Turtle Cookies

Makes about 30 cookies
Source:  Adapted from America's Test Kitchen

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa powder (I used dark cocoa powder)

1/4 tsp. salt

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter, softened

2/3 c. sugar

1 large egg, separated, plus 1 additional egg white (throw out 1 yolk)

2 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. pecans, finely chopped

Caramel Filling:

14 soft caramel candies (I used Kraft)

3 Tbsp. heavy cream

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):

2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (I used hot fudge)

1 tsp. shortening

Cookie:  Combine flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 1 egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap or set in fridge in the  bowl and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

Whisk egg whites in a bowl until frothy.  Place chopped pecans in another bowl.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls, dip in egg whites, and then roll in pecans.  Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, make an indentation in the center of each dough ball. Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

Caramel Filling:  Microwave caramels and cream together in a small bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.  Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently re-press the indentations.  Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the caramel mixture. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. If you don't have the patience to use homemade caramel, you can use a ROLO candy in the center of each.

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):  Place chocolate and shortening in a small zip-top plastic bag.  Set bag in a bowl of warm water to soften.  Gently knead the chocolate with your fingers until melted and smooth, placing back in the warm water for a minute or two as needed.  Snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag.  Drizzle chocolate over the cooled Turtle Cookies. Or you can just use hot fudge.