The Gunny Sack

Turtle Ritz Cookies

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Turtle Cookies are Ritz crackers filled with creamy caramel, coated in chocolate and topped with chopped pecans!

Turtle Ritz Sandwich Cookies

Turtle Ritz Cookies are a caramel spin on the traditional peanut butter Ritz cookies which are one of our family favorites. Since we love them so much, I figured there had to be other things that would taste delicious stuffed between two Ritz crackers and decided to try caramel.

Traditional Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

First I wanted to share the recipe for our favorite peanut butter Ritz cookies. We make them throughout the year but they are a must during the holidays.

  • 20 Ritz crackers
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 squares chocolate almond bark

Spread about 1 teaspoon of creamy peanut butter on 10 Ritz crackers. Top with another cracker, sandwiching the peanut butter between the two.

Melt the chocolate almond bark in the microwave according to the instructions on the package. Dip the sandwich cookies in the melted chocolate and place on a silicone mat or parchment paper to set and harden.

Turtle Ritz Cookies Recipe Testing

I thought these Turtle Cookies were going to be a quick and easy recipe success. The first time I made them, I used dulce de leche from a can. They were easy to make, they tasted delicious and the pictures turned out great.

But the next morning when I saw the cookies, the chocolate coating had cracked on all of them! So, I tried again and again until I thought about moving on from this recipe idea, but decided I was going to find a way to make it work…no.matter.what

And I succeeded, so today I am finally sharing my recipe for Turtle Sandwich Cookies using Ritz crackers.

Step-by-Step Turtle Cookies Instructions

Caramel filling for turtle Ritz

To make about 1/4 cup of caramel sauce, use 12 caramels (I used Kraft Caramels) and 2 teaspoons of whipping cream. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir.

Microwave for an additional 15 seconds and stir. Continue heating and stirring at 15-second intervals until smooth. Watch carefully so that the caramel sauce doesn’t boil over or burn.

Before putting the caramel sauce on the crackers, you need to cool and thicken. So, allow the sauce to cool at room temperature for about 8-10 minutes, stirring often to keep it smooth.

Plop about 1 teaspoon of the caramel in the center of a Ritz cracker. This made enough for me to make 11 turtle sandwich cookies.

Carmel sandwich cookie recipe

Top it with another cracker and squish the caramel so that it spreads out. Place the caramel sandwiches in the fridge for an hour for the caramel to harden.

chocolate dipped cookies for turtle Ritz cookies

Melt chocolate almond bark or chocolate candy coating in the microwave and dip the sandwich cookies in the chocolate.

chopped pecans for turtle cookies

Place them on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

turtle cookies with Ritz crackers and caramel

You might get a little bit of beautiful, delicious, oozing caramel on some of the sandwiches!

caramel ritz sandwich cookies

Another option is to top each turtle cookie with a pecan half.

Caramel Filled Sandwich Cookies

If you like sweet and salty treats, go ahead and sprinkle a little sea salt on the caramel before adding the top cracker, or you could even sprinkle it on when adding the chopped pecans.

Want More Turtle Recipes? Try One Of These Next:

Easy Pretzel Turtles: With only THREE ingredients, Pretzel Turtles are so easy to make! They can be made as a quick treat or given as gifts during the holidays.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Turtle Bread Pudding: Slow Cooker Chocolate Turtle Bread Pudding is a warm, comforting dessert with chocolate, caramel, and pecans. It’s a crockpot recipe that everyone will love!

Easy Turtle Cheesecake: Easy turtle cheesecake recipe made from a ready-made cheesecake. Top it with chocolate, caramel, pecans, and whipped cream.

5 from 2 votes
Caramel Filled Sandwich Cookies
Print
Turtle Cookies - Caramel Filled Ritz
Prep Time
1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time
4 mins
Total Time
1 hr 19 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 11
Calories: 153 kcal
Author: The Gunny Sack
Ingredients
  • 12 caramels, I used Kraft
  • 2 tsp heavy whipping cream
  • 22 Ritz crackers
  • 4 squares chocolate almond bark
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • Optional: whole pecans, sea salt
Instructions

  1. Place caramels and whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir. Microwave for an additional 15 seconds and stir. Continue heating and stirring at 15-second intervals until smooth. Watch carefully so that the caramel sauce doesn’t boil over or burn.

  2. Allow the sauce to cool and thicken, at room temperature, for about 8-10 minutes, stirring often to keep it smooth.
  3. Plop about 1 teaspoon of the caramel in the center of 11 Ritz crackers.
  4. Top each with another cracker and squish the caramel so that it spreads out.
  5. Place the caramel sandwiches in the fridge for an hour for the caramel to harden.
  6. Melt chocolate almond bark in the microwave and dip the sandwich cookies in the chocolate.
  7. Place them on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
  8. Allow the chocolate to set and harden at room temperature.
  9. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.
  10. Optional: Use whole pecans instead of chopped pecans. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Turtle Cookies - Caramel Filled Ritz
Amount Per Serving
Calories 153 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 90mg4%
Potassium 44mg1%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 20IU0%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Comments

    • Tonia says

      Hi Nancy,
      I’ve never tried freezing them. I’m not sure how well the crackers and the chocolate coating would hold up.
      Best of luck,
      Tonia

      Reply

  3. Terri fisher says

    They look much fancier than dipped oreos………..trying these beauties 12/23..Betcha I’ll win the contest for ‘Choctober ’17, Best in Show! Thanks

    Reply

  6. Angela says

    5 stars
    This was awesome! Thank you!
    I ought to say that I used traders joes dulce de leche right out of the jar. I also melted some vahlrona chocolate and butter together for the coating. Then, I refrigerated them for about an hour. Just spectacular! I can’t thank you enough for this recipe!

    Reply

  8. Francis says

    Just made these beauties as part of my Christmas copy extravaganza. A double batch of caramel gave me 35 sandwiches. They are still cooling but look beautiful. Thanks and merry Christmas

    Reply

  10. Carole says

    O.M.G.! Could you have made anything more perfect? These sound like they are so addicting that once made, they will be gone in a flash! Pinning…

    Reply

  11. Jessy @ The Life Jolie says

    What an excellent combination of salty and sweet. Now I wish I had time to make these (I’ve definitely made too many sweets already this year- so much for losing that last 10 lbs of baby weight!(.

    Reply

  16. Cate @ Chez CateyLou says

    These look incredible! Your recipe testing really worked out well!! I hate recipe failures – I tried to make Florentines this weekend and I have no idea what happened, but they did NOT turn out. 🙁

    Reply

  18. Beth says

    I feel like we’re on the same wave length! I made something similar, crackers dipped in chocolate and stuffed with peanut butter cream cheese yesterday! I adore everything you make Tonia!

    Reply

  20. Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says

    I have been having the same problem with #alltheholidayfails! So annoying! But these cookies look worth it – yum! Pinned!

    Reply

  26. Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says

    I spotted these this morning and had to come over and visit. Oh my goodness. These cookies look divine. Pinning and sharing this wonderful recipe!

    Reply

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