Chocolate Turtle Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• Generously butter 2 baking sheets.
• On the baking sheets, arrange the pecan halves in snowflake-shaped clusters of 5 pecans each, overlapping the nuts in the center, leaving 2 inches of space between each.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the evaporated milk, the corn syrup, and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk and the 4 tablespoons butter, and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches the soft ball stage, 240 degrees F. Stir in the vanilla and remove from the heat. Let cool to 200 degrees F.
• Using a tablespoon, spoon caramel on top of each nut cluster and let harden. (If the caramel becomes too stiff to pour, return to low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until it returns to the proper consistency.)
• To make the chocolate coating, in the top of a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over barely simmering water, combine 6 ounces of the chocolate and the shortening. Melt over low heat, stirring, until it reaches 116 to 118 degrees F, or feels fairly warm but not hot to the touch.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate reaches 80 degrees F or feels cool to the touch. Return to low heat and cook, stirring, until the temperature rises to 85 to 87 degrees F, or feels barely cool. Remove from the heat.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of tempered chocolate over each cluster. Set aside in a cool place to harden. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, with waxed paper separating the layers to prevent sticking.

Steps:

• Preheat waffle iron.
• In a large bowl stir together melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
• Add flour; stir just until combined.
• Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of batter into center of each waffle grid.
• Cook on medium-high heat about 2 minutes, adjusting heat as necessary.
• Using a fork transfer cookies to rack; cool.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• When cool, mound cookies on a platter.
• For glaze: In a small saucepan heat 1/4 cup butter and water over low heat until melted.
• Add the 3 tablespoons cocoa and stir until smooth.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat in powdered sugar and the 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Stir in additional hot water, if needed, to reach drizzling consistency.
• Drizzle over cookies along with caramel topping.
• Sprinkle with pecans.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a small cup, dissolve the espresso powder in the vanilla extract.
• In the top of a double boiler over hot, but not simmering water, melt the coarsely chopped chocolates with the butter, stirring frequently until smooth.
• Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large bowl. Using a wire whisk, stir in 1/2 cup of the sugar. Gradually stir in the eggs. Mix in the remaining 1 cup of sugar and the espresso/vanilla mixture. Stir in the flour mixture. Stir in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
• Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies. Insert 5 pecan halves around the bottom of each cookie to represent the "turtle's" 4 legs and head.
• Bake the cookies, 1 baking sheet at a time, for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookie's tops start to crack. Do not overbake; the cookies should be soft and fudgy.
• Cool the cookies on the sheets, set on a wire rack.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. These cookies freeze well.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Microwave butter on high until melted. Add chocolate chips and milk; microwave until chips are melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Stir in pecans and caramel bits., Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until edges are set, 7-9 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For icing, microwave chocolate chips and shortening on high until melted. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Beat cake mix, Neufchatel and eggs in large bowl with mixer until blended. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts.
• Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray. Gently press 1 caramel piece into center of each.
• Bake 10 to 12 min. or until cookies are slightly firm to the touch; cool 3 min. on baking sheets. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely.