Name: Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 48 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 22 ounces caramels (two 11 oz. packages), unwrapped; 5 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 cup dark chocolate chips; ⅔ cup chopped pecans

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 12 reviews

If you love the rich combination of chocolate, nuts, and caramel, then you are absolutely going to adore the Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe. These mini cookie cups are irresistibly bite-sized and pack a delightful punch of flavors with their fudgy chocolate crusts, gooey caramel centers, and crunchy pecan toppings. Perfect for sharing at family gatherings or making your holiday celebrations sparkle, this recipe turns simple, comforting ingredients into a show-stopping treat that everyone will rave over.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four containers on a white marbled surface. The largest container is a metal bowl filled with dark brown chocolate dough, thick and rough in texture, sitting at the top center. Below it on the left is a metal saucepan holding light brown caramel squares soaking in cream, with a smooth glossy look. To the right of the saucepan, there is a small clear glass bowl filled with dark chocolate chips that have a smooth and shiny finish. Next to it on the far right is another small clear glass bowl with mixed chopped nuts in various shades of brown, showing rough and uneven textures. A white cloth with blue stripes is partially visible at the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of the Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe lies in the quality and simplicity of its ingredients. Each item plays an essential role, contributing texture, flavor, or that perfect balance of sweetness to make these little gems unforgettable.

Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the dough that keeps it tender and buttery.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crisp edge on the cookie cups.
Light brown sugar: Infuses moisture and a subtle caramel note for depth in flavor.
Large eggs: Bind the dough together and give it structure.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with warm, aromatic hints.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of your dough, giving structure and heft.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings that rich chocolate taste without any added sweetness.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly to create perfect little cups.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
Caramels (unwrapped): Melt into luscious, sticky centers that marry beautifully with chocolate and nuts.
Heavy cream: Keeps the caramel smooth and creamy.
Dark chocolate chips: Add melty richness and contrast in texture.
Chopped pecans: Provide crunch and nutty flavor for the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Caramels

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. To ensure clean edges, wipe the sides of the cups lightly with a paper towel. Unwrap all of the caramels and set them aside in a bowl, ready to melt later. This prep work sets the stage for perfectly shaped, mess-free cookie cups with an indulgent caramel heart.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and both sugars for about 3 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This is your chance to incorporate air into the dough, making these little tassies wonderfully tender. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until evenly combined, so every bite has a smooth vanilla undertone.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Dry Ingredients

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add these dry ingredients into the butter mixture in two batches, mixing just until combined. This careful blending keeps the dough soft yet sturdy enough to hold the caramel filling.

Step 4: Shape and Par-Bake the Cookie Cups

Roll roughly 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough into balls and place each into the mini muffin tin cups. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Once out of the oven, use the rounded end of a wooden spoon to gently press down the centers and sides of the cookie cups to form an opening, careful not to create holes. If the dough feels too wet or underdone, pop it back in the oven for a few extra minutes. This technique ensures the perfect little pockets for your filling.

Step 5: Final Bake for Set Shape

After making holes in all cups, return the pan to the oven and bake for another 2-5 minutes. This step helps the cups finish baking without collapsing while keeping their bottoms moist enough to hold the luscious fillings.

Step 6: Prepare the Filling

While the cookies bake, gently melt the caramel pieces and heavy cream over medium heat in a saucepan, stirring frequently to achieve a smooth, velvety caramel sauce. Lower the heat to keep it warm and pourable, which makes filling the tassies an easy, mess-free process.

Step 7: Assemble the Turtle Tassies

As soon as the cookie cups are out of the oven, place 4 dark chocolate chips into each one. Spoon two to three teaspoons of the warm caramel over the chocolate chips—careful not to overfill. Top each with a small sprinkle (about ¼ teaspoon) of chopped pecans. Let the tassies cool in the pan a little before gently removing them and setting on a wire rack. Watching these little beauties come together is as delightful as eating them!

How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe

The image shows four round chocolate brownies, each with a thick layer of smooth caramel sauce in the center, topped with uneven pieces of toasted pecans. The brownies have a textured surface with some cracks and a slightly raised rim holding the caramel. The brownies sit on a plain white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The colors include dark brown for the brownies, golden amber for the caramel, and a mix of light to medium brown for the pecans. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate presentation, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt right before serving to contrast the sweetness beautifully. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add an elegant finish, making these even more irresistible at the dessert table.

Side Dishes

These buttery, rich tassies pair perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. For a festive touch, a hot cup of coffee, spiced tea, or creamy hot chocolate makes the perfect companion, especially on chilly evenings.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these in decorative mini cupcake liners for an appealing look that also makes grabbing and sharing so easy. Arrange them on a tiered dessert stand or platter surrounded by fresh berries or edible flowers for a stunning display that will wow guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tassies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the cookie cups tender and maintains the softness of the caramel center without risking them drying out.

Freezing

You can freeze these delicious treats for up to two months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to preserve flavor and texture beautifully.

Reheating

For a freshly baked taste after storage or freezing, warm the tassies in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This will refresh their soft texture and slightly melt the chocolate and caramel, like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can substitute salted butter, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting the cookies.

What type of caramel is best to use?

Soft caramel candies work best because they melt smoothly with the heavy cream into a rich filling. Avoid hard caramel pieces as they don’t melt well.

Are these tassies gluten-free?

This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with gluten-free flour blends that work for baking, but texture may vary.

How long do these tassies stay fresh?

When stored properly, the tassies stay fresh and delicious for up to three days at room temperature. Beyond that, freshness diminishes but they remain tasty if reheated.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping into balls.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtle Tassies Recipe combines such wonderfully nostalgic flavors in a fun, bite-sized form. I promise once you try making these at home, they’ll quickly become one of your favorite treats to share (or sneak quietly for yourself!). So grab your ingredients and start baking these irresistible morsels — your taste buds will thank you endlessly!