Turtle Thumbprint Cookies.
I decided this past weekend to start my holiday Christmas cookie baking.
Every year, I make several of my same, tried and true faves, but I also like to try one or two new recipes, so I couldn’t resist the visions dancing in my head when I came across these Turtle Thumbprint Cookies I discovered through a Pinterest search.
And – oh boy – they did not disappoint!
If you love the flavor combo of chocolate, caramel and pecan that makes the classic “turtle,” you are going to go nuts over these!
Hope you will give them a try.
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
- 1 lb. (4 sticks) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 2/3 cup sugar
- 4 eggs (divided – yolk for cookies, white for topping)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract (please only use pure – not imitation)
- 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. salt
Topping:
- 2 – 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- Egg whites (from divided eggs above)
- 1 jar caramel sauce (your fave – I used Smuckers)
Directions:
Beat butter and sugar in mixer on medium-high speed until well blended – about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks, vanilla, and almond extract, while continuing to beat.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
Reduce mixer speed to low-medium, and add half of the flour mixture. Beat until incorporated, then add half of milk, followed by other half of flour mixture, and finally other half of milk. Beat until all ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat.
Place dough in Ziploc plastic bag or cover bowl tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk egg whites until fluffy.
Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Coat each ball with egg white, then roll in chopped pecans. Place on baking stone (the only thing I bake cookies on) or cookie sheet. Using a small spoon (I used a baby spoon) or your finger, indent each cookie ball in the center until a circle is formed.
Bake for 12-13 minutes. Cookies will still be soft when you remove from oven. Allow to cool on baking stone/cookie sheet.
Once cooled, remove to cooling rack, and spoon in caramel sauce.
Enjoy right away or pack in single layers in Ziploc freezer bags and freeze until ready to serve.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
That pecan topping looks so delicious!
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👍love pecans 😉
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Jodi, Do you deliver? Ha. Ha. They look great as everything you make, but naturally better in Pa then in my kitchen because they wouldn’t last here very long as I have No will power when it comes to sweets! Luv Gary
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We will be sure to have plenty of sweets when you come to visit 😉
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Yes, delivery would be great! (although not for my diet…) (K)
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Pick up is available 👍😉
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Where is my flying saucer?…
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Look out for it in a couple days 😉
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Oh…I am gushing over the gooeyness!
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lol – they are pretty amazing 🙂
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These look so good. Doc said no sugar, carbs, cholesterol… I think these will be okay though… He didn’t say anything about Turtle Thumbprint Cookies! 😁
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Right!!! 👍😉
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Another ‘Jodi Bookmark.’ LOVE turtles. And just found out there’s a King Arthur flour that works very well in wheat flour recipes…. Can’t wait to experiment!
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Can’t wait to hear about!!
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Jodi, they’re so pretty! And they look mouth-watering too. 😀 Hugs.
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Thanks!!! 👍😉😜
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These look so beautiful and yummy
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👍😉🌲❤️
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Your cookies would have my thumbprints all over them for sure!! Yum!
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Lol. They are crazy good 😜
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OMG, I Would love these! Turtles is my favorite candy so I am sure these would be my favorite cookie!
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They are amazing!!!
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Oh my, I need to make these cookies!! Thanks, Jodi!! Yum 😋
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You really do 😉😜👍
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Oh, these look divine!! ❤️👍 Like how you photographed them with Colleen’s candy canes too! 🎄🌟🎄
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☺️👍❤️
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We are going to try making these with a gluten free substitute, wish us luck! Hoping that the many flavors will obscure the taste of a different flour. Thank-you!
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Oh I hope so much it turns out! Let me know!! ☺️
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You are gluten free too Ellen? I am eager to know if they turn out right, for I was wondering the same thing because I have a gluten allergy. I will wait to hear from you. 🙂
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My youngest daughter, Benjamin’s Mommy, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a few months ago. This has led her Mother on the never ending quest for substitutes that taste good. I’m sure you know that it is not always a successful endeavor. I will gladly share the outcome of this baking adventure.
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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Sound and look so delicious!!
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to die for! 🙂
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OOOOHHH! I’m going to make these and give them as gifts. My Diva Dog’s Groomer will love them! Although she might be disappointed if I don’t make her some homemade Almond Joy. 🙂 She loved that last year.
You make the most tempting foods, and baked good evah! (Deborah is smacking her forehead and saying, ) Jodi I love ya, but you’re killing me! Wish we could hike the calories off together Woman! We’ll have to shed these calories across the miles. 🙂
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awh! How sweet you are! I need to hike off some calories!
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They look rather yummy…. !
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they sure are!!
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Oh what beautiful little delights and I bet, so yummy 🙂 My tummy will thank me 🙂 🙂 🙂
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sooo yummy!
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I bought a big bag of pecans yesterday! I foresee butter pecan cookies in my future! Those will have to come first, I’ll see if I have it in me to make these later, lol. 🙂
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Oh they are soooooooooooooo good! I HIGHLY recommend!
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Love these..:)
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I know you would George! 🙂
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Delicious, I’ll have two please!
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👍😉
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Those look delicious, Jodi! I started baking my Christmas cookies this morning, whipping up a batch of traditional (and usually quite easy) spritz. For some reason, it took me all morning! I guess I’ve lost the touch of baking cookies, but I’d better get it back soon….
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Yum! Have fun!
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My boys always loved these cookies! Looks yummy 🙂 🙂
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👍😉🌲
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My sweet tooth loves holiday cookies—and I fear my other teeth may also be sweet on holiday cookies as well. 😀
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lol!
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Love!
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🙂
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these, are heaven’s treats….
looking forward to them.
i loved these, boy they look utterly Divine Jodi 🙂 ❤
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👍😉
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Your cookies are lovely!Loved your photos!
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Thanks! ☺️
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Oh wow, these look so good!!
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they are!!!!! 🙂
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