Looking for a gourmet cheesecake? Try this turtle cheesecake! It’s layered with caramel, chocolate ganache, and pecans throughout. No water bath required! Recipe includes a how-to video!
A Gourmet Cheesecake Recipe
A close cousin to my salted caramel cheesecake, this decadent turtle cheesecake is *the* dessert to make if you are trying to impress dinner guests. It’s gorgeous, it’s rich, and it’s most definitely impressive.
Why you’ll love my recipe:
- Captures all the elements of classic Turtle candies: pecan infused crust, thick ripple of chocolate and caramel throughout, and of course more caramel, chocolate, and pecans on top.
- No water bath required! Like all of my cheesecake recipes (I have more than 30 now!), this turtle cheesecake is made WITHOUT a water bath. Don’t worry though, I include lots of tips for preventing cracks!
- Can be made a few days in advance and also freezes well!
- The perfect way to cap off an evening, especially after enjoying something equally gourmet like garlic butter shrimp or beef ragu.
This recipe is so much fun despite being a bit messy and involved. The end result is 100% worth the effort though, and I can’t wait for you to try it 🤩
What You Need
Despite being an elaborate and gourmet dessert, this turtle cheesecake requires just 12 ingredients. That’s not too bad, considering my turtle cookies require the same amount!
- Cream cheese. You must use full-fat, block-style cream cheese for this recipe. Low-fat or spreadable cream cheese will prevent your turtle cheesecake from setting up properly.
- Sour cream. I love adding sour cream to my cheesecakes; it adds depth of flavor and that signature cheesecake tang.
- Brown sugar. We’ll add light brown sugar to the crust (which I always do with my graham cracker crust), and we’ll also add a bit to the cheesecake itself. This adds a subtle flavor that goes SO well with the caramel and pecans!
- Caramel Sauce. You can use store bought caramel sauce (usually sold with the ice cream toppings) or use my homemade caramel sauce, which is what I prefer. You’ll dirty a few more bowls if you make the caramel from scratch, but it’s so worth it!
- Chocolate. While you could use chocolate chips, I prefer to make my chocolate ganache with couverture chocolate or a chopped baking bar. I like to use semisweet or dark chocolate to cut the richness of the caramel; milk chocolate would likely be too sweet.
SAM’S TIP: Toast your pecans! It’s easy to do and really enhances their flavor. Need a quick tutorial? Check out my post on how to toast pecans.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
Tips for Preventing Cracks
Cracks aren’t too much of a concern here, since we will be covering the top of our turtle cheesecake; however, the perfectionist in me (and many of you!) can’t help but want a smooth, crack-free surface. Here’s how to achieve that!
- Press the crust high up the sides of the pan. This is the #1 tip I can give you! Doing this will allow your crust to shrink with the cheesecake as it cools, which is a very common reason for cracks.
- Use room temperature ingredients. This will allow your ingredients to combine more easily and prevent over-mixing.
- Do not over-mix. Over-mixing can cause your cheesecake to puff up during baking, then shrink (and crack) while it cools.
- Go easy on the eggs. Mixing the eggs too much can cause a curdled, eggy tasting cheesecake that puffs in the oven and sinks in on itself. To prevent this, lightly mix each egg before adding it, add the eggs one at a time, and mix until just combined after each addition.
- Cool slowly. Turn off your oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake remain inside for 1 hour. This will slow down the cooling process instead of immediately bringing the hot cheesecake out into the room temperature air.
These are all tricks that I use in every single one of my cheesecakes and you can use them for any cheesecake you bake.
How to Make Turtle Cheesecake
Chocolate Ripple
- Microwave the heavy cream and chocolate for 25 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 25 seconds.
- Whisk together until smooth, then set aside to cool.
Crust
- Stir together the graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, and brown sugar until combined, then add the melted butter and stir until everything is moistened.
- Firmly press the crust mixture into the bottom and high up the sides of a 9″ springform pan, then set aside.
Filling
- Beat the cream cheese and sugars together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla on low speed until combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, lightly beating each egg before adding and mixing until just combined after each addition.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is combined, then pour ⅓ of the batter in your prepared crust.
- Drizzling half of the caramel sauce over top, then repeat with half of the chocolate ripple.
