A luscious chocolate cheesecake with a thick layer of creamy caramel and chopped pecans—this turtle cheesecake has it all, and it doesn’t even require a water bath to make it!
Hello hello! I hope you’re ready for (yet another) cheesecake! TURTLE CHEESECAKE! With a thick layer of caramel, a creamy chocolate cheesecake, and plenty of pecans for crunch.
This is a cheesecake that requires quite a few steps, but none of those steps is actually difficult so I promise you CAN make this. And you definitely should make this. Unless of course you’re not in the mood for a delicious dessert. . .
But if that’s the case you came to the wrong place 😉
Why you’ll love this turtle cheesecake:
- No water bath required!
- All the ingredients are easy to find—no special ingredients here
- You don’t need a stand mixer!
Why is it called turtle cheesecake? What is a chocolate turtle?
This turtle cheesecake is a cheesecake-ified spin on the classic turtle candy, a confection made with chocolate, caramel, and pecans. (If you’ve never had a chocolate turtle you’ve GOT to try them.)
Chocolate-dipped pecans, as a brand, were developed by Johnson’s Candy Company in 1918, when a vigilant candy-dipper in Chicago noted that the candy was shaped like a turtle.
You can find all kinds of spins on turtle candies today, including cake versions, brownies versions, and candies made with nuts other than pecans. But this cheesecake uses the classic chocolate-caramel-pecan combo.
However, if you wanted to use a different nut I highly encourage you to experiment! Keep the proportion the same (1 cup of nuts) and you’ll be just fine.
How to make graham cracker crust
- Stir graham cracker crumbs and a few other ingredients together until the crumbs are saturated
- Press the crust into a 9-inch springform pan, then freeze while you make the filling
How to make turtle cheesecake filling
- Beat room temperature cream cheese until creamy
- Beat in eggs and a few more ingredients
- Add melted chocolate
- Beat to combine
- Pour melted caramel candies into the frozen crust and top with chopped pecans
- Pour the cheesecake filling over that
Then just bake (without a water bath—hooray!), chill overnight, and serve!
Serving your turtle cheesecake
Since this turtle cheesecake needs to chill overnight, you’ll need to be sure to make it a day before you intend to serve it.
I topped my cheesecake with whipped cream and pecan halves but there are lots of fun options for serving, like:
- Drizzle with caramel sauce
- Drizzle with hot fudge (I highly recommend!)
- Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with chopped pecans
- Some combination of the above—it’s hard to go wrong here
How to store your cheesecake
Uneaten cheesecake (if you should actually have such a thing) can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also wrap individual slices tightly with plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can defrost slices in the fridge overnight or at room temp for about half an hour (if you can wait that long—there’s nothing wrong with frozen cheesecake in my book!).
If you want to freeze the whole cheesecake to serve later you can pop the cheesecake, pan and all, into the freezer for about an hour, until it’s frozen solid. (Be sure it’s fully chilled before you freeze it.)
Once the cheesecake is frozen, wrap it well and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost the cheesecake in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve it.
A few more cheesecake recipes
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
No Bake Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
Coconut Lime Cheesecake
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes
Did you make this turtle cheesecake? Hooray! Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. And post a pic on Insta; tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your beautiful creations!
This turtle cheesecake features a creamy chocolate cheesecake and a thick layer of caramel and pecans. It's relatively easy to make and it doesn't even require a water bath!
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs from about 12 sheets graham crackers
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 11 ounces soft caramel candies unwrapped
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 16 ounces full fat cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melted
- whipped cream and additional pecan halves for serving optional
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and set pan aside.
- Stir the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt together in a mixing bowl until the crumbs are evenly saturated in the butter. Press into the bottom and partway up the sides of the prepared pan.
- Pop the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes and leave it in the freezer while you make the filling.
- Combine the caramel candies and evaporated milk in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. (It will take quite a bit of stirring before the caramels start to melt.)
- Pour the caramel into the frozen crust and sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top.
- Place the cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until very creamy. Add the sugar and beat until well combined.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the eggs and vanilla and beat to combine.
- Add the melted chocolate chips and beat on low speed until fully combined. Scrape into the crust and smooth the top. Bake for 28 to 34 minutes, until the edges are set but the center of the cheesecake still jiggles a little if you tap the pan.
- Remove cheesecake from the oven and cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Once cool, refrigerate the cheesecake overnight.
