Turtle cookies

Confession time... This is a cheating recipe. You start with a box, you add a couple ingredients and you bake. Its so easy I'm pretty sure the dogs or at least Matt could do this one without any problem. I just tried them out at our departmental picnic and they were the first dessert to go, so that should give you an indication of how yummy they are! Even better, they are prettier than a new heifer on a spring morning and taste amazing. So I'd say this whole thing was a big win, even if I cheated by using a box. But I tell you when it comes to cooking, sometimes you really just need to cheat! Why not make it faster? And for some people who either don't have the time or the patience  to always go from scratch (this girl!), its the perfect solution.

Come on, how can this not make your mouth water???

Ingredients:
1 box Ghiridelli Caramel Turtle Brownies
1/2 stick of butter (softened)
1 egg
Pecans

- Preheat oven 350F
- Soften butter by leaving it out for ~20 minutes or blast it in the microwave for 10 seconds, turn it over and repeat until its soft (30 seconds max)
- Add butter and egg to the brownie mix and blend using a hand mixer

It will probably look a bit crumbly like this, but sticks together when pressed

Drop rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper on it and then make a depression in the middle with your thumb

Cut a small corner off the caramel packet that comes with the brownies and squirt some into the thumb depression

Place a pecan in the middle of the caramel and bake for 11-13 minutes

Remove from the oven and let cool before you move them

Hellooooo decadence! This was so yummy and seriously easy. The only hang up is that it only made 15 cookies per box of mix. That doesn't go very far when you're trying to feed a whole lot of people so save it for smaller occasions or when you or your family deserve a special treat. If you can't find the turtle brownie mix, I'm sure you could use a regular box of Ghridelli brownie mix, some caramel ice cream topping (or homemade!) and the pecans.
Happy eating!