Decadent Turtle Cookie Truffles: Your Ultimate Easy Holiday Indulgence
Pecans, caramel, and crushed cookie bits, all wonderfully rolled and coated in rich melted chocolate – these Turtle Cookie Truffles are a holiday dream come true! If you’re searching for a treat that combines classic flavors with impressive presentation and surprisingly simple steps, look no further. Get ready to fall head over heels for these delightful confections.
This recipe was developed in partnership with Diamond of California.
Embrace the Holiday Baking Season with Ease
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, the festive season officially kicks off, and with it, “Operation Make and Eat All the Christmas Treats” can joyfully commence! Like many, I have a cherished collection of holiday baking traditions. Recipes like frango mint fudge, ethereal divinity, and my grandmother’s famous gingersnaps are just a few that evoke heartwarming memories and fill my home with irresistible aromas.
However, my role as a recipe developer means I’m always on the hunt for exciting new creations each holiday season. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it, right? Over the years, I’ve accumulated what feels like approximately 172 new favorite sweet treats, and there’s simply no way to make them all in one year. What’s a dessert enthusiast to do when faced with such a delicious dilemma?
Well, I do what I can, and I start with the absolute best. First things first: let’s dive into these truly amazing turtle cookie truffles. I just came up with this recipe, and I’ve already fallen completely in love. They are incredibly easy to make, require no baking for the filling, and offer that perfect balance of nutty, sweet, and chocolatey goodness that defines a classic turtle candy, but in a delightful truffle form. These are perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or simply indulging yourself after a long day of festive preparations.
The Irresistible Allure of Chocolate, Caramel, and Pecans
Is there any better flavor combination than chocolate, caramel, and pecans? If you ask me, it’s a match made in culinary heaven. The deep, slightly bitter notes of chocolate perfectly complement the rich, buttery sweetness of caramel, while the pecans add a satisfying crunch and an earthy, nutty depth that brings everything into perfect harmony. These classic “turtle” flavors are beloved for a reason, and transforming them into an easy-to-make cookie truffle elevates the experience to new heights.
Effortless Elegance: Crafting Your Truffles
These homemade truffles are refreshingly simple to throw together, making them an ideal project for busy holiday schedules or a fun activity for a quiet afternoon. The secret to their incredible texture and flavor lies in a few key ingredients that come together with minimal fuss.
The luxurious inside of each truffle is a delightful blend of crushed shortbread cookie crumbs, finely chopped Diamond of California Pecan Chips, readily available store-bought caramel sauce (though, for the ambitious, homemade caramel is always a delicious option), and a touch of cream cheese. The cream cheese adds a wonderful tang and binds everything together, creating a perfectly soft, yet firm, truffle filling.
Simply mix all these ingredients until well combined, then chill the mixture briefly. This chilling step is crucial, as it firms up the truffle base, making it much easier to roll into uniform balls. Once chilled, these delightful centers are ready for their decadent chocolate bath. Dipping them in melted semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate provides the perfect outer shell, locking in all the glorious flavors and giving them that professional, gourmet finish.
Decorating Your Chocolate Caramel Pecan Truffles
One of the joys of making truffles is customizing their appearance. You can decorate these turtle cookie truffles in a few appealing ways, depending on your preference and how you plan to serve them.
The simplest method is to give them a classic look by topping them with a sprinkle of extra pecans immediately after dipping them in chocolate, while the chocolate is still wet. This ensures the pecans adhere beautifully, providing both visual appeal and an extra nutty bite.
For an extra touch of cuteness and scrumptiousness, you can let the chocolate set completely, and then drizzle more caramel sauce over each truffle before topping with additional pecans. This extra caramel layer truly enhances the “turtle” experience, adding another layer of gooey sweetness. However, a word of caution: the extra caramel can be quite sticky and, over time, tends to run a bit. If you opt for the caramel drizzle, it’s best to serve and enjoy the truffles right away to maintain their pristine appearance. Alternatively, you can chill them immediately after drizzling and serve them cold to help the caramel hold its shape.
If you’re planning on transporting these homemade delights, or if they’re destined to be lovely gifts for friends and family, it’s probably best to skip the extra caramel drizzle. They remain absolutely amazing and utterly delicious without it, and you’ll avoid any potential sticky messes during transit. A simple pecan topping is elegant and hassle-free.
Make Room for One More Holiday Favorite!
