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.
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!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says
A chocolate lovers dream! Love it!
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
Susan says
has anyone doubled or tripled this recipe? any problems doing that?
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…
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!(.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I bet the sweet salty combo is amazing!!
Ginny McMeans says
What a great idea! These look so good and a real crowd pleaser!
Kathy says
These look SO good. I must make them, and soon!
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. 🙁
Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says
GENIUS idea! Love anything between a Ritz cracker… especially caramel!
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!
Tonia Cumings says
what is the recipe for the peanut butter cream cheese
Annie @Maebells says
These are darling! They would make perfect gifts!
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!
Matt Robinson says
These look incredible, love that caramel center. WOW!
Aida@TheCraftingFoodie says
Tonia, these look amazing! I love the sweet, salty, caramel, chocolate combo! pinned!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
I’ve had tons of recipe fails lately too!! These look amazing!!
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!
Mary@Bake Me A Scone says
I doubt these would last at any holiday table for more than a few minutes. They scream delicious!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
OH-MY-GOODNESS those look amazing. Pinning, sharing and drooling!