Turtle Caramel Cake – Gooey, Nutty, and Oh-So-Delicious!
This rich and decadent Turtle Caramel Cake combines layers of moist chocolate cake, silky caramel, chopped pecans, and a drizzle of chocolate ganache. It’s the kind of dessert that brings silence to the table – because everyone’s too busy savoring every bite!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 box devil’s food chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups water
For the Filling:
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (11 oz) bag caramel bits or unwrapped soft caramels
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (divided)
For the Topping:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
Extra caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Mix cake ingredients until smooth. Pour into the pan and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Poke & Fill: Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the warm cake. In a saucepan, melt caramel bits with condensed milk and cream over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the cake, letting it seep into the holes.
- Add Pecans: Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans over the gooey caramel layer.
- Make Ganache: Heat 1/2 cup cream until just simmering. Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Spread the ganache over the cake.
- Decorate: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup pecans. Chill cake for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serving Tip:
Serve chilled or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Nutrition Info (Per Slice – 12 servings)
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Carbs | 60 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Sugar | 45 g |
FAQs
Q: Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day! Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Q: Can I use homemade chocolate cake?
Absolutely. Any rich, moist chocolate cake recipe works beautifully.
Q: What kind of caramel sauce should I use?
A thick, rich caramel (like dulce de leche) is ideal, but store-bought caramel topping works too.