- When you’re ready to serve, top with whipped cream and pecan halves (optional). Slice and serve.
- You could also serve this cheesecake with caramel sauce and/or hot fudge
- Store uneaten cheesecake in the fridge (covered) for up to 3 days or in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for up to 3 months
Adapted from Notably Nashville
sherry says
this sounds so very delicious kelsie. yum what a combo. cheers sherry
David @ Spiced says
I love turtles! (Also, glad to see that no actual turtles went into this recipe. Hah!) Seriously, though, I’ve always been a fan of nuts and chocolate together, so this cheesecake is calling my name. That layer of caramel on the bottom sounds awesome…what a creative idea, Kelsie! You nailed it with this one!
Kelsie says
Thank you, David!
Liz says
Oh, my gosh, what an amazing cheesecake! I love ALL things turtle and want to dive through my computer screen to grab a slice!!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Liz!
Olga says
I have always had a serious weakness when it comes to cheesecake, but never made my own. The flavor of this recipe is motivating me to try it for the first time. It simply looks amazing! 🙂
Kelsie says
Olga, you HAVE to make your own! Thank you!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
Believe it or not but I tried turtle candy just last year (in ice cream), and I liked it. But what not to like about turtles: caramel, pecan, and chocolate? Also, what not to like about this luscious cheesecake? Perfection!
Kelsie says
Turtle ice cream sounds awesome! Thanks, Ben!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Wow. This looks wonderful — cheesecake taken to a whole ‘nother level. Thanks!
Kelsie says
Thank you, John!
Carlee says
You’re killing me, smalls. I was going to try to start being good, but now I’ll have to wait until after I make (and eat) this!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thanks, Carlee!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Oh Kelsie – I am dying over here! First I stop by David’s blog and get my tastebuds teased with his chocolate chip cookie cheesecake and now THIS! I need to call in sick and dive into a sugar coma today with a slice (or three) of both f y’alls cheesecakes! I’m so so loving that layer of caramel and pecans that you have tucked between the crust and the cheesecake! So so divine!
Kelsie says
Um yeah, I’m still thinking about that chocolate chip cookie cheesecake :). Thank you so much, Shashi!
Kim Lange says
I love this so much, wish I could go right through the screen and grab! Pinning! xo
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kim!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
That filling is KILLER!! I go through periods in my life (basically weekly) where all I want is something smooth and chocolately and caramely. You answered my dreams, Kelsie! I am adding this to the must make ASAP!
Kelsie says
Thanks, Katherine! (And those chocolate and caramel cravings are at least weekly for me too :))
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Feel free to bring on ALL the cheesecakes, girl! Especially considering you make some EPIC cheesecakes! I mean, just look at this one! Holy moly!!! Luscious is the perfect description!!! You know I can’t eat chocolate, but this is making me want to bust out the EpiPen and say what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks!! This looks insanely delicious! Turtle heaven!! Pinned!
Kelsie says
Awww thanks, Chey! I’ll make you a white chocolate version!
Laura says
Kelsie, you definitely know the way to my heart (or stomach, but they are the same thing, right?)! Anything cheesecake anything turtle. Now you’ve combined them. Love the easy recipe! Pinning!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thanks, Laura!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
Again the cheesecake queen amazes me with the most delicious sounding cheesecake! Pinning!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Kelly!
Milena says
Looks delicious! Turtle candy is sinfully good, I agree everyone should try it and this cheesecake is definitely up there with the most decadent desserts ever created!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Milena!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Holy Moly this looks crazy good Kelsie! My mother is a huge turtles candy fan, so I’ll need to make this for her the next time I visit! Pinned and excited to try!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Mary Ann!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
And my hubby just happened to pick up a package of caramels this weekend…. I’m ready!! Pinned!
Kelsie says
Yaaay! Thanks, Annie!
Leanne @ Crumb Top Baking says
I have a serious weakness for turtle chocolates, but I only let myself buy them around Christmastime! So when it comes to turtle desserts, I’m all over them. This cheesecake looks so decadent and delicious! You may have outdone yourself this time Kelsie! Happy Monday! Pinning!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Leanne!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I’m always ready for cheesecake, especially when it looks as good as this! So lush and chocolatey and caramelly? What’s not to love?? Pinned! Have a lovely week, my friend 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you, Dawn!