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How to Make the Best Turtle Cheesecake Recipe

Many years ago, when my daughter was in high school, we made the best Turtle Cheesecake for Valentine’s Day that I have ever eaten! The creamy cheesecake had a combination of chocolate, caramel, and a nut topping that really put it over the top! I just recently found the recipe and thought it was worth sharing.

If this is your first time to have turtle cheesecake, you are in for a treat! This creamy and decadent cheesecake can be served at any special occasion or for your after dinner dessert. It is delicious any way you slice it!

I realize that you may not always have the time to make a homemade cheesecake. I can actually count on one hand the times I have made it for that reason, so I am also sharing a quick and easy “cheat” version below. Of course the homemade turtle cheesecake is better, but the quick version is still one of the best cheesecakes you can find – thanks to the toppings.

Ingredients for Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients

    Crust Ingredients

    • Cheesecake Ingredients

    • Topping Ingredients

Instructions for Turtle Cheesecake

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the crust ingredients in a medium bowl and press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform cake pan.
  3. Bake the buttery crust for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Beat the cream cheese until creamy and then add the sugar, cream, vanilla, and flour.
  5. Once the cheesecake batter is mixed well, add the eggs and incorporate well.
  6. Pour the cream cheese mixture onto the crust (in the spring form pan) and bake for 55 minutes.
  7. Let the cheesecake cool completely on a wire rack before removing the sides of the springform pan.
  8. Once the sides of the springform pan are removed, drizzle the chocolate ice cream topping in one direction and the caramel ice cream topping in the opposite direction, making a criss-cross pattern on top of the cheesecake.
  9. Add the pecans and mini chocolate chips to the top, and refrigerate.
  10. Chill at least 8 hours before slicing.

Different Options

  • Use other toppings besides chocolate and caramel.
  • Leave off the pecans.
  • Top the cheese cake with a chocolate ganache.
  • Make a homemade caramel sauce.
  • Use an Oreo cookie crust instead of graham crackers.
  • Use regular store-bought caramel and chocolate sauce instead of the Magic Shell.
  • Top with small candies such as chopped up turtle candies or mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
  • Keep it plain and top it with sour cream.
  • Use a food processor to grind graham crackers into fine crumbs to make your own graham cracker crust.

A Quicker Version

I could not find the Magic Shell caramel topping this time. Because Jay loves peanut butter so much, I decided to do a chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake – the quick version.

turtle cheesecake toppings ingredients

Most grocery stores make cheesecakes in their bakeries. They usually have a variety of sizes. It is very convenient, but still delicious to purchase one of these cheesecakes and add the toppings. You will still have to refrigerate it until the ice cream toppings harden, but it will not take long at all.

The grocery stores also give you the option of purchasing a whole cheesecake or one that has been sliced. When I use a store bought cheesecake, I get the sliced ones. They are much easier to handle.

plain cheesecake
cheesecake with chocolate and peanut butter toppings
cheesecake with all toppings finished

Recommended Items

disclosure

1 – If you don’t have a Springform Cake Pan this brand is great!

2 – This hand-mixer is great, or if you prefer a stand mixer, I have an older version of this one. I love the color of this one!

3 – These cooling racks are great!

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Whether you make a homemade turtle cheesecake or turn a store bought cheesecake into an indulgent dessert, your guests are sure to love it! If you present it just right, no one may be able to tell which is which! If you try it, I would love to hear from you.

Recipe Card

You can print this recipe card to keep it handy, or pin the recipe on Pinterest for later use.

Turtle Cheesecake

Turtle Cheesecake

This turtle cheesecake is very creamy and decadent. It is topped with chopped pecans, chocolate chips, and chocolate and caramel topping. It is a great dessert to serve at parties or to have for an after dinner dessert.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Additional Time 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (You could also use an Oreo Crust.)
  • 1/4 Cup Melted Butter
  • 1/4 Cup Sugar

Cheesecake

  • 3 (8 oz.) Pkgs. Cream Cheese at Room Temperature
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 1 Cup Light Cream
  • 1 T. Vanilla Extract
  • 5 T. Flour
  • 2 Eggs

Topping

  • 1 Bottle of Chocolate Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
  • 1 Bottle of Caramel Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping
  • 1 Package of Chopped Pecans
  • 1 Pkg. Mini Chocolate Chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine all the ingredients for the crust and press into the bottom of a buttered 9 inch springform cake pan.
  3. Bake the buttery crust for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Beat the cream cheese until creamy, then add the sugar, cream, vanilla, and flour.
  5. Once the cheesecake batter is mixed well, add the eggs and incorporate well.
  6. Pour the cream cheese mixture onto the crust (in the spring form pan), and bake for 55 minutes.
  7. Once it is finished, let it cool completely on a wire rack before removing the sides of the springform pan.
  8. Once the sides of the springform pan are removed, drizzle the chocolate ice cream topping in one direction and the caramel ice cream topping in the opposite direction, making a criss-cross pattern on top of the cheesecake.
  9. Add the pecans and mini chocolate chips to the top, and refrigerate.
  10. Chill at least 8 hours before slicing.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.

© Susan Sikes
Category: Desserts

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Until next week,

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16 Comments

  1. Oh my word, Susan, had I known about this cheesecake I would have picked it for my birthday cake. It looks amazing! I love that there’s a cheat version too because most everyone asks me to bring a dessert and sometimes I’m so pressed for time I need something delicious but also quick and easy. I’m so excited to try this! Big hugs, CoCo

    Reply

    1. I love the cheat version. I made it for a church event last night, and it was great. However, after having the caramel and the peanut butter, the caramel is definitely better. You couldn’t really taste the peanut buttery flavor. I will just have to try a few other stores to find the caramel.

      Reply

  2. Oh wow, Susan, cheesecake, and nuts, this is perfect.
    I visited you via Miz Helen’s Cottage: Full Plate Thursday, 677
    My links: 51+52. It would be awesome if you would share your links with us M-S at SeniorSalonPitStop. You will find it under BLOGGING

    Reply

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