Do you want to prepare a nostalgic recipe that reminds you of your childhood? The turtle caramel cake is a recipe that awakens our memories with every single bite. A piece of gooey and rich cake was a thing we looked forward to. And we get it.
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Who could resist this chocolatey goodness?
The turtle cake is a classic decadent dessert for this moment when you can’t control your cravings. The melted caramel with crunchy pecans and chocolate chips is sandwiched between two layers of chocolate fluffiness. But this is not all, folks! We topped the cake with chocolate fudge frosting for full enjoyment. Enough talking; let’s start cooking now!
What makes this recipe so unique?
We feature a modern twist to the classic recipe for convenience and flavor variety. The traditional turtle caramel cake uses chocolate ganache as a topping. But we opted for store-bought chocolate fudge frosting for convenience and a lighter flavor profile.
Can I substitute the chocolate fudge frosting?
Absolutely, you can go with the homemade ganache as the traditional version. But remember that it will take longer to make it, and the chocolate flavor will be more prominent.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the turtle caramel cake ahead of time and let the chocolate layer absorb the flavors and get moist. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and serve a piece when ready. The cake can last a few days in the refrigerator, but no one can resist it for that long!
Ingredients:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pecans
- Unsalted sweet cream butter melted
- Evaporated milk
- Caramel bits
- German chocolate cake mix
- Whole milk
- Eggs
- Canola oil
- Chocolate fudge frosting
How to make it:
Step 1. To save some items, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 heatproof dish with cooking spray.
Step 2. Add the oil, cake mix, milk, and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat this mixture until nicely incorporated and smooth.
Step 3. Pour half of this mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Step 4. While your batter is baking, melt the caramel bits, butter, and evaporated milk over medium heat. Make sure to stir continuously so your mixture won’t burn. Once your mixture is all melted and there are no lumps
Step 5. Remove the cake from the oven, but don’t turn it off. Pour the caramel mixture over the baked cake in the baking dish.
Step 6. Add some chopped pecans and chocolate chips over the caramel mixture.
Step 7. Now, it is time to cover the cake with the remaining batter. Pour it over the caramel mixture and bake for 20 minutes.
Step 8. Leave the chocolate frosting at room temperature to soften.
Step 9. Remove the turtle cake from the oven and let it cool completely before you add frosting.
Step 10. Once cooled, add frosting and garnish with remaining chocolate chips and pecans.
Step 3. Add half of the battle to the greased baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 4. In the meantime, add the caramel bits, evaporated milk, and butter to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and cook until melted.
Step 5. Pour the mixture over the baked cake once the caramel bits and butter melt.
Add pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Step 6. Pour the remaining batter over the caramel sauce. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 7. Let the chocolate fudge frosting soften so you can quickly spread it.
The cake is entirely cool; top it with the frosting and sprinkle more chocolate chips and pecans.
Enjoy!
PrintTurtle Caramel Cake
Do you want to prepare a nostalgic recipe that reminds you of your childhood? The turtle caramel cake is a recipe that awakens our memories with every single bite.
Ingredients
- 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 C chopped pecans
- ¾ C unsalted sweet cream butter melted
- ½ C evaporated milk
- 1 – 11 oz caramel bits
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix
- 1 C whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ C canola oil
- 1 container of chocolate fudge frosting
Instructions
- To save some items, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 heatproof dish with cooking spray.
- Add the oil, cake mix, milk, and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat this mixture until nicely incorporated and smooth.
- Pour half of this mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
- While your batter is baking, melt the caramel bits, butter, and evaporated milk over medium heat. Make sure to stir continuously so your mixture won’t burn. Once your mixture is all melted and there are no lumps
- Remove the cake from the oven, but don’t turn it off. Pour the caramel mixture over the baked cake in the baking dish.
- Add some chopped pecans and chocolate chips over the caramel mixture.
- Now, it is time to cover the cake with the remaining batter. Pour it over the caramel mixture and bake for 20 minutes.
- Leave the chocolate frosting at room temperature to soften.
- Remove the turtle cake from the oven and let it cool completely before you add frosting.
- Once cooled, add frosting and garnish with remaining chocolate chips and pecans.
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.