Turtle Cookies

 

Cookie Time is back! Once a week I am going to be sharing with you my favoritest cookie recipes!

 

Enjoy!

 

Turtle CookiesSource: Adapted from America's Test
Kitchen, as shared by Pixelated
Crumb


Cookie:


1 c. all-purpose flour


1/3 c.
cocoa powder


1/4 tsp.
salt


8 T. (1
stick) butter, softened


2/3 c.
sugar


1 large
egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white


2 T.
milk


1 tsp.
vanilla extract


1 1/4 c.
pecans, finely chopped

Caramel Filling:

14 soft caramel candies (I used
Kraft)


3 T.
heavy cream

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (I used
2 squares of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate)


1 tsp. shortening

Cookie: Combine flour, cocoa, and
salt; set aside. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar
until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix
until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just
combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy. Place
chopped pecans in another bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg
whites, and then roll in pecans. Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking
sheet. Using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center
of each dough ball. Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

Caramel Filling: Microwave caramels and cream
together in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 1 to 2
minutes. Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently re-press the
indentations. Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the caramel
mixture. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool
completely.

Chocolate Drizzle
(optional): Place chocolate and shortening in a small zip-top plastic bag. Set
bag in a bowl of warm water to soften. Gently knead the chocolate with your
fingers until melted and smooth, placing back in the warm water for a minute or
two as needed. Snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.
Drizzle chocolate over the cooled Turtle Cookies.

Enjoy!