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Chocolate Turtle Cake

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  • Author: clara
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Chill Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12-14 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Chocolate Turtle Cake is an indulgent dessert inspired by turtle candies, featuring moist chocolate cake, homemade caramel, toasted pecans, and chocolate ganache. Every bite is a perfect balance of gooey, nutty, and chocolatey goodness!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

For the Caramel Pecan Layer:

  • 1 cup soft caramel candies (like Kraft or Werther’s), unwrapped
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chopped toasted pecans

For the Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Extra chopped pecans
  • Drizzle of caramel and melted chocolate
  • Whole pecans for decoration

Instructions

Make the Chocolate Cake:

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
  4. Add Coffee: Slowly mix in the hot coffee (batter will be thin—this is normal!).
  5. Bake: Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.

Make the Caramel Pecan Layer:

  1. Melt Caramel: Microwave the caramel candies and heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
  2. Stir in Pecans: Mix in the toasted pecans. Let cool slightly before spreading on the cake.

Make the Ganache:

  1. Heat Cream & Mix: Warm heavy cream in the microwave until hot (but not boiling), then pour over chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.

Assemble the Cake:

  1. Layer the Cake:
    • Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
    • Spread the caramel pecan mixture evenly on top.
    • Place the second cake layer on top.
  2. Top with Ganache: Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it drip over the edges.

Decorate & Serve:

  1. Garnish: Sprinkle extra pecans on top and drizzle with additional caramel and melted chocolate.
  2. Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing for the best texture.

 



Notes

  • Want extra crunch? Add a layer of chopped pecans between the cake layers before adding the caramel.
  • No buttermilk? Substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar (let sit for 5 minutes).
  • Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days, but let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.