Cravings of a Lunatic

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Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

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These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

Hi folks.

So happy to be here today with a fabulous cookie recipe to share with you. You all know how obsessed I am with all things “turtle”. It’s really gotten out of hand to be honest. I have far too many turtle recipes in my recipe index. Okay that’s a total lie, when can you ever have TOO many turtle recipes. There can never be too many turtles recipes in the world for my taste. I’ve made oodles of them.

Recipes like:

Turtle Recipes from cravingsofalunatic.com- Amazing turtle recipes that are chock full of chocolate, pecans, and caramel.

Yup, told you it was my weakness. I just love turtles. Any excuse to whip up a turtle treat and I’m the first one in the kitchen. I’ve been known to knock folks down for turtles. I’ve even stolen them from under the christmas tree. What, don’t judge. Who amongst us hasn’t polished off a box of turtles in 5 seconds flat. No? Just me then.

When I saw Turtle Thumbprint Cookies on pinterest I just knew I would be making them at some point. Mom On Time Out made them and they just blew my mind. Such gorgeous and tempting turtle treats. They were calling my name, morning…noon…and night.

They are fabulous cookies. I had a little trouble getting mine to keep their shape. I have this tendency to believe in the theory “go big or go home” so I think I made them a bit too big. Next batch will be smaller. I swear sometimes my over the top ways get me into trouble. Regardless of my monster sized cookie problems they sure were tasty. I’ll be making them again and again. Then running out to buy monster sized stretchy pants so I can keep up my turtle habit.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

4.43 from 7 votes
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!
Print
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
22 mins
 
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!
Course: Cookie
Cuisine: American
Author: Kim Beauliu
Ingredients
  • For the Cookie Portion:
  • 1 egg divided
  • 1/2 cup butter room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
For the Caramel:
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
  • 1 teaspoon shortening
  • 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
For the Caramel Sauce (make this ahead of time):
  1. In a medium sized saucepan combine the sugar and 1/4 cup warm water and cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Bring the syrup to a boil. Now cook this without stirring it until it begins to caramelize (remember do not stir!).
  3. Gently swirl the pan to help the syrup brown (mini-me swirls beautifully).
  4. Once the syrup has turned a beautiful amber colour you need to remove the pan from the heat.
  5. Stir in the cold butter. Let it bubble and swirl the pan.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, swirl the pan again.
  7. Add the vanilla and the salt, stir or whisk this until smooth.
  8. Let stand until it starts to thicken enough to pour into cookies. While it's thickening and cooling make your cookies.
For the Cookies:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In your stand mixer beat butter for about 30 seconds. Add the sugar, continue beating until creamy. Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla, beat until well combined.
  3. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a small bowl. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture gradually, and beat until well combined.
  4. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and pop in the fridge for a couple of hours.
  5. Chop your pecans finely.
  6. Beat your egg white.
  7. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, roll the balls in the egg white. Now roll the balls in pecans until well coated.
  8. Place balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet about one inch apart from each other. Use your thumb to press an indentation into the middle of each cookie, or use something like the blunt end of a honey dripper (they work well for so many things, I use mine all the time for weird things).
  9. Bake in your preheated oven for about 10 minutes. The indentation may have disappeared during baking so press it into the cookie again if need be.
  10. Pour your caramel into the holes of the cookies. Allow it to set and harden a bit.
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
  1. In your microwave melt the shortening and chocolate together, stirring every 15 to 30 seconds.
  2. Once it's melted drizzle it over the cookies.
  3. Serve with a big old Turtle loving smile!

More Great Cookie Recipes from Around the Web:

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

I love these cookies. I used the caramel recipe I used for my Banana Sticky Buns and just omitted the banana. The recipe is from Fine Cooking. If you have never made banana sticky buns, well, you’re just not living. Live large people, indulge once in a while.

Banana Sticky Buns from cravingsofalunatic.com- This recipe is the best overnight sticky bun recipe I've ever tasted. The caramel recipe takes it to a whole new level!

