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Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies feature an irresistible trio of chocolate, pecans, and caramel. These buttery chocolate thumbprint cookies are dusted with pecans and filled with a big dollop of creamy caramel! These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies need a spot on your cookie tray for the holidays! 
Course Cookies
Keyword chocolate caramel pecan thumbprint cookies, chocolate thumbprint cookies, chocolate thumbprints, thumbprint cookies, thumbprints, turtle cookies, turtle thumbprint cookies, turtle thumbprints
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 30
Author Sarah

Ingredients

For cookies:

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tbsp. milk or cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

For filling & garnish:

  • 11 oz. package caramels unwrapped
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate

Instructions

For cookies:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar. Cream until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in egg yolk, milk, and vanilla.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt.
  • Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, and beat until just combined.
  • Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until dough is firm, and easily forms into a ball.
  • Shape into 1-inch balls, and roll in pecans. 
  • Arrange 2 inches apart on parchment paper or silicone mat-lined baking sheets.
  • Press an indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the end of a wooden spoon.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until set when you lightly touch an edge (carefully).
  • Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely. 

For filling & garnish:

  • In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine caramels and heavy cream.
  • Heat at 30-second intervals, stirring in-between, until melted and smooth.
  • Spoon a rounded teaspoonful of caramel into the center of each cookie.
  • In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate at 15-second intervals, stirring in-between, until melted and smooth.
  • Drizzle over cookies. Allow to set.