As Thanksgiving approaches, the excitement of holiday baking is in full swing. Every year, I tell myself I’ll finally share all our family’s favorite cookie recipes before the holiday rush hits, but somehow, time slips away, and I never quite get to everything. This season, though, introducing Turtle Thumbprint Cookies! My mom and best friend visited last month, and we spent hours reminiscing about our favorite family holiday recipes and the cozy parties my parents used to host.
Growing up, I remember helping my mom in the kitchen, prepping cookie dough in advance to save time before the big gatherings. We’d roll the dough, freeze it, and pull it out just before the party. This Turtle Thumbprint Cookie dough is perfect for that simple ingredient, easy to make, and can be prepared ahead of time.
When it comes to holiday treats, I’m all about chocolate, especially old-fashioned recipes handed down from my grandparents and mom. These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are always a hit on the dessert table, and I can’t resist making a batch every year to share with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat. Rich, chocolaty, and decadently filled with caramel. The cookie base is a soft, chocolate sugar cookie with a hint of almond extract, giving it that classic holiday flavor. Each cookie is rolled in crunchy toasted pecans, adding texture and warmth, and filled with a gooey caramel center that’s pure bliss in every bite. Not only are they easy to make, but the dough can also be prepared ahead of time, making them perfect for busy holiday schedules. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that brings together the best flavors of the season in one unforgettable bite!
These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies have a special place in my heart, bringing back memories of cozy holiday gatherings and family traditions. Growing up, I loved anything chocolate, especially during the holidays, and these cookies were always the first to disappear from the dessert table. There’s something irresistible about the combination of rich chocolate, crunchy pecans, and that sweet caramel center that feels like the perfect holiday indulgence. Every bite reminds me of baking with my mom, rolling the dough, dipping it in pecans, and carefully filling each one with caramel. Making these cookies each year brings me right back to those moments, and I can’t imagine the holiday season without them.
Ingredients That Make These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies Irresistible
Every ingredient in this Turtle Thumbprint Cookie recipe has been carefully chosen to create a rich, decadent treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. Using quality ingredients ensures a cookie that’s flavorful, tender, and filled with nostalgic holiday charm. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookies, providing structure and a soft, chewy bite.
- Cocoa Powder: Adds a deep chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the caramel and richness of the pecans.
- Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Unsalted Butter: Using butter at room temperature creates a tender, buttery base for the cookies. Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness of the final cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping to create a slight crispness on the outside.
- Egg Yolks: Contribute to the richness of the cookies while helping to bind the dough.
- Milk: Adds moisture to the dough, creating a softer, more tender texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A classic addition that complements the chocolate and caramel beautifully.
- Almond Extract or Emulsion: This adds a subtle hint of flavor that elevates the richness of the chocolate and gives the cookies a distinctive holiday taste.
For the Topping:
- Caramel Sauce: The star of the filling! A rich, gooey caramel center makes each bite extra indulgent. You can use a store-bought caramel sauce or try a homemade version for added flavor.
- Chopped Pecans: The perfect nutty crunch that balances the softness of the cookie and pairs wonderfully with chocolate and caramel.
- Egg Whites: Used to coat the dough before rolling in pecans, helping the nuts stick for a deliciously crunchy outer layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated. You can also freeze the dough for up to a month, then simply thaw, shape, and bake when you’re ready.
Can I substitute the pecans with another type of nut?
Absolutely! If you prefer a different nut or have allergies, you can substitute the pecans with walnuts, almonds, or even skip the nuts altogether. Just be aware that each nut brings its own unique flavor and texture.
How do I keep the caramel from hardening in the cookies?
If your caramel becomes too firm after baking, gently warm it up before spooning it into the thumbprints. Also, using a high-quality or homemade caramel sauce helps ensure it stays soft and gooey.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty flavor.
What should I do if the cookie dough is too soft to work with?
If the dough feels too sticky or soft, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough makes it easier to shape and helps the cookies hold their form during baking.
Can I use a homemade caramel sauce for these cookies?
