Description
This incredible chocolate turtle cake recipe combines rich chocolate cake layers with a decadent caramel sauce and crunchy pecans. It’s an ultimate dessert perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well combined.
- Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin.
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the caramel sauce if making it from scratch while the cakes are cooling.
- Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle some chocolate chips.
- Place the second cake layer on top. Repeat the process with caramel sauce and chocolate chips.
- Finish with a generous amount of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of chopped pecans for decoration.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality chocolate and fresh pecans.
- Ensure cake layers are completely cool before assembling to prevent the caramel from melting.
- Test your oven as baking times can vary.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream for a creamy contrast.
- Decorate creatively with extra caramel sauce or melted chocolate.
- Consider a salted caramel twist by adding sea salt on top.
- A chocolate ganache can be used instead of or with caramel sauce.
- Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the batter to intensify chocolate flavor.
- Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freeze slices for up to 3 months, wrapped well to prevent freezer burn.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Chocolate Turtle Cake, Incredible Chocolate Turtle Cake, Ultimate Chocolate Turtle Cake, Chocolate Pecan Caramel Cake, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Homemade Chocolate Cake