Salted Caramel Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup

all-purpose flour

1/3 cup

cocoa powder

1/4 tsp

salt

1/2 cup

unsalted butter (, softened)

1/3 cup

granulated sugar

1/3 cup

packed light-brown sugar

large egg (, yolk and white separated)

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

2 tbsp

buttermilk

1 1/4 cups

finely chopped pecans

caramels ((such as Kraft))

2 1/2 tbsp

heavy cream

Flaky or coarse sea salt

3 oz

chopped milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips (, or chopped chocolate)

2 tsp

shortening