Introduction

Turtle Bonbon Cookies are a delightful treat combining rich caramel, crunchy pecans, and bittersweet chocolate. These homemade cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors that are sure to impress your family and friends.

The image shows round cookies with a light beige color and smooth texture, each topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate and caramel sauces in stripes across the surface. Small chunks of nuts are sprinkled on top of the drizzled layers, adding a slight rough texture. The cookies sit closely together on a dark wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. The overall look is warm and inviting with rich brown and caramel shades standing out against the pale cookie base. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup White Granulated Sugar
1 cup Butter, room temperature
1 Large Egg
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
½ teaspoon Baking Soda
¼ teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Milk (add more if dough is too dry)
½ cup Chopped Pecans
6 tablespoons Butter (for caramel drizzle)
1 cup White Granulated Sugar (for caramel drizzle)
¼ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
⅛ teaspoon Salt (for caramel drizzle)
4 ounces Bittersweet Baking Chocolate Bars (see notes)
Chopped Pecans for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and egg, mixing well to combine.
Step 3: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and milk to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined, then fold in the chopped pecans.
Step 4: Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons) to portion the dough. Roll each portion into a ball and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies spring back when lightly touched. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: While the cookies bake, prepare the caramel drizzle. In a small saucepan, add ¼ cup of sugar at a time, cooking over medium heat until each portion melts and turns golden. Stir continuously.
Step 7: Slowly add 2 tablespoons of butter at a time to the melted sugar, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from heat, then stir in the heavy cream and salt. Allow the caramel to cool to room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
Step 8: Pour the caramel into a squeeze bottle or icing bag for easy drizzling.
Step 9: Melt the bittersweet chocolate in a small dish. Dip the bottom of each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate and place them on a wire rack or wax paper to set.
Step 10: Using the remaining melted chocolate and caramel, drizzle the tops of the cookies. Sprinkle with chopped pecans while the drizzles are still warm.
Step 11: If needed, chill the cookies in the fridge to allow the chocolate to fully set before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use a quality bittersweet chocolate bar for a richer chocolate drizzle.
If the dough feels too dry, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency.
For extra flavor, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the dough and for topping.
Substitute pecans with chopped walnuts if preferred.

Storage

Store Turtle Bonbon Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Before serving cold cookies, bring them to room temperature for the best texture. Avoid freezing as the caramel and chocolate drizzles may change texture upon thawing.

How to Serve

The image shows round cookie balls with a light beige base layer, topped with two layers of drizzle: a smooth dark brown chocolate layer and a golden caramel layer in stripes across the top. Small pieces of chopped pecans are scattered on each cookie ball, adding texture and color contrast with their light brown and cream tones. These cookie balls are placed closely together on a wooden board with a rich brown color, creating a warm and inviting setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid the cookies becoming too salty.

How do I prevent the caramel from burning?

Cook the sugar over medium heat and add it gradually. Stir continuously and watch closely to remove the pan from heat as soon as the sugar turns a rich golden color to prevent burning.