What’s on your holiday baking bucket list this year? With so many festive treats to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down. But my motto is that there is always room for one more delicious indulgence! These chocolate caramel pecan cookie truffles are so easy, so flavorful, and so utterly delightful that they would absolutely love to party with you and become a new staple in your holiday repertoire. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser and a conversation starter at any gathering.
baking tip:How to use a double boiler to melt chocolate
Melting chocolate can sometimes be tricky, but a double boiler makes the process incredibly easy and prevents scorching. A double boiler is essentially a setup made up of two pots: a larger pot that contains hot water, and a smaller, heat-proof pot or bowl that fits snugly on top, using the steam from the simmering water to gently heat and melt the chocolate.
While you can certainly purchase a specific double boiler melting pot designed to fit over a saucepan, a simple improvisation works just as well. Any heat-proof bowl—whether it’s made of glass, silicone, or metal—that can rest securely over a saucepan without touching the water will do the trick.
- Begin by filling the bottom pot with 1 to 2 inches of water. Bring this water to a low simmer; it’s important that it does not come to a full, rolling boil, as too much heat can seize the chocolate.
- Place your top pot or heat-proof bowl on top of the simmering water. Add your chopped chocolate to this upper bowl.
- Stir the chocolate frequently. The gentle steam from the bottom pot will warm the chocolate from below, causing it to melt slowly and evenly. Continuous stirring ensures even melting and prevents any part from overheating.
- Remove the top pot from the heat when the chocolate has almost completely melted, but a few small pieces still remain. Continue to stir the chocolate off the heat until it is fully melted and perfectly smooth. The residual heat in the bowl will melt the last few pieces, resulting in a beautifully tempered and glossy chocolate.
It’s crucial to keep a close eye on your chocolate during this process! Do not overheat it, and never let it sit on the double boiler after it has melted. Overheated or neglected chocolate can quickly scorch and seize. Seized chocolate becomes hard, grainy, and unfortunately, cannot be rescued or used for your truffles. Patience and gentle heat are key for perfectly melted chocolate, which is essential for these delectable turtle cookie truffles.
Turtle Cookie Truffles
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces shortbread cookie crumbs , see Notes (about 2 cups, 340 grams)
- 1 cup chopped pecans , divided (113 grams)
- 4 ounces cream cheese , at room temperature (113 grams)
- ¼ cup caramel sauce or ice cream topping (85 grams)
- 8 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate , chopped (225 grams)
- Additional caramel sauce for drizzling , optional
Instructions
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In a large bowl, either by hand or using an electric mixer, thoroughly combine the shortbread cookie crumbs, 3/4 cup of the chopped pecans, cream cheese (ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing), and the caramel sauce. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and form a cohesive dough-like consistency.
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Using a #40 cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into approximately 1-inch balls. Place these cookie truffle balls onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Transfer the pan to the freezer and chill for at least 10 minutes; this helps them firm up and makes dipping much easier.
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While the truffles are chilling, prepare your chocolate coating. You can melt the chocolate in the microwave on high, stirring in 30-second intervals until it’s smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, use a double boiler method (see baking tip above) by placing the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth and glossy.
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Working with one truffle ball at a time, dip it into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon to ensure it’s completely covered. Lift the chocolate-covered ball out with a fork, gently tapping the fork on the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate. Immediately place the dipped truffle back onto the lined pan and sprinkle with some of the remaining chopped pecans (refer to Notes for optional caramel drizzle). Continue this process with all remaining truffles.
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Allow the truffles to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to let the chocolate coating set completely. For a quicker set, you can place them in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Due to the cream cheese in the filling, these turtle cookie truffles should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and texture.
Notes
HELPFUL TIPS
- To create shortbread cookie crumbs, you can easily use a food processor to pulse the cookies until finely ground. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a large ziplock bag, seal it, and crush them with a rolling pin. Don’t worry if the crumbs aren’t perfectly uniform in size; a mix of textures can add to the charm.
- For an extra indulgent touch, if desired, allow the initial chocolate coating to set completely on the truffles. Then, for a true turtle candy experience, drizzle them with additional caramel sauce and sprinkle with more pecans. If choosing this option, serve immediately or chill right away, as the caramel drizzle can become quite sticky and runny at room temperature.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Diamond of California as part of a long-term culinary ambassadorship. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I love and believe in, which make Completely Deliciouspossible. All opinions are always 100% my own.
To find more great recipes using nuts visit the Diamond Nuts website. You can also find them on facebook, twitter, youtube, pinterest, and instagram.