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Chocolate Turtle Cake: A Decadent Dessert That’s Pure Bliss

Ely Rechard
This Chocolate Turtle Cake features three layers of rich chocolate cake filled with gooey caramel and chopped pecans, all wrapped in a smooth chocolate ganache. It’s indulgent, nutty, and perfect for special occasions.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 slices
Calories 1138 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dark baking cocoa
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup chopped pecans for caramel
  • 1 cup chopped pecans for ganache
  • Caramel: 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 6 tbsp butter
  • Ganache: 1 cup dark chocolate chips 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • Frosting: 2 oz unsweetened chocolate 1/3 cup chocolate chips, 4 cups powdered sugar, 3/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp cocoa

Instructions
 

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
  • 2. Mix cocoa with boiling water and let cool. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  • 3. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, mixing until smooth. Stir in cocoa mixture.
  • 4. Pour batter into pans and bake 20–25 mins. Let cool completely.
  • 5. For caramel: Boil sugars, cream, corn syrup, and butter until soft-ball stage (238°F). Stir in remaining cream. Cool slightly, pour over pecans in pan. Chill until firm.
  • 6. For ganache: Heat cream until just boiling. Pour over chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Pour over pecans in lined pan. Chill.
  • 7. For frosting: Melt chocolates. Beat powdered sugar, butter, milk, cocoa, and vanilla until fluffy. Blend in melted chocolate.
  • 8. Assemble cake: Cake layer, caramel layer, cake layer, ganache layer, cake layer. Frost and garnish with chopped pecans and chocolate dollops.

Notes

Use a candy thermometer to ensure the caramel reaches the correct stage.
Chill caramel and ganache layers before assembly for easy stacking.
Store in refrigerator, bring to room temperature before serving.
Keyword chocolate caramel cake, Chocolate Turtle Cake, layered chocolate cake, turtle dessert