Chocolate Turtle Cake

This easy turtle cake recipe is rich, gooey, and features caramel, chocolate, and crunchy pecans. It's a decadent twist on chocolate turtle cake, turtle poke cake, and even a turtle caramel cake made simple with chocolate box cake mix hacks. You'll get the best box cake mix recipe that tastes homemade and like a bakery cake, making this an easy homemade dessert without the fuss. Pin this easy turtle cake now to keep a crowd-pleasing favorite ready for any occasion.

Why is this the best chocolate turtle cake recipe

This decadent dessert is delicious! Everyone loves chocolate, and everyone loves caramel, and these two together will delight both kids and adults alike.

This is an easy dessert. Using a cake box mix makes this quick and simple. Bake the cake according to the box directions, then add the toppings that elevate it way above a typical box cake. That's all there is to it!

Pin

The ingredients for this easy recipe are very common. You probably have most of the simple ingredients already in your pantry. Anything you don't have will be found easily in any grocery store.

It's an irresistible flavor combination! The combination of moist cake, rich chocolate ganache, creamy caramel, and crunchy chopped pecans is a huge crowd-pleaser.

What you'll need to make turtle cake

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl - To mix the cake
• Cast Iron Skillet or Cake Pan- I suggest a cast iron pan for flavor, but any round pan big enough to bake the cake evenly will be fine. Aim for a 10 to 12-inch round pan.

Ingredients

Pin

See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

• Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, plus ingredients to make the cake - You are going to bake this cake exactly as the box instructions. That's not the end! After it bakes, you're going to doctor it up to make it the chocolate cake everyone dreams about. If you can't find chocolate fudge, go for something equally rich. The richer and chocolaty-er, the better.
• Chocolate Fudge Frosting - You can make homemade buttercream if you want, but I like the pre-made frosting because it makes this a 5-minute prep with no measuring and no dishes. I typically don't like the flavor of grocery store frosting, but it works in this recipe.
• Caramel ice cream topping - Again, you can make homemade caramel if you want, but the caramel from a jar works just as well and makes this rich cake taste amazing.
• Chopped pecans - If you have a nut allergy, you could substitute these or leave them out. I like the crunch they offer.

How to make a Turtle Poke Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Grease a large cast iron skillet.
2. Mix the cake batter as directed on the box (typically by mixing in some eggs, oil, and water). Carefully pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out.
   Pin
3. Bake, uncovered, as directed on the box or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean (for me, this is usually about 5 minutes less than the box says).
   Pin
4. While the cake is baking, mix the frosting with the caramel. Set aside.
   Pin
5. When the cake is done, immediately pour about a third of the frosting mixture to completely cover the top and smooth it out. The frosting will melt and soak into the cake.
   Pin
6. Place the cake in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes, until it's warm but no longer hot. Pour the rest of the frosting onto the cake and smooth it out.
   Pin
7. Sprinkle the nuts over the top. Drizzle with a little extra caramel.
   Pin
8. Allow the cake to cool fully to room temperature, then slice and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
   Pin

To make a lighter cake, you can swap the chocolate cake mix for German Chocolate or Devil's Food, but I personally prefer the chocolate fudge or even a brownie mix for a richer base.

You can replace the caramel ice cream topping with dulce de leche, melted butterscotch chips (you'll need a lot - at least a couple of bags), or peanut butter sauce.

Swap pecans with walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, sliced almonds, peanuts, or cashews. You can also toast the nuts for a deeper flavor.

If you have a nut allergy and want to add some crunch, you could use crushed pretzels.

You could use chocolate ganache in place of chocolate frosting.

Try an extra garnish of toffee bits, crushed cookies, or sea salt flakes.

Don't forget a scoop of ice cream with each slice!

Pin

Storing leftovers

Store covered with a plastic wrap, foil, or in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot (away from heat or direct sun) at room temperature for up to 5 days.

It will keep a little longer in the refrigerator, but it will get stale. To minimize this, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight cake keeper. Bring slices to room temperature (about 20-30 minutes) before serving so the caramel softens again.

Pin

To freeze a turtle cake, wrap individual slices or the whole cake in a plastic wrap then foil, then place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag to prevent freezer burn. It will stay fresh for a few weeks to a month.

Thaw overnight in the fridge, then let it sit at room temperature to warm before enjoying. If you want to keep the turtle topping glossy and gooey, add a fresh drizzle of caramel right before serving.

Check out more delicious chocolate recipes

• Homemade Chocolate Pie
• Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
• Triple Chocolate Cake with Homemade Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
• Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)
• Baked Double Chocolate Donut
• Chocolate Cherry Cake - Easy Black Forest Cake
• The Very Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe