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Healthy Chocolate Turtles

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 07, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 2

Aren’t we all looking for a healthy way to incorporate chocolate into our daily lives? These Chocolate Turtles 🐢 are such a great opportunity to do that! With a balance of healthy fats and protein from the nut butter and pecans and of course the sweetness from the chocolate, you can have that balance: a healthy snack with chocolate!

  • Why You’ll Love Healthy Chocolate Turtles
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🐢
  • Variations and Substitutions for Healthy Chocolate Turtles
  • Other Healthy Treats
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Homemade Chocolate Turtles Recipe

Why You’ll Love Healthy Chocolate Turtles

I know you’re going to fall in love with these 🍫 chocolate turtles not only because they’re healthy, but also because they’re so easy to make. With only four ingredients , some of which you probably already have on hand, you’ll be able to whip these up in no time. These are such a fun treat to make with kids too – so definitely have them help!

What else is there to love about these? The texture of this cute snack is phenomenal; the crunch of the pecans alongside the hard chocolate shell and smooth nut butter is incomparable. Not to mention, if you add the salt on top, you’re living you best sweet and salty life.

How to Prepare

🔪 Get one date, take out the pit, open it up, and lay it flat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

🥜 Add a teaspoon of any nut or seed butter on the flat date and place one pecan on each corner of the date.

🌰 Add another teaspoon of nut/seed butter on top then repeat this process for each date.

❄️ Freeze for about 15-20 minutes or until the dates and nut butter have solidified.

🍫 Right before you take them out of the freezer, melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. I like to cut mine into chunks and melt it over a double boiler.

🐢 Take the dates out of the freezer and dip each one in melted chocolate, placing them back onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

🧊 Freeze again for 5-10 minutes, then take out and sprinkle sea salt on top.

🌟 NOTE: Before you sprinkle them with sea salt you can add a drizzle of chocolate on top for presentation to make the chocolate design that you see in my post and freeze for a third time just for 5 minutes.

❄️ These treats can remain refrigerated for weeks! Enjoy.

Nonna’s Tip 🐢

Before you sprinkle the dates with sea salt, you can add a drizzle of chocolate on top for the presentation to make the chocolate design that you see in my post, and freeze for a third time just for 5 minutes. Add sea salt and enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Turtles - 3

Variations and Substitutions for Healthy Chocolate Turtles

  1. You can certainly use any type of 🍫 chocolate you prefer , such as milk, dark, white, or a combination.
  2. Instead of pecans, feel free to use walnuts.
  3. If you want a sweeter turtle, try using caramel in place of nut butter.
  4. Seed butter ☀️ could be used in place of nut butter if you need to accommodate for allergies.
  5. For an even more decadent turtle 🐢, try these with Nutella inside.

Other Healthy Treats

If you love this recipe, you’ll love my other healthy treats such as my Chocolate Covered Dates .

A plate of Chocolate Covered Dates, some cut open to reveal a creamy peanut butter filling, sprinkled with bits of sea salt and crunchy nuts. - 4 A plate of Chocolate Covered Dates, some cut open to reveal a creamy peanut butter filling, sprinkled with bits of sea salt and crunchy nuts. - 5

Chocolate Covered Dates

40 mins

A close-up of Cottage Cheese Bark dessert bars with a creamy white topping swirled with caramel and sprinkled with granola, sitting on parchment paper. A knife is partially placed under one of the bars. - 6 A close-up of Cottage Cheese Bark dessert bars with a creamy white topping swirled with caramel and sprinkled with granola, sitting on parchment paper. A knife is partially placed under one of the bars. - 7

Cottage Cheese Bark

1 hr 35 mins

Close-up of round Peanut Butter Cups with a smooth top, sprinkled with chopped nuts, arranged on a wooden surface. - 8 Close-up of round Peanut Butter Cups with a smooth top, sprinkled with chopped nuts, arranged on a wooden surface. - 9

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

20 mins

A plate with several chocolate Energy Balls topped with chopped nuts, one bite revealing a dense, fudgy interior. Pieces of chocolate are scattered around the bites on white parchment paper. - 10 A plate with several chocolate Energy Balls topped with chopped nuts, one bite revealing a dense, fudgy interior. Pieces of chocolate are scattered around the bites on white parchment paper. - 11

Energy Balls

10 mins

Best Served With

  • These are fine on their own (or could be served with coffee, teach, or cold milk for kids).
  • Feel free to serve with coffee and some similar snacks like pretzels, and 🧀 cheeses or you could add it to charcuterie.

Common Questions

If you have a nut allergy, you can certainly use seed butter to accommodate.

