These easy Turtle Cookies are Ritz crackers filled with soft creamy caramel, coated in chocolate and topped with chopped pecans!
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.
Tonia’s Notes
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
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.
Ritz Crackers
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 Coating
Melt chocolate almond bark or chocolate candy coating in the microwave and dip the sandwich cookies in the chocolate.
Chopped Pecans
Place them on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Recipe Tips
- Sweet & Salty: 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.
- Nuts: You can also use chopped walnuts or peanuts. Another option is to top each turtle cookie with a pecan half.
- Refrigerator: Store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Freezer: Store them in the freezer for 1-2 months.
You might get a little bit of beautiful, delicious, oozing caramel on some of the sandwiches!
More Turtle Recipes
Turtle Cookies – Caramel Filled Ritz
Video
Ingredients
- 12 Kraft caramels
- 2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream
- 22 Ritz crackers
- 8 ounces squares chocolate almond bark four squares
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- 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.
- Allow the sauce to cool and thicken, 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 11 Ritz crackers.
- Top each 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.
- Melt chocolate almond bark in the microwave and dip the sandwich cookies in the chocolate.
- Place them on a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Allow the chocolate to set and harden at room temperature.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge.
Nancy Hart says
Can I make theses ahead and freeze them for the holidays.
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
ColleenB.~Tx. says
Nancy, the answer to your question is No. They are better off making and eating them fresh.
You never want to put chocolate in the freezer or refrigerator; as the chocolate looses it’s taste and color.
The chocolate just doesn’t taste the same if frozen or refrigerated.
Laura Vincent says
Can I substitute chocolate chips for bark?
Tonia says
Yes, but you might have to use some shortening to thin the chocolate.
Cindy says
I had the same question!! I think these would taste much better with real chocolate! Has anyone made these with chocolate chips?
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
virginia Sierra says
I made these the turtle cookies for my annual cookie exchange, they where the best.
Tonia says
Fantastic! I’m happy to hear they were a success!
Suzanne says
How long do these last in the fridge? A week?
Angela says
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!