Tasty Turtle Cookies: A Step-By-Step Guide To Baking

Turtle cookies are a delicious treat that combines chocolate, pecans, and caramel. They are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips, making them a perfect dessert. The process of making these cookies is simple but requires some time for chilling the dough. The steps include making the dough, chilling it, forming balls, creating a crater, baking, and finally filling the crater with caramel and drizzling chocolate. The end result is a scrumptious cookie that will be a hit with both kids and adults.

Choosing the right chocolate

Type of Chocolate

When selecting chocolate for turtle cookies, it is best to opt for semi-sweet or dark chocolate. These varieties offer a luscious, indulgent flavour that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavour, dark chocolate chips will do the trick. However, it is best to avoid milk chocolate chips as they can make the cookies overly sweet.

Chocolate Quality

The quality of chocolate you choose will impact the overall taste of your turtle cookies. Look for chocolate with a high cocoa butter content, as this will give your cookies a smoother, richer texture and flavour. Avoid chocolates with added vegetable oils or fats, as these can affect the taste and texture of your cookies.

Chocolate Chips or Bars

You can use either chocolate chips or bars for turtle cookies, depending on your preference. Chocolate chips are convenient as they melt easily and uniformly, making them ideal for drizzling or mixing into the dough. Chocolate bars, on the other hand, often have a higher cocoa content and can be chopped into smaller pieces if needed.

Quantity of Chocolate

Turtle cookies are known for their generous amount of chocolate, so don't skimp on this ingredient. Ensure you have enough chocolate to mix into the dough, drizzle on top, and fill the cookies if you're making thumbprint or filled cookies. You can always add more chocolate to suit your taste!

Storage and Melting

Proper storage of chocolate is crucial to maintain its quality. Keep your chocolate in a cool, dry place, as moisture can cause it to seize or discolour. When melting chocolate, use short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between, to prevent overheating and ensure a smooth consistency.

By following these tips and choosing the right chocolate, you'll be well on your way to creating decadent and irresistible turtle cookies that will impress your family and friends!

Preparing the dough

Gathering the Ingredients:

Firstly, you'll need to gather all the necessary ingredients for the dough. The exact quantities may vary slightly depending on the recipe you are following, but the basic components typically include:

• All-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking soda or baking powder
• Salt
• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar (light or dark)
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Milk (optional)
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Caramel bits or squares
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mixing the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda or powder, and salt. Mix them together until they are well blended. You can use a whisk or a fork to ensure there are no lumps. This mixture will form the dry base for your turtle cookie dough.

Creaming the Butter and Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, start by creaming together the softened butter and sugars (both granulated and brown). Use a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment for this step. Beat them together on medium to high speed until the mixture becomes fluffy, light in colour, and creamy. This process helps create a smooth and well-incorporated base for your dough.

Adding Wet Ingredients:

Next, you'll add the wet ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. This includes the egg(s), vanilla extract, and milk (if using). Mix everything together on medium to high speed until well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Incorporating the Dry Ingredients:

With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients (the flour mixture) to the wet ingredients in the bowl. Continue mixing until everything is combined. At this point, your cookie dough will be quite thick and sticky. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a small amount of milk to adjust the texture.

Adding Mix-Ins (Optional):

If you want to include additional mix-ins like chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) or chocolate chips, now is the time to add them. Stir them into the cookie dough until they are evenly distributed. This step will give your turtle cookies an extra crunch and flavour.

Chilling the Dough:

Cover the cookie dough tightly and place it in the refrigerator for chilling. Chilling the dough is a crucial step as it helps reduce the spread of the cookies during baking. The recommended chilling time varies depending on the recipe, but it typically ranges from at least 3 hours to overnight. Chilling the dough will result in thicker cookies and also makes it easier to shape and roll them into balls before baking.

Optional: Making Caramel and Chocolate Toppings:

While the dough is chilling, you can optionally prepare the caramel and chocolate toppings that give turtle cookies their signature flavour and appearance. For the caramel, you can melt store-bought caramel bits or squares, or make your own homemade caramel sauce. Similarly, melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips to create a decadent drizzle for the cookies.

Scooping and Shaping the Dough:

Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. This will make it easier to scoop and shape. Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out the dough into equal-sized balls. If desired, you can roll each dough ball in chopped pecans or other toppings before placing them on a baking sheet.

