Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

Home » Desserts » Turtle Cheesecake

posted by Christy Denneyon Jul 11, 2020 (updated Nov 2, 2022) 21 comments »

Jump to Recipe

This Turtle Cheesecake is so creamy and topped caramel, nuts, and chocolate chips. This dessert is easy and impressive. Always a crowd favorite!

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (1)

TURTLE CHEESECAKE

I have been on a streak of recipe flops. I’m trying not to feel defeated so…I went back to my tried and true Turtle Cheesecake recipe. This is the first cheesecake recipe I ever made back in college.

I didn’t realize what a good recipe it was until I tried other cheesecake recipes. They always turned out dry and flavorless. This is sweet, moist, and has the best texture. If you are going for the WOW factor, here is your recipe.

It’s creamy, rich and no-fail. The lime juice may seem a little strange but trust me it works! It isn’t really even detectable but gives it a bright flavor that cuts the sweetness.

People are always so amazed that I actually made this cheesecake and it’s not store bought. It looks like it could be from the Cheesecake Factory!

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2)

The hardest part of this recipe is layering the chocolate and vanilla batter. It’s not even that hard! The batter eventually settles into layers and really however you layer it, it’s delicious.

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (3)

You are going to be tempted to drown this in chocolate syrup and caramel. It really is plenty sweet on its own and does not need a lot more to make it delicious. Of course, these toppings do look really pretty and give it that professional look.

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (4)

CAN I FREEZE THIS CHEESECAKE?

Yes! Cheesecakes freeze beautifully. You can freeze this up to three months. It’s best to freeze it without the toppings. Thaw in the fridge, add the toppings, and serve.

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (5)

OTHER CHEESECAKE RECIPES

  • Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
  • Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
  • Sopapilla Cheesecake
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
  • Carrot Cake Cheesecake
  • Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (6)

Turtle Cheesecake

4.17 from 6 votes

This Turtle Cheesecake is so creamy and topped caramel, nuts, and chocolate chips.

PrintPinRate

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (14 ounce can) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips, (you can use semi-sweet morsels if you want it less sweet)
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
  • 2 tablespoons caramel syrup or ice cream topping
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease 9-inch springform pan.

  • Combine crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of prepared pan.

  • BEAT cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in large mixer bowl until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lime juice and vanilla extract; beat until combined.

  • Remove 1 cup of filling and set aside. Melt chocolate chips about 1 minute, (just until melted) and mix completely into the 1-cup reserved filling to make your chocolate filling.

  • Pour 1/2 of the white filling into crust, then the chocolate filling, then the last 1/2 of the white. Take knife and gently swirl.

  • BAKE for 60-75 minutes or until edge is set and center moves slightly. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes; run knife around edge of cheesecake. Cool completely. Drizzle chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over cheesecake. Sprinkle with pecans and mini morsels. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of pan. Slice to serve.

Notes

Source: adapted from Allrecipes

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Christy Denney

All Desserts All Recipes Cheesecake Chocolate Desserts Holiday Recipes Valentines

originally published on Jul 11, 2020 (last updated Nov 2, 2022)

21 comments Leave a comment »

100 of my favorite recipes! This is the family-friendly cookbook for anyone looking to plan quick-and-easy meals and wants a way to bring people together, feasting on food which can only be described as scrumptious.

stay connected get new recipes via email:

« Previous Post No-Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Next Post » Pepperoni Pizza Twist

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

21 comments on “Turtle Cheesecake”

  1. Mary Kathryn Reply

    This recipe was REALLY easy to follow and I have already made 2 for friends and family. Everyone says it is absolutely delicious! I am thinking about using this recipe and mixing up the toppings on it for different cheesecakes. Thank you for easy step by step instructions! I cooked mine for 60 minutes and let it cool for half an hour and it turned out perfect!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you! That makes me happy!

  2. jod Reply

    Amazing.You are always an inspiration. you always make a blast on your blog with new posts!
    https://www.clearpathortho.com/

  3. Margaret Reply

    I’m sorry – I have one more question 🙂 Why would you use 3 tablespoons of lime juice in a turtle cheesecake?

    Thanks again!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I know it sounds weird but it makes the cheesecake.

  4. Margaret Reply

    Hi there! I was looking for a good turtle cheesecake recipe and came across yours. I have a question, though. You say to remove 1 cup of the filling and set it aside. