Selfmade Caramel Turtle Cheesecake Recipe

May 9, 2025

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This creamy turtle cheesecake recipe is the proper dessert to make for the vacations! A creamy cheesecake filling swirled and topped with chocolate ganache and caramel sauce. Toasted, chopped pecans are sprinkled on high after baking so it’s identical to biting right into a home made turtle sweet. And the most effective half is the cheesecake will be made the day earlier than!

I’m a giant fan of cheesecake recipes round right here in case you didn’t know. A lot so I even wrote a cookbook on it, Cheesecake For All Seasons. I really like every kind of cheesecake from these no bake banana pudding cheesecake bars, to this simple cheesecake pie, or possibly this lemon blueberry cheesecake I like to make in the summertime time. There actually is a cheesecake for all of the seasons.

Like this caramel turtle cheesecake recipe. You can also make it for Christmas, Easter, Mom’s Day or simply any time a special day requires a decadent slice of cheesecake.

This recipe begins with my vanilla cheesecake recipe however I swirled in some home made caramel sauce and chocolate ganache to the cheesecake filling. After it’s baked I poured extra caramel and chocolate ganache and sprinkle on pecans. Should you love turtle candies then you’re going to love this decadent turtle cheesecake.

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slice of turtle cheesecake with a forkful missing

Why This Recipe Works

Good show-stopping dessert to serve for the vacations
Nice make forward vacation dessert because the cheesecake must arrange within the fridge in a single day
A layer of chocolate ganache and caramel poured over the filling earlier than serving
Crunchy pecans sprinkled on after baking

Substances Wanted

Graham crackers – I made this crust with graham crackers however you possibly can swap and use digestive biscuits or Nilla wafers.
Salt – I like so as to add a pinch of salt within the filling to assist steadiness the sweetness.
Butter – I used unsalted butter however you may also use salted butter. Simply omit the added salt.
Granulated sugar
Cream cheese – Be certain your cream cheese is softened earlier than you start. Learn my tutorial on how you can soften cream cheese. I additionally advocate full-fat cream cheese within the blocks, not the tubs which may have a unique texture.
Corn starch – Slightly little bit of corn starch may help maintain the eggs from overcooking and the cheesecake from cracking. You may omit if essential or use 2 Tablespoons flour as a substitute.
Vanilla extract
Eggs – You need room temperature eggs so that you get a creamy filling. Learn my tutorial on how you can deliver eggs to room temperature quick.
Bitter cream – Full fats is finest, however a low-fat should work. I don’t advocate fat-free bitter cream. And you possibly can strive swapping and use plain full-fat Greek yogurt.
Chocolate – I used a semisweet chocolate bar for the ganache that I finely chopped, however darkish chocolate may also be used. Or chocolate chips.
Caramel sauce– You can also make your individual home made caramel sauce or purchase a top quality store-bought caramel sauce.
Heavy whipping cream – I used some heavy cream within the ganache
Pecans – I used pecans within the crust and sprinkled them on high after baking. You wish to toast the pecans first, then use them. Toasting the pecans brings out the flavors of the nuts and takes away among the bitterness. Right here is my full tutorial on how you can toast pecans.

How To Make Turtle Cheesecake

Make the ganache.

Place the chocolate in a small mixing bowl.

Warmth the cream till highly regarded, both in saucepan on low warmth, or within the microwave. You need the heavy cream sizzling, however not boiling.

Pour the recent cream over the chocolate. Let sit for five minutes, then whisk easy. Put aside whilst you put together the cheesecake.

heavy cream and chocolate combined into ganache

Make graham cracker crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), with rack in center of oven.

Pulse the graham crackers and pecans in a meals processor or blender till finely floor.

Put in a big bowl, and stir within the salt, melted butter and brown sugar.

graham crackers, butter, pecans and sugar blended together in food processor

Press the crumb combination firmly into the underside and barely up the edges of a 9 inch springform pan, utilizing the underside of a measuring cup (or you should utilize your fingers).

Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes. Take away from the oven and let cool.

graham cracker mixture pressed into springform pan

Make cheesecake filling

Within the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, sugar and corn starch on medium velocity for 4 minutes.

cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch beaten together

Add the salt and vanilla, beating after every addition.

Add the eggs, one by one, beating for one minute after every addition.

eggs, vanilla, and salt added to cheesecake batter

Add the bitter cream, beat till included. Add heavy cream and beat till included. Scrape down the edges of the bowl and alongside the underside to ensure all the cream cheese has been included.

sour cream and heavy cream added to cheesecake batter

Bake the cheesecake

Decrease the warmth on the oven to 325°F (160°C).

Wrap the surface of the springform pan in 3-4 layers of aluminum foil, making certain not one of the pan is uncovered and any water can get jn. I additionally advocate then wrapping in a sluggish cooker liner. Or you’ll be able to place the pan into a bigger pan like a 10-inch cake pan then place the bigger cake pan into a big roasting pan. I discover if I exploit simply tin foil water nonetheless will get in.

Put together pan and boiling water: Place the foil-wrapped springform pan in a big, high-sided roasting pan. Put together 2 quarts of boiling water.

