Turtle Cookies

My easy turtle cookies are everything I love about classic turtle candies in a warm, gooey baked treat that’s perfect for parties and potlucks. I make this recipe when I’m craving chocolate, caramel, and pecans all in one bite!

My Easy Turtle Cookie Recipe

My turtle cookies always take me back to when I worked at a local ice cream place, scooping ice cream and making the shop’s famous frozen turtles. I spent so many shifts layering ice cream, fudge, caramel, and pecans into little Dixie cups, then sticking in Popsicle sticks before they went into the freezer.

Years later when I was thinking back on those irresistible treats, it hit me that I could recreate those same flavors in the form of a cookie! 

I’ve seen turtle candies reimagined as brownies, bars, and clusters, but a cookie feels like the most fun and nostalgic. Plus, cookies let the chocolate, caramel bits, and chopped pecans melt together in a way that reminds me of the original frozen treats.

After a few batches with my kids, Leah and Connor as taste testers, I landed on a turtle cookie recipe that gives me the sweet, chocolatey base I want with the right mix of caramel and pecans folded in.

For more sweet recipes with nuts, check out my chocolate chip pecan cookies, chocolate covered pecans, chocolate chip cookies with walnuts, and oatmeal cranberry walnut cookies!

Turtle Cookie Ingredients

• Box of chocolate cake mix – This gives my cookies a rich chocolate base without any fuss. I usually grab Devil’s Food for the deepest flavor.
• Eggs – These bind the dough and help the cookies bake up soft.
• Vegetable oil – This keeps my cookies moist and gooey, like a cross between cake and a brownie.
• Caramel bits – I love using caramel bits because they melt into little pockets of sweetness without sticking to everything.
• Pecans – Roughly chopping them gives me small pieces of pecan that distribute evenly and add the right crunch and texture.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – These deepen the chocolate flavor and balance the sweetness from the caramel.

How to Make Turtle Cookies

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

STEP TWO: (Optional) Toast the pecans in a small dry skillet. It heightens the flavor of the nuts, and the results are so tasty.

STEP THREE: Add the cake mix, eggs, and oil to a large bowl and mix until well combined. The batter should be thick. Next, fold in ½ cup each of the caramel bits, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips.

STEP FOUR: Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each. Press the remaining pecans, caramel bits, and chocolate chips on top of each cookie.

STEP FIVE: Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes or until the edges have set. Let them cool on the cookie sheets for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Turtle Cookies

• I like to use a cookie scoop to spoon each dough ball so the cookies bake evenly and finish at the same time.
• If my cookie dough feels too sticky, I pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before baking.
• When I want a batch of smaller cookies for a party or potluck, I use a smaller cookie scoop and start checking on the cookies in the oven around the 8-minute mark.
• I line my baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to keep the bottoms of the turtle cookies from overbrowning.
• I let the cookies rest on the baking sheet when they come out of the oven for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to let them set and get the best texture.
• To freeze the cookie dough, I shape them into cookie balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. To bake from frozen, I just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Pecan Turtle Cookies Variations and Substitutions

• I sometimes switch up the cake mix and use a different chocolate variety when I want a change of flavor.
• Chopped caramel candies work well if I can’t find caramel bits.
• Different kinds of chocolate chips will work well for this recipe! I’ve used semi-sweet, milk, dark, or bittersweet depending on my mood.
• A touch of vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the cookies.
• I like adding a pinch of flaky salt on top when the cookies come out for a salty-sweet finish.
• I occasionally add chopped pretzels to the dough when I want a salty, crunchy turtle variation.

Turtle Cookies FAQs

Why is my turtle cookie crunchy?

When my cookies turn out crunchier than expected, it’s usually because I baked them a minute or two too long or they spread too much. I often chill my dough for 20-30 minutes before baking and also let the cookies fully cool on a wire rack to keep them soft and moist.

How to store leftovers 

I store my leftover turtle cookies in an airtight container on the counter, and they stay soft for up to 3 days. If I want them warm again, I give them a quick 8–10 seconds in the microwave so the caramel softens and the chocolate gets melty.

More Easy Holiday Desserts

• Hershey kiss cookies
• Peanut butter M&M cookies
• Cool whip candy
• Banana pudding with sour cream
• White trash recipe
• Christmas crack

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