I can’t believe the holidays are already here! I love the last 2 months of the year because of all the family and friend gatherings we have! Everyone stays cozy, inside together, we share stories of the past, hopes for the future and eat the most delicious foods. It’s the magic of the holidays and I’m getting all tingly inside just by typing this!
The ladies in our family even make a whole day of baking yummy goodies for our dinner and for friends/neighbors! We turn up the jolly tunes, everyone makes a few recipes and then we make up the best goody-bags to share! We have done this for as long as I can remember and it’s one of my favorite holiday traditions. Try it with your family this year if you haven’t before! It will most definitely get you in the holiday spirit!
Almost everyone has their ‘signature’ cookie they make every year and then they typically try one new recipe as well. Some have been a complete botch but some have received the honor to make it back on the menu the next year! One new recipe I tried a couple years ago that received such an honor are my Turtle Thumbprint Cookies! These cookies have been a hit with everyone and they are fun to make!
I love “turtle” flavored anything. The combination of chocolate, pecans, caramel and that hint of saltiness, if you so choose, is a winner in any form! There are certain steps in this recipe that your kiddos can be involved with that they will love! They also look so fancy when you’re done but they are truly, pretty simple!
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed down
- 1 egg, separate yolk and white
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
- 16 Kraft caramels
- 2 1/2 Tbsp heavy cream
- Sea Salt (optional)
- 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tsp shortening
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer (or you can use a hand-held mixer) whip the butter, brown sugar and white sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix in the buttermilk. With the mixer set on a slow speed, add in the dry ingredients in small increments. Mix until fully combined.
- Form the dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to chill for 30-45 minutes. (If not, the dough will be too sticky to form balls easily)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk the egg white in a small bowl until frothy. Place the finely chopped pecans in a separate bowl. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Then one at a time place a ball in the egg white, coat completely and let the excess drip off. Immediately place in the pecans and roll around to cover the entire surface. (You may gently press in the pecans so they stick well)
- Place the pecan-coated balls onto a non-stick cookie sheet and make the thumbprint indentations.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes. After they have come out of the oven, take a rounded teaspoon and press down the existing thumbprint indentation. After a couple minutes, transfer to a baking sheet to cool completely.
- Toppings:
- Place caramels and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on High for 30 seconds and then 10 second intervals afterwards as needed until smooth. Place caramel in the indentation and sprinkle with sea salt, if you so choose.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in another microwave safe bowl. Heat at 50% power for 30 seconds and then 10 second intervals until smooth. Pour chocolate into a ziplock baggie and barely cut the tip of a bottom corner. Use this to drizzle the chocolate over the cookies. You can get creative with your designs!
- Allow everything to set and place in an airtight container. ENJOY!
I hope you are able to get together with your family this season for a holiday cookie baking session! If you already do this, let me know what recipes are a must for your family! If you need more ideas, here are a few more recipes to try!
Kentucky Bourbon Ranger Cookies
Cinnamon Kissed French Butter Cream Cookies
Have a great Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
xoxo