Pour ½ of the cheesecake filling into the springform pan, over the graham cracker crust. Easy the highest with a rubber spatula.

cheesecake batter added to graham cracker crust

Add 2 Tablespoons of ganache and a couple of Tablespoons of caramel sauce on high of the cheesecake batter and swirl with the tip of a knife.

caramel and ganache swirled into cheesecake batter

Add the remaining cheesecake batter on high and easy the highest with a rubber spatula. High with 2 tablespoons ganache, and a couple of tablespoons caramel sauce and swirl with the tip of a knife.

cheesecake batter added to pan and topped with caramel and ganache then swirled

Place the roasting pan with the springform pan in it, within the oven.

Rigorously pour the recent water into the roasting pan, pouring till the water reaches midway up the facet of the springform pan.

Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 80-90 minutes till the perimeters of the cheesecake are set and barely golden brown, and the center of the cheesecake is about however nonetheless barely wobbly. Should you discover the highest is browning too shortly, tent the highest of the pan with tinfoil midway via baking.

Flip off the warmth of the oven. Crack open the oven door and let the cake cool within the oven, because the oven cools, for an additional hour, which can assist stop the cheesecake from cracking.

Cowl the highest of the cheesecake with a paper towel (to assist with condensation forming) after which cowl in foil. Chill within the fridge for at least 4 hours, or in a single day.

Earlier than serving, take away the cheesecake from the pan. Run a knife across the edge to loosen and take away the springform pan. High with remaining ganache, caramel sauce, and sprinkle on pecans. Lower into slices and serve.

Recipe Ideas

Use the proper of Cream Cheese. I at all times use blocks of full-fat cream cheese for my cheesecake filling. Based mostly on my expertise of making completely different cheesecakes, blocks of full-fat cream cheese give a easy, silky, and creamy cheesecake. Don’t use the sort within the tub.
Use softened cream cheese. You want the cream cheese at room temperature earlier than you begin mixing components so that you get a easy filling.
Wrap the springform pan nicely. You don’t need any water from the water bathtub to leak in and damage the cheesecake and oreo crust. I prefer to wrap the edges of the pan in a number of layers of tin foil, after which wrap in a sluggish cooker liner. My favourite approach to defend the pan is to put the springform pan inside a bigger pan (I exploit a 10-inch cake pan). Learn extra right here about what’s a water bathtub?
Bake in a water bathtub. A water bathtub permits the cheesecake filling to cook dinner slowly so that you get a easy filling and no cracks within the high of the cheesecake.
Cool slowly. It is advisable to let the cheesecake cool within the oven with the warmth off and the door open. This may assist stop cracks within the high of the cheesecake.

Serving Ideas And Recipe Variations

Whipped cream for serving: I prefer to high the cheesecake with home made whipped cream. You need to use a piping bag and pipe some on high.
Make an Oreo cookie crust – You may at all times make a chocolate cookie crust. Use 35 Oreo cookies and 5 Tablespoons melted butter as a substitute.
Use sizzling fudge as a substitute. You may at all times skip the ganache and swap for sizzling fudge as a substitute for those who’re quick on time!
Make mini cheesecakes as a substitute. You need to use my mini cheesecake recipe. Swirl in some caramel sauce and sizzling fudge. Then high with extra for a straightforward mini model!

Storage Directions

Saved correctly, the cheesecake can last as long as 4-5 days within the fridge in an hermetic container.

You may as well freeze any leftover cheesecake. I prefer to freeze particular person slices will be wrapped and frozen for later enjoyment. I like to put particular person slices of cheesecake on a cookie sheet and freeze uncovered for an hour. As soon as frozen I wrap every slice in plastic wrap after which place in a freezer bag for added safety. When able to eat, thaw in a single day within the fridge, then unwrap and luxuriate in!

Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute low-fat components?

Whereas potential, utilizing full-fat cream cheese and bitter cream contributes to the most effective texture and taste. I don’t advocate utilizing fat-free components.

Do I have to line the springform pan with parchment paper?

I don’t line the pan however you’ll be able to undoubtedly can for those who like for simpler launch from the underside.

Do I’ve to bake a cheesecake in a springform pan?

Sure you wish to use a springform pan so you’ll be able to launch the cheesecake and simply slice and serve.

How can I inform when the cheesecake is completed?

You wish to do the jiggle check. This imply that the perimeters of the cheesecake must be set, however the center of the cheesecake ought to have a slight jiggle to it. It shouldn’t look moist however nonetheless jiggle. The cheesecake will proceed to agency up because it cools. Should you bake till the center is now not jiggly it’s overbaked and will crack.

Why did my cheesecake crack?

That is in all probability as a result of overbaking. Be certain to make use of a water bathtub, and do the jiggle check (defined above). And permit the cheesecake to chill correctly within the oven for an hour with the oven off after baking, after which retailer within the fridge (at the least 6 hours, ideally in a single day). And ensure your components are at room temperature so that you shouldn’t have to combine the batter for too lengthy which may end up in an excessive amount of air within the combination which may result in crack later.

Extra Recipes To Strive

Should you’re craving extra cheesecake then be sure you strive my peach cobbler cheesecake within the springtime! With recent peaches and a cinnamon sugar streusel baked proper in!

I additionally love my strawberry cheesecake recipe made with a recent strawberry topping and graham cracker crust. And you may’t go incorrect with my Oreo cheesecake!

Get My Cheesecake E-book!

Don’t neglect to seize a duplicate of my cookbook, Cheesecake For All Seasons! It’s a straightforward to obtain digital e-book with over 50 scrumptious cheesecake recipes, toppings, suggestions and tutorials so that you can grasp making cheesecake at dwelling!

For the cheesecake filling: