30-Second Chocolate Turtle Cookie Sundaes
30-second cookies full of chocolate flavor and baked in a waffle iron instead of an oven- these delicious sundaes will rock your world!
First, a story: There once was a girl who liked nothing better than to cross things off her to-do list and eat lots of chocolate whilst doing so.
She was programmed for a life such as this and she was happy. However, she had one (ok, more than one but we’ll stick with the first for now) tragic flaw.
When the weather turned hot and humid every year, she wilted. Into a giant puddle of lazy nothingness. She couldn’t cook. She couldn’t clean. She couldn’t work. She could barely get enough energy garnered to reach her hand into the chocolate bucket (which really exists) and grab a melted, mushy foil-wrapped chocolate to devour.
This girl is me. And if you don’t believe this story, come knock on my door. Ok, don’t. I’d be embarrassed. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.
The current wave of heat and humidity has knocked me flat.
I’ve been this way all my life – super productive in ideal weather but not so much when I have sweat dripping down my forehead and back. Clearly a 1st world problem. But still.
And this is at the exact opposite time when I should be flagging (remodeling a house, moving about 2,000 pounds of household goods out of storage, five children to care for, keeping current house clean enough to be show-worthy, cooking blog to maintain, 80 pounds of apricots to can, etc, etc, etc).
But I am down for the count. And you know what? I’m not mourning the loss of clean toilets. Oh heavens no! I’m crying because my kitchen is too hot (no A/C here) to bake cookies. And I love cookies, especially chocolate ones.
Which is why I have fallen in love with these 30-second turtle cookies and there’s no going back.
I mean, seriously, 30-second cookies? Full of fabulous chocolate cookie flavor? Baked in a waffle iron? Smothered in ice cream and hot fudge sauce and caramel sauce?
There was absolutely no hope for my lazy bones until these cookies-that-don’t-require-oven-usage came into my life.
I firmly believe, these cookies and these cookies alone, will get me through the hot summer, no A/C months ahead. In fact, I ate two of these babies and immediately went and dusted the piano. Amazing.
Looks like about six more down the gullet and I’ll be good to go on those toilets.
I’m pretty sure these cookies can cure whatever is ailing you, too.
One Year Ago: Brownie {& Fruit} Kebabs
Two Years Ago: Grilled Steak and Veggie Kebabs
Three Years Ago: Mediterranean Pasta Salad
30-Second Chocolate Turtle Cookie Sundaes
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (159 g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 cup (142 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat a waffle iron (Belgian or regular). In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir in cocoa, flour and salt until just combined. One at a time, drop a large spoonful of batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook for 30-60 seconds, just until the cookie is baked through and can be removed carefully by gently lifting one edge. Don’t overbake or the cookies will be dry!
- Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or serve at room temperature with whipped cream and berries – really, the possibilities are endless.
- Store leftover cookies in a ziploc bag so they stay soft.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted slightly from a recipe sent to me by a longtime reader and commenter, Kira W. (thanks, friend!)
Mel! I love you! You make me laugh! You are my super hero!
Hi Mel! Just wanted to send a quick message to say thank you! Our family has been without an oven for over a week now (waiting for the part to arrive) and these chocolate waffles have saved us! We miss your homemade bread, cookies and muffins the most! Thanks for sharing the best recipes!
I want to like microwave mug cakes for a quick chocolaty option, but something about them just throws me off. These, on the other hand, are the perfect emergency chocolate fix! We had ours with strawberries and whipped cream.
Oooh, I have a waffle iron that makes mini Mickey Mouse shaped waffles, I bet this recipe would be amazing for it. 🙂 Thank you for the idea!! I somehow came across your page on Facebook or Pintrest when someone posted a link to your 60-second chocolate chip cookie, which I am currently eating. 🙂
Hi Mel! We made these tonight and they were great! Just wondering if the batter is supposed to be so thick that you have to use another spoon to get the batter off the first spoon? Thanks!
Hi Marcie – I don’t think my batter is quite that thick although it is on the thicker end of waffle batters. You might try adding just a bit more liquid to thin it out more.
Is the cocoa you use unsweetened cocoa powder?
