Description
Craft a decadent turtle cheesecake with luscious cream, rich caramel, chocolate, and crunchy pecans. Discover this gourmet dessert guide now!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1½ cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup caramel sauce, swirled into batter
For the Toppings
- ¾ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ½ cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter until well combined.
- Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined.
- Mix in vanilla, sour cream, and flour.
- Pour half the batter over the crust.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the batter and lightly swirl.
- Pour remaining batter over top and smooth.
3. Bake in Water Bath
- Wrap the pan in foil to prevent leaks.
- Place in a large roasting pan with hot water (1–2 inches deep).
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, until edges are set and center slightly jiggles.
- Turn off oven and crack the door; cool inside for 1 hour.
- Transfer to fridge and chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
4. Prepare Toppings
- Ganache: In a small saucepan or microwave, heat heavy cream until steaming. Pour over chocolate chips, let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Toasted Pecans: Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly. Let cool.
5. Decorate
- Pour ganache over chilled cheesecake and spread gently.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the ganache.
- Sprinkle with toasted pecans.
- Add extra caramel and chocolate drizzle just before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Add whipped cream and a whole turtle candy on each slice for presentation
- Serve with espresso or black coffee to cut the richness
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 5 days
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 slices
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Decadent Turtle Cheesecake