Absolutely, if you don’t like dates you can arrange 4 or 5 pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and form a circle. Now, I would pour the melted caramel right in the middle to bind them together then freeze. Once frozen you can dip into more melted chocolate and enjoy!

You can definitely use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate.

The turtles should be stored in the fridge and will last for a few weeks!

You can also use store-bought caramel, or even melt caramel candies and use that instead.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ 24 pecans , 4 on each one
  • ▢ 6 dates , pitted
  • ▢ 12 teaspoons peanut butter , any nut or seed butter works
  • ▢ 100 grams dark chocolate , dark or any you like
  • ▢ pinch sea salt , for the top is optional

Instructions

  • ▢ Take one date, take out the pit, open it up and lay it flat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper,
  • ▢ Add a teaspoon of any nut or seed butter and place one pecan on each corner.
  • ▢ Add another teaspoon of nut/seed butter on top and repeat for each one.
  • ▢ Freeze for about 15-20 minutes or until the dates and nut butter have solidified.
  • ▢ Right before you take them out of the freezer, melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. I like to cut mine into chunks and melt it over a double boiler.
  • ▢ Take the dates out and dip each one in melted chocolate placing them back onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze again for 5-10 minutes, take out and sprinkle sea salt on top.
  • ▢ NOTE: Before you sprinkle them with sea salt you can add a drizzle of chocolate on top for presentation to make the chocolate design that you see in my post and freeze for a third time just for 5 minutes.
  • ▢ These treats can remain refrigerated for weeks! Enjoy.

Nonna’s Notes

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Homemade Chocolate Turtles

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • 24 pecans 4 on each one
  • 6 dates pitted
  • 12 teaspoons peanut butter any nut or seed butter works
  • 100 grams dark chocolate dark or any you like
  • pinch sea salt for the top is optional

Instructions

  • Take one date, take out the pit, open it up and lay it flat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper,
  • Add a teaspoon of any nut or seed butter and place one pecan on each corner.
  • Add another teaspoon of nut/seed butter on top and repeat for each one.
  • Freeze for about 15-20 minutes or until the dates and nut butter have solidified.
  • Right before you take them out of the freezer, melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. I like to cut mine into chunks and melt it over a double boiler.
  • Take the dates out and dip each one in melted chocolate placing them back onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze again for 5-10 minutes, take out and sprinkle sea salt on top.
  • NOTE: Before you sprinkle them with sea salt you can add a drizzle of chocolate on top for presentation to make the chocolate design that you see in my post and freeze for a third time just for 5 minutes.
  • These treats can remain refrigerated for weeks! Enjoy.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Homemade Chocolate Turtles https://themodernnonna.com/healthy-chocolate-turtles/ December 7, 2023

Home › Recipes › Cookies & Snacks

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Snejana Andreeva - 12

By Snejana Andreeva

on Dec 15, 2022, Updated Nov 08, 2023

Add as a preferred source on Google - 13

My lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies melt in your mouth . This recipe is one of those recipes that you’ll need to triple, because it’s THAT good. 🍋Whether you’re a lemon lover or simply looking for a unique and delicious cookie, these Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon tea to a fancy dessert spread.

  • Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍋
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions
  • Other Holiday Recipes
  • More Holiday Cookies
  • Common Questions
  • Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You’ll Love Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

These lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies are ideal for anyone who cannot tolerate 🥚 eggs as they are completely egg-free . The dough takes 5 minutes to whip up, so these cookies are easy enough for anyone who is not even a baker. They’re only 5 ingredients , which you probably already have on hand. I can honestly say that this is one of those cookie recipes that you cannot get enough of.

How to Prepare

🥣 Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer and bowl to cream butter and cream cheese for about 2 minutes until smooth.

🍋 Add sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth . Then add flour, and mix until a sticky dough forms. Scrape down the sides to fully incorporate any remaining flour.

🧊 Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.

🥄 Remove dough from the refrigerator, use a small ice-cream scooper to portion the cookies, rolling each in a touch of flour to prevent sticking.

🍓 Place rolled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper . Flatten each with your thumb, creating an indent, and add a teaspoon of preferred jam/preserve to the center.

🔥 Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the lemon cheesecake thumbprint cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are light and golden brown .

❄️ Allow the cookies to cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.

Nonna’s Tip 🍋

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies - 14

Lemon Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Variations and Substitutions

  • Try adding a decorative topping like chopped nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sugar for holiday decoration.
  • I have not tried this recipe with gluten-free flour , but feel free to experiment with a gluten-free 1-1 replacement and let me know how it goes!
  • Instead of lemon extract , you could try almond, vanilla, orange or another you have on hand.
  • Feel free to experiment with different jams or preserves , for example, you could use strawberry, raspberry, apricot or even marmalade.
  • You could try dairy-free or vegan alternatives to the butter and cream cheese if you or your guests have allergies.