Yes
can I get a woot woot! I love that you post old recipes on face book! I saw it in my news feed and really can’t thank you enough! I talk about you so much my family says they think I have an imaginary friend. I say, no I just have a virtual imaginary friend 🙂
Julie – Thanks, Julie! You are so sweet.
These look incredible!! Thanks for sharing! Speaking of no a/c I just saw this post last night and have to share! We have an a/c upstairs, but I think this little fellow will be making an appearance on my main floor… http://b1039.com/2014/06/02/how-to-make-a-454-homemade-air-conditioner-for-about-15-this-is-totally-awesome-and-so-easy-to-make/
I’ve made these and they were so easy and such a huge hit! Sometimes we eat them plain like brownie bites. Here’s the problem….when I go to look for the recipe it takes me forever to find them as I can’t remember their name or category! Yea I know I could use ziplist more but I like flipping through your website. Could you please name them something like….Brownie Waffle Things or Chocolate Ice Cream Dishes ….you get my idea. I started to get frantic tonight as I couldn’t find it and my waffle iron is still warm. Thanks Mel! Love your recipes!!!
Debbie – I am glad you like the recipe! I’m not planning to change the name right now but they will continue to be in the cookie section of my Recipe Index. You could always print it out to have on hand for warm waffle iron moments.
I was so excited to make these, but I went to melt my butter and realized I only had 2T left in my fridge! (I hate it when that happens). But I wanted to make these so much that I quartered the recipe and ended up with two beautiful chocolate cookies which I promptly ate topped with chocolate peanut butter ice cream. It was heaven. Chocolatey, soft, a little crispy on the edges, a teeny bit salty, just perfect. I was surprised how truly “cookie-like” the texture was. Next time I will make sure I can whip up an entire batch so my 3 yr. old can get more than a couple bites grudgingly shared by mom 🙂
YUM! Super easy & really yummy. Thought my batter was too thick ( I was thinking it should be more like waffle batter) but they came out perfect so guess it was fine!
These were my families go to FHE treat (without ice cream.) We called them Turtles. I haven’t made them in forever because our waffle iron broke years ago, but we bought my husband a belgian waffle iron for Christmas, maybe we shoudl try them out again!
My (5) kids made these together today for their “in the kitchen” Friday treat. These cookies turned out so yummy & chocolately. The best part was not breaking my “no oven” rule!
I love that you posted this recipe! I’ve been making these since my childhood and my husband thinks they are the tastiest novel of a cookie ever. He likes them frosted, but add ice cream and caramel on top? I just might have to give that a try!
I’ve made these twice this week and all of my (5!) kids raved about them. Fantastic hit! Thank you for the recipe- or not- I think I can blame you for the 5 pounds I’ve gained this month. 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful idea! These were perfect for a Sunday night treat when we were exhausted and in need of a sweet treat for ourselves and our guests. Yum!
Hi! We are enjoying the flavor of these! I am having a hard time removing them in one piece from the waffle iron. This is my first waffle iron cookie. Is there a trick that I haven’t mastered yet? Thanks.
Rachel – do you think you might be overbaking them a bit? The ones I cooked too long didn’t want to come out in one piece but if I underbaked them slightly – really adhered to the 30-second rule – they seemed to not break apart. You might try leveraging them out with a spatula type tool instead of a fork.
Oh yay! My husband’s mom used to make these cookies on Sunday afternoons when we were first married. I had forgotten about them, but I’m so excited to try them again. I’ve been needing to purchase a new waffle iron anyway, and this just gave me added motivation! Thanks so much!
I haven’t used my waffle iron in months, but I will drag it out for these cookies! The no bake oatmeal chocolate cookies Linda posted is a favorite of ours. We call it quickie candy. It’s more of a candy, and you can even use nutella in the recipe.
These look so fun!! I know exactly what you’re talking about! Summer weather hits and I turn into a big fat zero! It’s kinda pathetic. 🙂 I can’t even imagine not having A/C!!! My car said it was 119 degrees today! We literally could not survive without AC here in Arizona! I’m just grateful the humidity hasn’t hit yet, I literally would melt! Hang in there! Thankfully summers where you are don’t last too terribly long.
