Here’s an Easy Homemade Chocolate Turtle Cake recipe — rich, gooey, and full of that irresistible combo of chocolate, caramel, and pecans. This semi-homemade version keeps it simple but indulgent!
🍫 Easy Homemade Chocolate Turtle Cake
🍽️ Serves: 12
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 35–40 min
🧂 Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 box devil’s food chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients listed on the box (usually eggs, oil, water)
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (optional, makes it extra moist)
Filling:
- 1 (14 oz) bag of caramels, unwrapped
or 1 cup caramel sauce - 1/2 cup evaporated milk (for melting caramels)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Preheat Oven
- To 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Cake Batter
- Make the cake mix according to package instructions.
- Stir in the sour cream/yogurt for a rich texture (optional).
- Bake Bottom Layer
- Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, just until set.
- Melt Caramel
- While it bakes, melt caramels with evaporated milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. (If using jarred caramel, skip this step.)
- Layer It Up
- Once the bottom layer is baked, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over it.
- Sprinkle with pecans and chocolate chips.
- Top & Bake Again
- Pour the remaining cake batter gently over the top to cover the filling.
- Bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean (gooey center is okay!).
- Cool & Serve
- Let cool slightly before slicing. Best served warm, maybe with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
🍴 Tips & Variations:
- Extra Gooey? Poke holes in the cake after baking and drizzle more warm caramel on top.
- Make it ahead: Bake and refrigerate, then warm individual slices in the microwave.
- Add sea salt for a sweet-salty twist.
Would you like a from-scratch version or one in cupcake form too?