If you’re a fan of cheesecake and turtles, then Turtle Cheesecake is a match made in dessert heaven. This indulgent dessert is a favorite among many for its rich and creamy texture, crunchy caramelized nuts, and gooey chocolatey drizzle.
So, why do people love turtle cheesecake so much? Well, for starters, it’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. The creamy cheesecake filling is offset by the saltiness of the caramelized pecans, and the chocolate drizzle adds just the right amount of sweetness to the mix. It’s also an incredibly decadent dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or when you’re in need of a little comfort food.
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Turtle Cheesecake
Making a turtle cheesecake is not a quick and easy task, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Depending on the recipe you use, it can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to prepare and bake. The process involves making the cheesecake crust from scratch, preparing the cheesecake filling, and then adding the caramelized nuts and chocolate drizzle on top.
Turtle cheesecake is perfect for serving at parties or events, or as a special dessert for a family dinner. It’s also a great dessert for holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you’re looking for something to serve after a big meal, turtle cheesecake is an excellent choice because it’s rich and filling, so a little goes a long way.
Ingredients
- Graham crackers
- Butter
- Sugar
- Pecans
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
- Sour cream
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel pieces
- Milk
Recipe Instructions
- To make turtle cheesecake, start by making the crust: Preheat your oven and pulse graham crackers in a food processor, then mix them with melted butter, sugar, and pecan pieces. Press the mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- Next, make the filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar and mix well. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sour cream. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for an hour.
- For the toppings: Melt caramel pieces in the microwave with milk and drizzle over the cheesecake while it’s still in the oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips and pecan pieces over the top and let it sit in the hot oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before refrigerating overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make a turtle cheesecake ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Yes, you can freeze turtle cheesecake. It’s best to wrap it in plastic wrap and then put it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
Yes, you can use different nuts in your turtle cheesecake. Pecans are the traditional nut used, but you can use walnuts or almonds instead.
More Recipes
- No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Cheesecake Tunnel of Fudge Cake
- Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
- Black Forest Cheesecake Cake
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake in a Jar
If you’ve tried this Turtle Cheesecake recipe or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
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Turtle Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 6 graham crackers or 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup pecan chopped in pieces
Filling
- 3 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 5 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 16 oz sour cream
Toppings
- 1 cup chocolate chips I like to use mini chips
- 1 cup pecan chopped in pieces
- ½ cup caramel use bits or chop into pieces
- 2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until they become a fine crumb. Alternatively, you can place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and pecan pieces in a bowl and mix until everything is well combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan, making sure to also press the mixture halfway up the sides of the pan.
- Bake the crust in the oven for 10 minutes.
Filling:
- While the crust is baking, use a mixer to beat the cream cheese until it becomes completely smooth.
- Add the sugar to the cream cheese and mix well.
- With the mixer on low speed, add one egg at a time to the cream cheese mixture, making sure to mix well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sour cream to the mixture and mix well until everything is completely smooth.
- Pour the filling into the prepared crust and spread it evenly.
- Bake the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour.
Toppings:
- After the cheesecake has been baking for 1 hour, melt the caramel pieces in the microwave until completely melted. Add the milk to the melted caramel and stir until it is well combined.
- Drizzle the caramel over the cheesecake while it is still in the oven.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecan pieces over the top of the cheesecake.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the hot oven for another 10 minutes until the chocolate is melted.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it sit until it comes to room temperature.
- Move the cheesecake to the refrigerator and chill it overnight.
- Enjoy your delicious turtle cheesecake!
Notes
- For the caramel you are using those bagged caramel bits or the caramel squares and melting them. I you are not making a true caramel here.
Nutrition
Turtle Cheesecake is a dessert that’s sure to impress. While it may take some time to make, the end result is a creamy, decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a fan of cheesecake, turtles, or both, this dessert is a must-try.
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