Baking the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe, typically around 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Place the dough balls onto the prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies according to the recommended time and temperature in your recipe. They are typically baked for around 10-12 minutes, but keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.

Creating the Turtle Toppings:

Once the cookies are baked and slightly cooled, it's time to create the signature "turtle" toppings. Use a small spoon or your finger to make a slight indentation or crater in the centre of each cookie. Fill these indentations with the melted caramel, creating delicious caramel pools. Finally, drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies for a finishing touch.

Cooling and Storing:

Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before serving or storing. You can store turtle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer-term storage.

Rolling the dough

First, make sure you have prepared your cookie dough by mixing all the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls, and then combining them to form a sticky and thick dough. It is crucial to chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight if possible. Chilling the dough reduces stickiness, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from becoming too flat.

Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 to 20 minutes. This step is important because it will make the dough easier to roll and shape. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking.

Now it's time to roll the dough into balls. Use a medium cookie scoop or a melon baller to scoop and roll the dough into evenly sized balls. If you don't have a scoop, you can use your hands, but make sure to wipe your hands clean after shaping a few balls as the dough is sticky. Aim for a heaping 1.5 tablespoons of dough for each ball.

After shaping the dough balls, it's time to add some texture and flavour. Roll each dough ball in chopped pecans, pressing them gently so they stick to the surface. You can also roll the dough balls in a mixture of chopped pecans and mini chocolate chips for an extra indulgent touch. Place the coated dough balls on a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

At this stage, you can create a slight indentation or "crater" in the top of each dough ball using your finger, the back of a small spoon, or a melon baller. This indentation will be filled with delicious melted caramel later, adding a gooey centre to your turtle cookies.

Finally, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges appear set. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want to over-bake them. The centres should still look slightly soft when you remove them from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

And that's it! You've successfully rolled and baked your turtle cookie dough. The next step is to add the delicious toppings, such as melted caramel and chocolate, to transform these cookies into mouth-watering treats.

Baking the cookies

Now for the fun part: baking!

Preheat your oven to 350°F. While you wait, whip up the egg whites in a bowl until they're nice and foamy. Grab another bowl and toss in your chopped pecans.

Once the oven's ready, grab your cookie dough from the fridge and start shaping it into balls. You can go for an even, rounded shape, or add a slight indentation with your finger to the top of each one—this will be the perfect spot for your caramel filling.

Next, we'll coat these dough balls. First, dip them into the whisked egg whites, and then roll them in the chopped pecans. Place the coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Keep them about 2-3 inches apart so they have room to spread during baking.

Now, pop them in the oven and bake for around 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—you want the edges to be set but the centres still soft.

When the timer goes off, take them out and use the back of a small spoon to gently re-press the indentations. This will create the perfect space for your caramel filling.

For the filling, you'll need to melt your caramel. You can do this in the microwave by heating it in short bursts and stirring in between. Be careful not to overheat it! Alternatively, you can melt it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently.

Once your caramel is nice and smooth, it's time to fill those indentations. Spoon a generous amount of caramel into each indentation, taking care not to overfill.

At this point, your cookies are technically done, but if you want to take them to the next level, you can add a chocolate drizzle. Simply melt some chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stovetop and drizzle it over the cookies.

And there you have it! Your turtle cookies are ready to enjoy. Let them cool for a bit, and then dig in!

Adding the toppings

Once your turtle cookies are baked, it's time to add the toppings!

First, you'll want to re-press the indentation in the centre of each cookie. You can use the back of a small spoon or a melon baller to do this. This indentation will create space for the caramel pool in the middle of each cookie.

Next, melt your caramel. You can use store-bought caramel bits or squares, or make your own caramel sauce from scratch. If using bits or squares, simply melt them in the microwave, stirring at intervals. For a homemade caramel sauce, try melting store-bought caramels with heavy cream or half-and-half. You could also try a mix of butter, brown sugar, and milk or cream.

Once your caramel is melted, pour a small spoonful into the indentation on each cookie. You can also drizzle or pipe the caramel on top of the cookies for a more decorative look. Allow the caramel to set before adding the next topping.

Finally, melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cookies. You can use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate, depending on your preference. For a vegan option, use dairy-free chocolate chips. You can also sprinkle the cookies with sea salt instead of adding chocolate.

Frequently asked questions