Other Holiday Recipes

A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 15 A round platter forms an Antipasti Christmas Wreath, with skewers of mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives, prosciutto, and rosemary arranged in a circle; raspberries fill the center and two gold forks rest on the side. - 16

Antipasti Christmas Wreath

10 mins

A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 17 A close-up of a wooden serving board styled as a Holiday Butter Board, topped with whipped cheese, assorted fruit jams, chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and a decorative cheese knife. - 18

Holiday Butter Board

20 mins

Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 19 Two tall champagne flutes filled with an orange-pink Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco, each rimmed with crushed red, green, and white candy, stand on a white countertop with scattered candy. Cozy kitchen background. - 20

Holiday Candy Cane Prosecco

5 mins

A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 21 A Holiday Cheese Board featuring various cheeses, salami roses, fresh figs, grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, crackers, grapefruit slices, rosemary sprigs, and bowls of jam is artfully arranged on a white surface with a linen cloth. - 22

Holiday Cheese Board

20 mins

More Holiday Cookies

Looking for an even fancier-looking cookie? Try my puff pastry cookies .

A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 23 A plate of Easy Gingerbread Cookies shaped like people, adorned with white icing details, red and green candy buttons, cinnamon sticks, and colorful candies, set on a white surface with a red ribbon and white cloth. - 24

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

3 hrs 23 mins

A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 25 A stack of three powdered almond cookies on a wooden surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft interior. Whole almonds are scattered around, with more cookies blurred in the background. - 26

Italian Amaretti Cookies

25 mins

Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 27 Close-up of 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies cooling on a black wire rack. The cookies are round, golden, and have a slightly rough texture from sugar crystals. A pinkish surface is visible in the background. - 28

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

20 mins

A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 29 A plate of Shortbread Butter Cookies topped with red, white, and green sprinkles, surrounded by small holiday gift boxes and pinecones on a white surface. - 30

Shortbread Butter Cookies

27 mins

Common Questions

Feel free to use any jam or preserve you enjoy. I love fig or apricot but you are more than welcome to use any you have on hand.

The lemon extract is optional so don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand. You can also use pure vanilla extract, or almond extract, or leave them plain. Or, if you don’t have pure lemon extract, but still want the flavor, you can also use the zest of a lemon in the recipe.

You MUST refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour and you have to use a touch of flour to roll each one as they will stick.

Feel free to freeze the cookie dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and shape as usual.

The cream cheese and butter must be softened in order for the cookies to bake correctly.

You can use salted or unsalted butter. I have made them with both and both results are delicious.

While 1 cup of flour weighs 160g in my kitchen, it might weigh anywhere from 120 to 180g in your kitchen and there’s a few reasons for that. The weight of ingredients may vary due to the brand of ingredients, the brand and style (wet vs dry) of measuring cups and spoons, and the technique for measuring into cups: scooping and leveling versus spooning the ingredients into the cup measure. For best results, go by the weight listed in the recipe.

A New Recipe Card!!

  1. Check off each step in instructions!
  2. Add ingredients to your shopping list!

Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ Baking Sheet
  • ▢ Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • ▢ ½ cup cream cheese , softened
  • ▢ ½ cup white sugar
  • ▢ 1 stick softened salted butter
  • ▢ 1.5 teaspoons lemon extract , optional if you don’t have any on hand
  • ▢ 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour , + 2 extra tablespoons for rolling the balls
  • ▢ 18 teaspoons jam , I used fig preserve

Instructions

  • ▢ In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes or until smooth. You can also use a hand-held mixer and a bowl as well.
  • ▢ Once creamy, add the sugar and lemon extract and mix until smooth. Add in the flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. If there’s any flour on the sides, you can scrape it down and mix again until fully incorporated.
  • ▢ Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour. After an hour, take out the dough, remove the plastic and use a small ice-cream scooper to scoop out the cookies. I scoop each cookie, roll it in a touch of flour as it will stick to your hands if you don’t.
  • ▢ Repeat this step for all 18 cookies. Place each rolled cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press each one down with your thumb to make an indent. Add a teaspoon of any jam/preserve you like to the middle.
  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 350F and bake until the edges are light and golden brown. This should take 13-15 minutes depending on the oven.
  • ▢ Let them cool completely and optionally dust with icing sugar. These are perfectly stored at room-temp for up to a week.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.