Chocolate Turtle Pecan Cookies

Submitted by blucoat

"You won't miss the fat in these delicious cookies from "Healthy Homestyle Desserts: 150 Fabulous Treats with a Fraction of the Fat and Calories" by Evelyn Tribole, M.S., R.D. This is by no means diet food, just a lightened-up treat. Enjoy!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 24 cookies

ingredients

• Cookies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup light butter
• 2 ounces fat free cream cheese
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons nonfat milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg white, slightly beaten
• 3⁄4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

• Caramel Topping

• 5 caramels, unwrapped
• 5 teaspoons evaporated skim milk

directions

1. To make the cookies: In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, light butter, fat-free cream cheese, 1 egg white, nonfat milk, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and blend well. Chill dough at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two baking sheets with nonstick vegetable-oil spray. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into the remaining egg white and roll in pecans to coat. Place on prepared baking sheet and gently flatten.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then carefully remove to wire racks to cool completely.
5. To make the caramel topping: In a small saucepan, combine caramels and evaporated skim milk. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Drizzle caramel topping over cooled cookies.