They are rich and chocolaty and have a nice crunch from the pecans. The base alone makes a pretty tasty little snack, but the caramel and extra chocolate make it super fancy. I like fancy.

When someone does something nice for you, I think that it is always good form to reciprocate in the like. These cookies were a thank you gift for someone that helped me out of a bind. Sometimes, I am surprised at how kind people are. It is so refreshing to have someone out of the blue do something nice for you and make your life a little easier. These kinds of people need to be thanked. And thanked often. So, Mrs. C, thank you so much for helping me out last week. I truly appreciate it.
I remember Mrs. C telling me that she loved turtles. You know what I mean, the candy with caramel, chocolate, and pecans. Um, I like that combo too. But I had a hard time coming up with something to make. I searched the Interweb and eventually came across these from Better Homes and Gardens. They are rich and chocolaty and have a nice crunch from the pecans. The base alone makes a pretty tasty little snack, but the caramel and extra chocolate make it super fancy. I like fancy.
Do you have a fabulous turtle recipe? If so can you link it for me in the comments? Awesome. Thanks!
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Ingredients //
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup room temperature butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 16 caramels
- 3 tablespoons cream
- 1 1/4 finely chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

How to Make // The Steps
Step 1:
Separate the egg and reserve the egg white. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla. Put the flour, cocoa, and salt in a bowl.

Step 2:
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined.

Step 3:
Wrap the dough in parchment or plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.

Step 4:
Melt the caramels and the cream in a bowl. I microwaved mine in 30-second intervals and stirred them until they were completely melted. Set aside.

Step 5:
I used a small ice cream scoop and rolled the dough into balls.

Step 6:
Whip the reserved egg whites until foamy. Roll the dough balls into the egg whites. Then roll them into the chopped pecans.

Step 7:
Put the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using your thumb, press down to form a well in the cookie.

Step 8:
Bake the cookies in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. The edges will be firm. If your thumbprint puffs up, just press your thumb into it again.

Step 9:
If your caramel is too thick, stick it back in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it back up.

Step 10:
Fill the indent with the caramel.

Step 11:
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well in between each interval until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the oil until it is drizzling consistency and drizzle generously!


Aren’t they beautiful?
How to Package Them ?
I packaged them in a box lined with parchment. I found these cute little snowman stickers at Michaels. They are from the Martha Stewart collection. I added a little ribbon and a sticker and it is ready for giving.


Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Thumbprints or Turtle Thumbprints. Chocolate thumbprints rolled in chopped pecans and filled with caramel.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup room temperature butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 16 caramels
- 3 tablespoons cream
- 1 1/4 finely chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Separate the egg and reserve the egg white. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla. Put the flour, cocoa, and salt in a bowl.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
- Wrap the dough in parchment or plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
- Melt the caramels and the cream in a bowl. I microwaved mine in 30 second intervals and stirred them until they were completely melted. Set aside.
- I used a small ice cream scoop and rolled the dough into balls.
- Whip the reserved egg whites until foamy. Roll the dough balls into the egg whites. Then roll them into the chopped pecans.
- Put the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Using your thumb, press down to form a well in the cookie.
- Bake the cookies in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. The edges will be firm. If your thumbprint puff up, just press your thumb into it again.
- If your caramel is to thick, stick it back in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it back up.
- Fill the indent with the caramel.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring well in between each interval until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the oil until it is drizzling consistency and drizzle generously!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g
Yesenia
Monday 5th of December 2011
Hello Bree! I just discovered your website and I am in love! these little chocolate caramel pecans look devine and I can't wait to test them out myself, I am sure they will make someone very happy for Christmas! Would you mind telling me what recipe that delicious cup with whipped cream and crushed peppermint is under? looks yummy, thanks! - Yesenia
bakedbree
Wednesday 14th of December 2011
It is for rich and creamy hot chocolate. https://bakedbree.wpengine.com/rich-and-creamy-hot-chocolate
BB
Wednesday 29th of December 2010
I LOVE BAKING AND YOUR WEBSITE HELPS ME SO MUCH
bakedbree
Thursday 30th of December 2010
I am glad that I can help you out.
Michelle
Friday 3rd of December 2010
These look wonderful...I'm going to make them for a party tomorrow. Approximately how many in a batch?
bakedbree
Friday 3rd of December 2010
about 2 dozen.
Carrie
Friday 3rd of December 2010
Looks fantastic. I'm going to make these for my book club cookie swap. Can you tell me an estimate on how many cookies you got from this batch? Thanks!
bakedbree
Friday 3rd of December 2010
about 2 dozen thumbprints.
Emma Aubry
Wednesday 1st of December 2010
Hi Bree! This is my first time commenting, but I've been following your blog for a couple of months now and I absolutely adore it. I just wanted to let you know that I adapted this recipe on my blog, La Vie en Ginger--you can view it at https://emmaaubryroberts.blogspot.com if you are so inclined. Thanks for the idea!
bakedbree
Saturday 4th of December 2010
Thank you Emma! I'll check out yours.