- Pour half of the remaining cheesecake batter evenly overtop.
- Drizzle the remaining caramel and chocolate over that cheesecake layer.
- Add the last layer of cheesecake batter and smooth the top with a spatula. Place in a 325F (165C) oven and bake for 50-55 minutes.
Cooling & Decorating
- Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours.
- Drizzle caramel sauce and ganache over the top of the cooled cheesecake, then scatter pecans evenly overtop. Let the cheesecake chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before slicing
SAM’S TIP: Run your knife under hot water, dry it off, and then slice! Do this between each cut and you will have gorgeous cheesecake slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve ever had turtle candy (a pecan/caramel/chocolate nut cluster) then you know it looks a bit like a turtle. This turtle cheesecake mimics all the flavors of that candy, hence the name!
You could try making this turtle cheesecake with gluten free graham crackers, but I haven’t had much luck with them in the past. If you are successful, I’d love to know what brand you use!
I recommend using the crust from my Oreo cheesecake instead of my traditional Oreo crust; the cheesecake version removes the Oreo cream from the cookies to prevent it from leaking out of your springform pan while baking.
Want to try another gourmet cheesecake? Try my blueberry cheesecake or peppermint bark cheesecake!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Turtle Cheesecake
Ingredients
Chocolate ripple
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- 2 oz (57 g) chopped chocolate see note
Crust
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup (40 g) finely chopped pecans
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar firmly packed
- 7 Tablespoons (98 g) salted butter melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz (680 g) full-fat cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- Ganache from above
Topping
- ⅓ cup caramel sauce
- 1 oz chopped chocolate see note
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- ¾ cup (90 g) pecans mix of chopped and halved
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
For the chocolate ripple
- Prepare chocolate ripple first (so it has time to cool) by combining heavy cream and chocolate in a medium-sized microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 25 seconds. Stir well and return to microwave for another 25 seconds. Whisk until smooth and set aside while you prepare the crust and filling.¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, 2 oz (57 g) chopped chocolate
For the crust
- In a medium-sized bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and brown sugar until combined.1 ½ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup (40 g) finely chopped pecans, 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- Add melted butter and stir until all crumbs are moistened.7 Tablespoons (98 g) salted butter
- Press mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9” springform pan. Set aside.
For the cheesecake
- Preheat oven to 325F (165C).
- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and sugars. Beat on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and lump free.24 oz (680 g) full-fat cream cheese, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
- Add sour cream and vanilla extract and stir on low speed until combined.½ cup (120 g) sour cream, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate dish, lightly beat one egg. Add to the cheesecake batter, stirring briefly on low speed until just combined. Repeat with remaining eggs, and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.3 large eggs
- Pour approximately a third of the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. Drizzle half of caramel sauce over cheesecake layer followed by half of the chocolate ripple (this will not cover all of the cheesecake batter, this is fine). Pour another third of the cheesecake batter evenly overtop. Drizzle remaining half of caramel sauce over cheesecake, followed by remaining half of chocolate ripple. Top with the remaining cheesecake batter.¼ cup caramel sauce, Ganache
- Place the pan on the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the cheesecake is almost set (center will be jiggly and edges should be set and may puff slightly).
- Remove from oven and cool until almost room temperature (alternatively, to help reduce risk of cracks, turn off oven, crack the door, and allow it to sit for 1 hour). Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight before topping and serving.
Topping
- Once cheesecake is chilled, prepare your toppings. Make ganache by combining chocolate and heavy cream in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 25 seconds and stir well. If not yet smooth, microwave again and whisk until smooth. Set aside.1 oz chopped chocolate, 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- Drizzle caramel sauce and prepared ganache over cheesecake. Scatter pecans overtop.⅓ cup caramel sauce, ¾ cup (90 g) pecans
- For easy slicing, chill cheesecake in refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow toppings to set.
- Once cheesecake has chilled completely, remove springform ring, slice and serve.
Notes
Chocolate for Ripple & Topping
I prefer to use semisweet or dark chocolate. You may use a chopped baking bar or use couverture chocolate. Chocolate chips are not my preference but will work in a pinch.Storing
Return ring to pan and cover with foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cheesecake may also be tightly wrapped and frozen.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
April Lay Hubbard
Amazing ! I love how perfect it turned out and my family adored it!