Moving on, I hope you love these as much as I do. Cookies are a Christmas tradition. I think we all go cookie crazy around Christmas time. If you are looking for more great cookie recipes I encourage you to stop by the other Sunday Supper participants and see what deliciousness they’ve baked up for you.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

The Sunday Supper Favorite Cookie Exchange Cookies:

PIN THIS TO YOUR FAVOURITE COOKIE BOARD!

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from cravingsofalunatic.com- These turtle thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day you want a delicious treat!

Thanks for visiting today!

Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. You can find more dessert recipes and tons of chocolate recipes. Click around or use the search bar to find more recipes.

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Toodles and Turtle Smoochies! xx

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Comments

  1. The Ninja Baker says

    I was introduced to the turtle combo when I moved to the US from Japan. I’ve never been too inspired to pursue the popular sweet until now =) Your current recipe and your other list has piqued my curiosity. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      Oh you have to try turtles, something about caramel and chocolate together with pecans. It’s like heaven. Love it way too much. The popcorn is probably my fave so far.

      Reply

  3. Liz says

    Turtle cookies? LOL…I should have guessed! They look fantastic! I’ve made these using store bought caramels, but yours are SO much better! Happy #Sunday Supper!

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      I am with you Renee. Such a weakness for this combo. If we ever are lucky enough to meet in person we need to get in the kitchen together and whip up some turtle goodness.

      Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      Lol, I need to start mixing it up apparently. I’m getting predictable. But oh man when it tastes like this who can resist.

      Reply

  8. Shannon says

    1 star
    Those look good enough to polish off in under 5 minutes! Seriously at my house, elbows might be thrown to get the last one. lol Thanks for sharing

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      I think I am a little turtle-obsessed. If you only have time to make one go for the turtle popcorn gone wild. Oh my gosh, so good.

      Reply

  10. kelly @ kellybakes says

    Okay so not only have I gained a slew of amazing new blogger friends by joining the #SundaySupper community, but I have also been introduced to the drool-worthy world of all things turtle. That popcorn gone wild? C’mon now! Most importantly, I’ve realized I’ve never lived large. Banana sticky buns?! holy breakfast, batman!

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      SS rocks for making new friends. So happy you’re with us. The popcorn gone wild is beyond fabulous. Dude you must try living large…it’s life changing.

      Reply

  12. Stephanie {thecookieadaychallenge} says

    Sounds like a wonderful cookie! My husband is a big fan is anything turtle, on my list to make!

    Reply

  15. Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen says

    Yum, this may be my favorite of your turtle posts yet. Delish! Can’t wait to explore the other Sunday Supper cookie recipes too, I’ve got a Cookie Exchange coming up and I still need to pick a cookie (though picking just one might be impossible)!

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      Thanks so much Kelsey. I had so much fun making these. Isn’t the lineup incredible? These SS folks bring their a-game every week.

      Reply

  18. Heather @girlichef says

    Holy shnikeys that’s a lot of turtle recipes! I think I need to test some out. Just to see that you’re keeping up to standards ;P LOL! Okay, these sound awesome…from one turtle-lover to another.

    Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      Lol I tend to go overboard. It’s why none of my pants fit. If you only have time to try one go for the turtle popcorn gone wild or the banana split. OHMYGAWD is the only way to describe either.

      Reply

    • Kim Bee says

      I need an intervention. You should totally make these for your hubs or the banana split. It’s super yummy. Wish I knew a way to make these diabetic friendly.

      Reply

  26. Nancy @ gottagetbaked says

    I LOVE how many turtle themed baked goods you’ve made on your blog. I do a day of baking at my apartment every year the day after Christmas and I’m planning on making turtle thumbprints. I can’t wait, especially seeing how decadently delicious yours look!

    Reply

  29. Donna says

    I love turtles, too. Hehe. They were always one of my favorite candies with the perfect combo of nuts, caramel and chocolate. Can’t go wrong with that.

    Reply

  44. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    5 stars
    I love every Turtle treats you make and now turtle thumbprint cookies!!! My gosh, if I ever receive home baked goods like this, I would be so greedy that I’ll have to hide and eat. These look so good, and you know how much I love and think about your turtle bark recipe. 😉

    Reply

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