies. Place the cookies in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are set, but the middle remains soft.

STEP 7: Cool and serve. After baking, leave the cookies to cool on the sheets for 10 minutes. Then, move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Recipe FAQs

What to Serve with Turtle Cookies

Turtle cookies, with their harmonious blend of chewy caramel, crunchy pecans, and rich chocolate, are a dessert superstar in their own right. However, pairing them with the right beverages or other treats can elevate your snacking or dessert experience to new heights. 

• Dairy-Free Almond Milk Latte: This creamy, frothy milk alternative complements the richness of the cookies perfectly, offering a smooth and subtle nutty flavor. Plus, who can resist the charm of a warm cookie paired with a frothy latte?
• Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of classic vanilla ice cream served alongside a Turtle Cookie is a match made in dessert heaven. The cool creaminess of the ice cream balances the rich chocolate cookies, the chewy intensity of the cookie, creating a delightful contrast. For a fancier touch, you could even create an ice cream sandwich with two Turtle Cookies! 
• Berry Fruit Salad: For a guilt-free accompaniment, a fresh berry salad works wonders. The tartness of the berries counterbalances the sweetness of the cookie, providing a refreshing palate cleanser between bites. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries would all make excellent additions. 

Storage

After cooling completely, you can store the cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Keep them at room temperature, where they’ll maintain their freshness for up to a week. 

If you’ve baked more than you can eat in seven days (I know, hard to imagine!), these cookies are also freezer-friendly. Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy them, just let them thaw at room temperature. Oh, and a small tip – remember to slip a small piece of parchment paper between each cookie to prevent them from sticking together.

You can freeze the cookie dough for up to three months. Scoop pieces of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the dough to an airtight container or freezer bag. If baking the cookies from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

🍫 More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love

If these cookies have left you with the urge for more delicious chocolate cookie recipes, here’s a couple to try. Make this simple No Bake Chocolate Pie for a delicious dessert that doesn’t need the oven. Or you could try this version of another classic dessert with this Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Make sure to check out these other dessert recipes that you’ll also love:

Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

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