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Chocolate chip cookies, melted chocolate, pecans, and melted caramel. That’s all you need to make these turtle cookies. I use a super-easy shortcut to make them and once you see it, I know you’ll want to give these caramel turtle cookies a try!
If you’ve ever thought turtle cookies are hard to make – I mean, they sort of look complicated, right? – I am here today to let you in on a little secret: they are one of my favorite easy cookies to make! I can’t wait to show you because once you see I know you’re going to want to make batches of them on repeat.
I mean, please. Chocolate, nuts, caramel? That’s a to-die for combination and when you add some chocolate chip cookies you end up with really special cookie that will leave everyone wondering how you made them. When you learn the secret short-cut it’s up to you if want to share it or not! But first…
What is Turtle Candy?
Turtle candy is a chocolate and caramel confection with pecans. They get their name because their shape resembles a turtle: chocolate coated caramel “shell” with pecans sticking out around the edges. Although, you can find them in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
That combination of pecans, chocolate and caramel is a wonderful one so of course it makes sense to combine it with a cookie in this case, chocolate chip cookies. So, that’s how you get turtle cookies.
Easy Turtle Cookies
Of course, I love from-scratch baking but let’s face it, sometimes there’s not much time to bake and when I need a quick batch of cookies, I pull out this turtle cookie recipe. All you need are Rolo candies, pecans and – are you ready for it? – refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough!
Yes, it’s premade cookie dough to the rescue! Once you’ve baked a batch there are just a few simple steps to turn a basic batch of cookies into something even better!
When I have time, I’ll pull out my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and make a batch of turtle cookies from scratch, so if you want to do that, you can. Just takes longer, that’s all!
I’ve made them both ways many times and I love how the cookies turn out whether I make them from scratch or with a little head start with premade dough.
Turtle Cookies – My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Hack!
Using the store-bought cookie dough for these easy turtle cookies is one of my favorite ways to doctor-up premade chocolate chip cookie dough!
- Bake 12 chocolate chip cookies following the package directions. Cool the cookies completely.
- Top each cookie with some melted chocolate.
- Add a pecan and top it with melted caramel.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
Once you’ve made the cookies give them some time to set up. You want the chocolate to harden before you store them in an airtight container. They will keep well for up to three days at room temperature.
You can also freeze the cookies! Once the turtle cookies are set store them in a freezer bag for up to three months. To thaw, just leave them out at room temperature.
You might never go back to regular chocolate chip cookies after you try these turtle cookies! It’s one of my favorite ways to dress up store-bought cookie dough and no one will guess they’re not made from scratch! All that caramel, chocolate and pecans takes them to a whole new level.
Other chocolate chip cookies I’ve posted:
- Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Reese’s Pieces Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
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Chocolate Chip Turtle Cookies
Ingredients
- 24 Chocolate Chip Cookies baked and cooled
- 24 Rolos
- 24 pecan halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place cookies on a cookie sheet. No need to spread them out! Place a Rolo on top of each cookie. Bake 1-2 minutes, or until the candy is starting to be melty.
- Press a pecan on top the melting Rolo immediately after removing from oven. Let cool to set.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe Nutrition
This easy recipe is the perfect way to dress up a store bought cookie, or start from scratch and use my chocolate chip cookie to make Turtle Cookies!
Last Updated on December 3, 2019
Yum!!! What a great idea, as if I need an excuse to buy a bag of caramels but it’s on my grocery list now!
I could kiss you right now. No wait. I take that back. I could strangle you right now because I am lacking chocolate chip cookies and caramels.
Clearly I will now have to step away from the computer to eat a handful of chocolate chips from the baking drawer.
These are definitely getting pinned.
I’d kill my husband if he worked from home. So I’ll be making these for me!
LOL! I thought I would too. It helps that he travels every few weeks – a day alone in the house! 🙂
I am wiping the drool from my lips as I read through the recipe. I think these may be a treat on Sunday. I have a “bucket” of cookie dough from Sam’s Club in my frig all the time. All I need to do is pick up a bag of caramels. To think that hubby might make them is almost laughable. He can turn on the microwave, but forget it when it comes to the stove or the dishwasher or anything else for that matter. Thanks for the fun post and great cookie idea.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
These look amazingly delicious.
Thank you!
My all time favorite candy in a cookie! Deliciousness! Love it!
Ha! *I* actually work from home on Mondays and Tuesdays, and guess what I’m wearing those days? Sweat pants and slippers, all the way! And, um, yeah…these cookies would be awesome while I’m working away at my home computer!
Working from home should be the rule. For everyone! 🙂 Thanks Ashley!
Yeup. I’m definitely drooling and super jealous that your husband gets to work from home. I wish mine could.
I want some now!
Love,
Mom
Yeah…sorry those didn’t make it to one of your visits… 🙂
Hahaha, I can tooootally picture all his coworkers wearing like, boxers and stuff underneath their desks with their suit and tie up top. Reminds me of when we had to take senior pictures and I thought every boy and every girl had their own respectable suit and tie and drape, but turns out, they were only COLLARS they put on the boys over their regular t-shirts and quarter jackets. Obviously really classy stuff right there 🙂
These cookies? You had me at the caramel. In fact, this kinda sorta makes me wanna dip a chocolate chip cookie into a jar of caramel sauce. Weird? Then I don’t want to be normal. YUM!
PS, hope your day is better tomorrow! (or today, if you’re reading this Wednesday!) 🙂
Thank you so much Hayley. You were so sweet today. Jordan and her little attitude are already in bed so no matter what, tonight will be an improvement over today. 🙂 AND OMG WHY HAVE I NEVER DIPPED MY COOKIES IN THE CARAMEL JAR??? You’re a genius.
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