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Turtle Caramel Cake

Turtle Caramel Cake

Turtle Caramel Cake is a rich, gooey dessert that perfectly blends moist cake, luscious caramel, crunchy pecans, and silky chocolate. This crowd-pleasing cake offers a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors, making it a favorite for celebrations or an indulgent treat any time.

  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for vegan version)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan version)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk or cream (use plant-based milk/cream for vegan version)

Toppings and Mix-ins

  • 1 cup chopped pecans (lightly toasted recommended)
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks (dairy-free for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pan to prevent sticking. Chop pecans and measure all ingredients before starting.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy to achieve a tender crumb.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract to add aromatic warmth.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk to the creamed mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing.
  6. Assemble the Cake Layers: Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle chopped pecans, drizzle caramel sauce evenly, and sprinkle chocolate chips. Repeat layers with remaining batter and toppings.
  7. Bake and Cool: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan and adding any additional caramel drizzle.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
  • Use quality caramel sauce, homemade or store-bought, for best flavor.
  • Lightly toast pecans to enhance aroma and crunch.
  • Cool cake completely before slicing to keep caramel layers intact.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: Turtle Caramel Cake, caramel cake, pecan cake, chocolate cake, nutty dessert, layered cake, moist cake, easy dessert