Last Updated on September 5, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh

If you’re on the hunt for the best Christmas Cookie recipe, you’ve found it. These Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies are always a hit when we make them during the holiday season. They’re got a buttery cocoa cookie with an indentation, in the center, that’s filled with caramel and pecan, then they’re drizzled with chocolate. Does it get any better than that? If there’s one cookie my family asks me to make year after year, it’s this one!

In case you’re unfamiliar, thumbprint cookies are a basic drop cookie that has a center filling. The indentation for the filling is made by gently pressing your thumb into the cookie. It’s a vintage type of cookies that’s been around for years. The Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookie has been popular for generations and the Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookie is my own creation. Our Grandmothers definitely made thumbprint cookies, but maybe not on this level.

The chopped pecans add a bit of crunch to the cookie, the cocoa powder makes them super chocolatey and the caramel drizzle is the perfect finishing touch. They’re a bit more extra steps than your average cookie recipe, but still doable for beginner bakers.

I promise that if you’ve got a Christmas cookie exchange to attend or you’re throwing a holiday party, these are the cookie that everyone will go after! These always disappear first on my holiday cookie tray.

Looking for even more amazing Christmas cookies, I’ve got you covered! Here are my tried-and-true holiday cookies that everyone loves:

• Frosted Anise Sugar Cookies
• Bourbon Ball Cookies
• Spiced Rum Chocolate Chip Cookies

How To Make Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

I swear by the proper baking techniques. Everyone can make the same cookie recipe, but it turns out slightly different. That’s because bakers are using different techniques. I make my cookies with a cookie sheets and silicone baking mats. Silicone baking mats help the cookies bake evenly and ensure the bottoms don’t burn. Parchment paper works in a similar fashion, but I don’t recommend using it, or spraying with non-stick spray. Silicone mats are what I swear by!

When To Bake These Cookies & Why We Love This Recipe

I feel like this is a very unique cookie recipe. It incorporates a lot of traditional flavors, but the thumbprint shape is perfect for holding the caramel. You don’t see this type of cookie coming and going during the Christmas season.

I make this cookie for my holiday cookie trays, church gatherings, bake sales, cookie exchanges and as a dessert for just the family to enjoy. They’re unique enough to enjoy just on their own or you can add them to a beautiful dessert table for Christmas.

How To Keep Your Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies Fresh

After your thumbprint cookies have baked and cooled, and the caramel is set, you’ll want to store them in an airtight food storage container. I like to add a layer of wax paper between layers if you want to stack the cookies. For best freshness, enjoy the cookies within 3-4 days of baking. They stay soft and fresh during that time period.

How To Make Your Cookies Ahead of Time

If you want to serve your cookies at an event or for Christmas dinner dessert, then make them the day before. You can follow the whole recipe and then just cover the cookies so they’ll stay fresh. If you’re serving them for a special occasions and you’ve made them ahead of time, I recommend not stacking the cookies. They’ll look fresh out of the oven!

Can You Freeze Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies?

Yes! You can freeze these thumbprint cookies for up to three months at a time. I keep them in freezer bags or you can cover them in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to serve them again, just be sure to thaw them to room temperature. This is so important with the caramel filling! It’s easy to make them before Christmas though and have cookies ready to go during the holiday season.

Recipe Substitutions

You can easily substitute chopped walnuts to use instead of pecans, if you prefer the flavor of walnuts. If you prefer to use a sugar substitute, follow the directions of the packaging. You want to make the correct substitution for a sugar-free option.

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

• Unsalted Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Egg
• Milk
• Vanilla Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Cocoa Powder
• Salt
• Cocoa Powder
• Chopped Pecans
• Caramels (I use the Kraft brand of caramels and unwrap them)
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Milk Chocolate Morsels

Directions To Make Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

In a large mixing bowl, or your stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour until easier to handle.

Roll into 1-inch balls. Beat the egg white. Dip the balls into the egg white and roll them into the chopped pecans. Place 2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Gently use your thumb to indent the cookies in the center.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire cooling rack.

In a glass bowl, add heavy whipping cream and caramels. Microwave on high for 30-second increments until melted, stirring in-between. Use a teaspoon to add caramel into the center of each cookie.

Lastly, melt the milk chocolate morsels in the microwave, using a glass bowl. Stir the melted chocolate and drizzle over the top of each cookie. Let the cookies set before enjoying!