Sam
I’m so glad it was such a hit, April! 🙂
Diana
I’ve only made a handful of cheesecakes in my life and this by far is the best! I’ve now made it twice in the same week
Erin
Do you think this could be made into small cheesecakes (in a muffin tin) instead of a large one? If so how long would you suggest to bake? Thanks
Sam
Hi Erin! It would be quite tedious, but I suppose it is possible. 🙂
Jessica Nichol
Could this be made without pecans? There is a nut allergy in our family but I have a request for turtle cheesecake.
Sam
Hi Jessica! You can omit the pecans. 🙂
Grandma Loves to Bake
Absolutely delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper. My granddaughter and son-in-law couldn’t wait to dig in and had seconds. Love it!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Mrs. Sandra Dunegan
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a huge success! This is now my go to dessert for any special occasion.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Kevin
Sam,
Would it be ok if I bake the crust for 10 min just to firm it up. It looked to flaky otherwise
thanks
Sam
Hi Kevin! You could bake the crust a little bit longer. The nature of the graham cracker crust will be that it will be firm but slightly crumbly.
Kim
I made this cheesecake for the first time 2 weeks ago and have already been asked to make it again for THREE upcoming events! I’ve been making cheesecakes for special events for several years, but this is the most GORGEOUS, thick, and YUMMY recipe and I will never go back to my original! Bless you for sharing! ❤️
Sam
I’m so glad it was such a hit, Kim! There’s no better compliment than being asked to make it again. 🙂
Jewels
I’ve made many types of cheesecake, but when I asked my man what his fave was and he said Turtle, I checked out several different t.c, recipes. Decided on this one ’cause a water bath is an annoying step for me. Plus, I love the sour cream addition so…this was one of the most delicious cheesecakes I’ve ever made!! We couldn’t stop raving about it! I toasted the pecans for the topping, and even watched the YouTube video beforehand which is always super helpful even if your a seasoned cheesecake baker. Anyway, this is 5 stars and is going on my Pinterest board. 🙂
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Margit
I need to make a 10-in cheesecake is there anything I have to do differently
Sam
Hi Margit! Your cheesecake will be a bit thinner so you’ll need to adjust bake time. 🙂
Roe
Can I substitute the pecans with peanuts to make this almost like a snickers cheesecake? I don’t really like pecans that much.
Sam
While it’s not a traditional turtle flavor, if that is what you prefer, it will work just fine. 🙂
Mavis
SO delicious!!!!! Sam, every recipe I have made from you has been perfect!! Thank you for all of these amazing recipes!!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Mavis! 🙂
Jols
I love how clearly you list out the steps and ingredients throughout your recipe with step by steps . Thank you! This is my first time following a recipe to do a cheesecake and it was very easy ! Just took out of the oven to cool and I’m so excited . Made this gluten free by using partake graham crackers !!! My guest tomorrow is gluten free ! I’m so excited about this dessert !
Sam
I hope everyone loves it! 🙂
Jody
If I wanted to make a smaller version of this in a 6 inch pan instead of 9 inch, would i halve all the ingredients? Also, how long would a 6 inch bake for?
thanks.
Sam
Hi Jody! Unfortunately I have not made this in a 6″ springform pan so I can’t say for sure how you would need to alter the recipe or how long to bake it. 🙁
Kevin Looker
Bake until the internal temp reaches 150. That’s always best.
Nina
Just made this for thanksgiving… Entire family was obsessed!! Tasted better than store bought, couldn’t keep anyone away from second rounds.
Sam
Love to hear this, Nina! Thank you so much for trying my recipe, and happy Thanksgiving!
Jane Mac Innis
So happy I found your blog! Loving your recipes! Will definitely try this Turtle Cheese Cake.
Sam
I hope you love it, Jane! 🙂
Randy L. Fritz
I made this cheesecake last for a dinner group. I love baking homemade desserts and trying new recipes. I think it will taste great. I almost forgot to add the vanilla, I just added about 1/4 teaspoon to what was poured into the pan and used a toothpick to stir it in. I liked the idea of layering the caramel, chocolate ripple between the 2 layers. I will post how it tasted.
Sam
I hope everyone loves it! 🙂