Turtle Loves

Christmas always brings more chocolates than I can eat. But I'd complain about that! Especially when the chocolates come in Turtles form! 

This year, at my house, the second day of Christmas is bringing us nothing less than one of the world's best chocolates transformed into one of the world's best cookies! These cookies incorporate the very best of Turtles candies. There's a chocolatey cookie as the base, then it's rolled in small pieces of pecans, baked until perfect, a small spoon of caramel is poured in the centre, and finally melted chocolate is drizzled over top. Could life taste any better? 

Thank you to the second day of Christmas that brings us two turtle doves and many more than two Turtle Cookies!

Turtle Cookies - makes 2-3 dozen

1 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup finely chopped pecans (I prefer to buy my pecans whole and chop them myself for freshness, and I suggest chopping them very fine as many of the larger pieces of pecans fell off)
10 Kraft caramels
3 tablespoons whipping cream
1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lay parchment paper on cookie sheets.

2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl.

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and milk and stir to combine.

4. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until combined.

5. Scoop small handfuls of chocolate dough with your hands and rolls into small balls. Roll balls into finely chopped pecans and press your thumb or a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon in the centre of each cookie.

6. Bake cookies for 12 minutes or until set. You may have to press a 1/2 measuring spoon into the centre of each cookie after they come out of the oven again. Let cookies cool.

7. While cookies are baking, heat the caramels and whipping cream in a small pot on the stove at medium heat. Stir to combine and let the sauce cool.

8. Pour a half teaspoon or so of the caramel sauce into the indented centre of each cookie.

9. Finally, melt chocolate chips and shorting in your microwave for about two minutes. Stir to combine and quickly flick a fork or spoon covered in melted chocolate across your cookies for a drizzled effect.

10. Enjoy with friends!

To make this recipe easier you could substitute store bought chocolate cookie dough for this suggested recipe.

And for another special treat, try melting your chocolate chips in a mug. After you've drizzled chocolate over your cookies you will probably have a little chocolate left in your mug. Just fill your chocolatey mug with milk, microwave for about two minutes, and stir for the best hot chocolate I've ever had!