Yes! A homemade caramel sauce adds a delicious, personalized touch to the cookies. If you’d like to try it, I recommend using a thicker caramel recipe so it holds in the center of each cookie.
How should I store these cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’d like to store them longer, keep them in the refrigerator or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Are these cookies suitable for a cookie exchange or holiday gift?
Absolutely! These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a homemade gift. Their rich flavor and festive appearance make them a standout on any cookie tray.
More Christmas Cookies for you to try!
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites
- 15 Most Popular Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Checkerboard Cookies Recipe
- Pecan Snowballs
- Christmas Cornflake Wreath Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
Other Christmas Snack and Treats
- Christmas Crack (Best Saltine Cracker Toffee Candy)
- Moose Munch Christmas Snack Mix
- Easy Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (16 tablespoons), at room temperature
- 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks (save egg whites for topping)
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or emulsion
Topping
- 1 2/3 cup chopped pecans
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 jar caramel sauce (see notes for recipe)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt; set aside.In a bowl fit with a mixer, beat together sugar and butter on medium-high speed; about 3 minutes.Continue to beat and add egg yolks, one at a time. Beat in vanilla and almond extract.Turn mixer to low-medium and beat dry ingredients into wet ingredients a little at a time. Alternate with milk and finish on flour mixture. Beat until ingredients incorporated. Refrigerate tightly wrapped dough for at least 1 hour.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Use a cookie scoop to scoop dough. Cut cookie dough scoop in half and roll each half into a ball. Roll dough into 1 inch balls.In a medium-tall dish, whisk egg whites. Coat each chocolate ball with egg white then roll in chopped pecans. Place on baking sheet.Using the underside of a teaspoon, carefully indent each round ball, pressing down until circle is formed. Bake in oven for 13 minutes. Cookies will still be soft until cooled. Allow to cool then remove from baking sheet and spoon in caramel sauce.
Nutritional information is only an estimate and it’s accuracy is not guaranteed to be exact.
Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box
Create an account on our website and save your favorite recipes. You’ll be able to access your recipe box on any device! You can keep track of your favorite recipes and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.
19 Responses
Can these be frozen?
After baking the cookies before adding the caramel sauce, you can freeze them. Once completely cool, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until stiff. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature and add the caramel sauce.
These are one of my favorite cookies to make and eat. Each recipe has a little variation-some work some don’t. These cookies were easy to handle, rolled in walnuts when I ran out of pecans and caramels were easy because I bought Werther’s soft caramel–could not find any others in the store. Cookies were a nice treat for my friends.
Do you think you could place wrapped caramels in the middle of the cookies, midway through baking, instead of making the caramel sauce?
I have not tried it but you could try it with 1 cookie and see if it works. That way, you won’t waste anything. If it doesn’t work, you could place the caramel candies in a small saucepan with 1-2 tbsp milk and cook on medium heat and stir until melted. Then, add the melted caramel to the center of the cookies after baking.
I’ve made thumbprint cookies before, but not like these. They look amazing.
Since I do not eat eggs, I will be forwarding this recipe to my sister, she bakes cookies all the time, and I know she will really enjoy this one!
Ooh I just love cookies that can be prepared and the kept as a roll in the fridge until needed, these will be making it into our Holiday baking routine for sure!!
Mmm..these cookies are calling my name! I do believe I’m going to make them for an upcoming Holiday party. Thanks for sharing!
Wow…these look so good! What a sweet treat for this holiday season!
How wonderful is caramel at center ! I would finish all these in no time 🙂
I make these every year for Christmas! My husband’s favorite! Definitely hard not to eat them all as you make them!
I love caramel, these look AMAZING:) Definitely saving this, maybe my daughter will make them for me, double bonus;)
These would be terrible to make for a Christmas party. I would eat them all before the party even got started.
These look so delicious.. I love the idea of the caramel sauce right in between.. it will be such a delight to bite into one of these!
oh this Turtle Thumbprint Cookies looks so delicious… wish I had some right now!
These looked great and I am looking forward to baking them. Just curious, what is the secret ingredient?
Almond extract! haha 🙂 it really adds a unique flavor to the chocolate
I have made these several times and they are always a big hit..