Turtle Caramel Cake
Indulge in the nostalgic bliss of Turtle Caramel Cake, a rich Turtle Cake that combines moist chocolate cake, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans for an irresistible treat. Ready in about an hour, this Chocolate Turtle masterpiece is perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any gathering where you want to impress. With its velvety caramel filling and chocolate fudge frosting, this Turtle Poke Cake is surprisingly simple to make, yet looks and tastes like a bakery showstopper. Follow our easy recipe to create this decadent dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix or devil’s food cake mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1 package 11 oz caramel bits
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
- 2 cups chopped pecans divided
- 1 container 16 oz chocolate fudge frosting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine 1 box cake mix, 1 cup milk, 3 eggs, and 1/3 cup canola oil. Use a hand mixer to beat for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Bake First Layer: Pour half the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 11 oz caramel bits, 3/4 cup melted butter, and 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Whisk frequently until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Add Filling: Remove the partially baked cake from the oven. Pour the warm caramel filling evenly over the top. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans over the caramel.
- Top and Finish Baking: Dollop the remaining cake batter over the filling in spoonfuls, gently spreading to cover. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center has a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Frost: Cool the cake completely on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Spread 1 container chocolate fudge frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup pecans.
- Serve: Slice and serve as a decadent Turtle Cake, perfect with coffee or ice cream for a true Chocolate Turtle experience.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake: Check for moist crumbs on the toothpick to keep the Turtle Cake moist.
- Melt Caramel Slowly: Whisk constantly over medium heat to avoid burning the caramel filling.
- Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Spread Batter Gently: Use a knife to carefully cover the caramel layer without mixing it into the top batter.
- Toast Pecans: Lightly toast pecans for deeper flavor in this Chocolate Turtle.