Turtle Cookies!

I had some of these at a party yesterday and can honestly say that this recipe rocks!

Turtle Cookies

Cookies:

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, softened (not melted)

1 egg, separated

1 egg, white only

2 tbsp milk

1 1/4 cups pecans, chopped

1 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Combine flour, salt and cocoa in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the sugar and butter for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add the milk, egg yolk and vanilla and run until well-mixed. Then, turn the speed down to low and add the flour mixture. Run until just combined, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Chop the pecans and put them into a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites until frothy. Remove the dough and roll into 1" balls. Dip the rolls into the egg whites and roll in the pecans. Place the balls on a cookie sheet and press lightly with a 1/2-tsp measuring spoon or similar. Bake for 12 minutes.

Melt 14 soft caramel candies and three tablespoons heavy cream in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, stirring often. Once you take the cookies out of the oven, press in a small indentation into the middle of the cookie and spoon in about 1/2 teaspoon. Let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes.

If you want to make a chocolate drizzle, put 1 teaspoon shortening and 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate in a Ziplock bag. Put the bag in warm water to soften. Gently knead the bag until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Snip a small hole in the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the cookies. Extra chocolate or not, these cookies are awesome!