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Easy Homemade Chocolate Turtle Cake

This delightful cake combines rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans into an indulgent dessert that's easy to make at home.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 box German chocolate cake mix rich, chocolatey base
  • 1 cup evaporated milk, divided adds creaminess and moisture
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted provides richness and depth of flavor
For the Caramel Filling
  • 1 package caramels, unwrapped (14-ounce) sweet, gooey goodness
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melts perfectly, adding that heavenly chocolate touch
  • 1 cup chopped pecans adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
Mixing the Batter
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the German chocolate cake mix, 1/2 cup of evaporated milk, and melted butter. Mix until smooth.
Baking First Layer
  1. Spread half of the cake batter in the prepared pan and bake for approximately 15 minutes.
Preparing Caramel Filling
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine unwrapped caramels with the remaining 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
Assembling the Cake
  1. Once the first layer is baked, remove it and pour the melted caramel evenly over the top. Sprinkle chocolate chips and chopped pecans over the caramel.
Adding Final Layer
  1. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake batter over the toppings and gently spread it to cover as much as possible.
Final Baking
  1. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the top layer is set.

Notes

Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature for smooth mixing. Consider adding a chocolate ganache on top for extra richness and serve warm with vanilla ice cream for decadence.