Chocolate Chip Turtle Cookies

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

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!