While reading your story, I was sure it was about me. I have been such a slug this week, despite a huge list of projects to tackle. And I’ve practically eaten an entire bag of dark chocolate chips all by myself! At least I’m not pregnant this summer–it could be worse! Thanks for this recipe–I’ll have one of my kids make them for me while I like down with an ice pack. 🙂
We made these tonight. They were great! Thanks.
I have been wanting to try these after seeing them around. 30 seconds? Seriously, what is holding me back?!
My 9 year old would have a blast making these! I love recipes that are kid friendly and will give an easy WOW! Thanks, this is delish!
You’re so funny! That is why I just love reading your blog, in addition to all the great recipes. It’s 104 today in my part of Utah. Way to hot to do anything for sure!
These look delish.
Mmm…my family has been making these for years! At 28 yrs old, my brother still request these over birthday cake every year. We also love them with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, or dusted with powdered sugar.
I feel your languishing and I will trade your temps for what we have, which is 92 but feels like 108 with humidity. I am grilling every dinner or having a salad and never thinking of dessert, until now. Thanks for this post.
humid. sick baby. didn’t know missionaries were coming to dinner. at hospital last night till 1 am. 4 kids. just moved 3 weeks ago. this post was from heaven. ps. i have ghiradelli boxed brownies in the oven. heaven in a pan.
Hi Mel!
I can SO relate about the heat and humidity! And to help you get through the heat of summer, I have a quick and easy NO OVEN cookie to share with you! They are chocolatey, peanut buttery and oatmeal goodies! What more can a humidity-wilted gal ask for?
No-Bake Cookies:
Bring to a boil, then lower heat to maintain a soft boil. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then set aside:
2 c sugar
½ c butter
½ c milk
Mix together:
2/3 c peanut butter
5 T cocoa
3 c oatmeal
¼ t salt
1 t vanilla
Stir to combine both mixtures. Working quickly, drop by tablespoon on wax paper. Chill to finish setting. ENJOY!
Are you using quick oats or regular?
Amy Y – There are not oats in this recipe. Were you referring to a different recipe?
I can totally relate to losing all motivation when the humidity and heat rise (even just the mugginess – it’s only 70 but oh-so muggy in MA today!). Everything feels sticky and heaven forbid the kids touch me. Even grilling sounds nasty. We keep all the windows/blinds closed, and it feels like we’re in hibernation. I’m always amazed that when the weather gets nice how quickly I’m ready to get back to business.
Such a brilliant idea for those days where it’s too hot to turn on the oven (AKA every day here lately!) 😉
Sometimes life just calls for a quick, indulgent treat like this! These are amazing, Mel! I totally feel you about non-productiveness in hot weather too. I used to work out more often, but lately, I cannot FATHOM sweating more than necessary when it’s regularly 95+ degrees in Texas!
We used to eat these at a friends house when we were little except they were topped with chocolate frosting. Soooo good. 🙂
So glad these are helping to beat the heat! You have provided us with healthy, delicious, and beautiful meals for years….I owe you big time!
These are brilliant! Except I don’t have a waffle iron. Think they can be cooked in an electric skillet? I’m desperate for a no-oven cookie. . .
Hi Christina – I suppose you could try – more like a pancake but I haven’t tried it so I can’t be absolutely sure.
Yum!
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Awesome Blog Content Award! I’ve been dying to try a lot of your recipes and I love reading your posts!
You can check out the award at my blog: lessaveursdemimi.wordpress.com
Hugs and puppies!
Mimi
Genius! I’d been working on something similar, and I’m glad you did it first! Waffle cookies are so good this time of year!
PS You’re like super woman with all those chores on your to-do list. I hope you have time to relax.
The heat & humidity wipes me out too. We have ac in the bedrooms & family room but the kitchen is UNBEARABLE in the summer. I’ve learned to plan ahead for the hot weather by freezing main dishes & baked goods.Right now I have over 2 weeks worth of dinners & many cookies, brownies,bars & cupcakes socked away. As the summer goes on I get anxious that I haven’t baked for a while. When there’s a cool day I’ll cook up a storm. .I never thought to use a waffle iron for cookies, what a great idea.
Oh. My. Gosh. You’ve saved the day again!