Turtle Shortbread Cookie Recipe

The turtle shortbread cookie recipe is a kicked-up version of an old holiday favorite! Throw in little chocolate, caramel, and some pecans and you have a cookie that looks as good as it tastes!

Ingredients
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping:
24 caramel candies, unwrapped
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
1 cup chopped pecans
72 pecan halves

Hardware
Large bowl
Small microwave safe bowl
1-quart saucepan
Cookie sheets
Waxed paper
Mixer

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer set on medium high speed cream together the butter and almond extract.
Step 3: Stir in flour and salt. If dough is crumbly mix in an additional 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter.
Step 4: Place dough in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Divide dough into 12 equal parts. Roll each part into a 1/4-inch-thick circle. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Place wedges 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Step 6: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set. Immediately transfer cookies to a cooling surface for 30 minutes.

Topping:
Step 1: In a 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until melted. Keep caramels warm on low heat.
Step 2: In a small microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on high 1-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until melted and thin enough to drizzle.
Step 3: Dip 2 straight edges of each cookie into melted caramel, then into chopped pecans. Place cookies on waxed paper.
Step 4: On top of each cookie place a dot of chocolate in the center; place a pecan half on top of chocolate. Using the tines of a fork, drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top of each cookie.

The turtle shortbread cookie recipe makes 72 wedges.

For more information on baking procedures and hardware used in this recipe see our Baking Tips section.

For more Christmas cookie recipes look here.

Try these similar recipes.

Turtle Bars
Praline Scones




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