Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup caramel bits or soft caramel candies, chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chunks
For Topping:
- Additional chopped pecans
- Sea salt (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Fold in Pecans and Caramel:
Gently fold in the chopped pecans and caramel bits into the cookie dough. Ensure even distribution of the nuts and caramel throughout the dough.
Form Cookie Dough Balls:
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
Add Chocolate Chips:
Press a few chocolate chips or chunks onto the top of each cookie dough ball.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set. The cookies may still be soft in the center, which is fine. Avoid over-baking to keep them chewy.
Optional Toppings:
While the cookies are still warm, you can optionally sprinkle additional chopped pecans and a pinch of sea salt on top for extra flavor.
Cooling:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooled, these Turtle Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! They are perfect with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage.
These Turtle Cookies are a delightful combination of rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans. Enjoy!