These No Bake Turtle Cookies start with chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies topped with thick caramel, pecans, and a drizzle of chocolate! Perfect for Christmas baking. Includes step by step recipe video.
I love a good mash-up, you guys. I also love easy holiday treats that look like you spent a lot of time of them (because who actually has a lot of extra time around the holidays??). Enter these No Bake Turtle Cookies.
There are times, I’ll admit, when I come up with a recipe idea and I ask myself, “but, is it too much?”
I tell myself, “yes,” and then make it anyway.
Now, there is nothing wrong with a simple chocolate no-bake cookie. No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies are one of the best classic cookie recipes. But ever since the popularity of my Mint Chocolate No Bake Cookies, I’ve been dreaming up other ways to get creative with them.
This one was a no-brainer. Turtle cookies?? Obviously!
They are crunchy, chewy, chocolatey-caramel perfection. And they are way too easy for their own good!
And since I know how much you all love Turtle everything (like Turtle Pumpkin Pie, Turtle Pudding Pies, or Peanut Butter Turtle Thumbprint Cookies), I knew you wouldn’t opposed.
It’s important for the recipe that you use a dulce de leche or very, very thick caramel (like the super easy recipe included!). If you use a caramel sauce, it will slide off and be very messy! One thing we’re not into here is fork-and-knife cookies.
When you’re forming the cookies, you ideally want them pretty flat so that it’s easy to spread with caramel and the pecan won’t slide off the top. If you have time to make a slight indentation before the cookies firm up, that’s not a bad idea either!
I made sure the cookie base set up nice and firm so that it wouldn’t be a complete mess in your hands. I used quick oats, just because that’s what I had, but I don’t think using large oats would change much except that you will have even more texture in your cookies.
*To make the Dulce de Leche:
Remove the label from one or more cans of sweetened condensed milk and place in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 hours, making sure the can is completely covered with water the entire time. Remove from the water and let cool completely before using.
You can make as many as you want and store the unopened cans in the cupboard until ready to use! It’s a great thing to make ahead and will give you a nice, thick caramel as pictured.
Watch the recipe video and see how easy they are to make!
No-Bake Turtle Cookies
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 1/2 cups oats I used quick
- 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup dulce de leche see recipe in post
- 24 pecan halves
- 1/4 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper and set aside.
- In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, cocoa, milk, salt and vanilla. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, whisking often. Boil 1 minute, and then add oats and coconut to the pot and stir until combined.
- Drop by tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets and flatten the tops slightly. Allow to cool and set (you can speed this up in the refrigerator or freezer).
- Once set, spread each cookie with a spoonful of dulce de leche and top with a pecan half.
- Melt together chopped chocolate and milk and stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies and allow to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Store cookies in the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition Information
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Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Just finished the last cookies – they are SO good! Had some dulce de leche left so I made brownies. Threw in chocolate chips and walnuts. Dolloped the caramel on top and swirled it through. They are in the oven as I type! You have so many creative ideas – it’s nice to”converse” with you!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dorothy! I love your ideas too!
marcie says
Ashley, these cookies look off the charts delicious! Turtle desserts are some of my favorites — I definitely need to try these! 🙂
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Yum! Definately not too much!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I am loving that these are a no bake and that Dulce de Leche sauce looks amazing. I could drink it! Mmmm. Need to make these asap! Great recipe Ashley!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh yeah, these look pretty dang amazing! I love that you used the homemade dulce de leche trick, too. Love all these flavors together! <3
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! OMG! These are the best no bake cookies I have ever had! The cookies, even before the caramel, pecan and chocolate drizzle, are wonderful! I used my small cookie scoop and ended up with thirty 2″ cookies. Definitely a “keeper”! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dorothy! I’m so glad to hear that you liked them! They are a little decadent, but I’m all for a little indulgence every now and then!
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Yes is always the answer to everything chocolate and caramel. Always. 🙂 These look amazing, Ashley!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
These cookies look so good and I can’t believe they are no bake. Perfect for summer!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
These turtle cookies are SO not too much! they are brilliant!!! and that dulce de leche is everything!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
I feel like these cookies are just in my future this weekend. I mean, no-bake is already a huge plus but throw the word turtle into the party too?? I’m going, going, GONE! These are so happening here. 😀
Amber@twobirdperch says
Way to dress up chocolate no bake cookies! This looks decadent and delish! I love “turtle” anything! Pinned!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh my word! Talk about the best cookies EVER! And that caramel.. I really need to try making that dulce at home!!
Danielle says
No-bake cookies are one of my favorite things ever! I always just make them plain, but these are genius! I know what I’ll be doing next time I make a batch 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love that you made no-bake turtle cookies! They look absolutely perfect, Ashley! 🙂 Dulce de leche is my weakness!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kelly! I have sooooo many weaknesses! Lol
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
Those look like the perfect no bake cookies, definitely a no brainer making turtle cookies! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stacey!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These cookies look so delicious! Pinning!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Medha!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Perfect timing! I haven’t made cookies lately (too busy eating cake) and I have all these ingredients on hand. I always have dulce de leche on hand – did you know you can make it in the crockpot – no watching to make sure there’s enough water! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, too much cake is an okay problem to have! I have seen the slow cooker instructions but I’ve never actually tried it — I’ll definitely have to next time!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
I can’t believe these cookies are no-bake! Love that!! They looks fabulous!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Turtle cookies are definitely a no-brainer, especially when it’s the summer! That caramel sauce is just calling my name. These look perfect, Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Those sound like some amazing cookies! Can’t go wrong with chocolate and caramel 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks June!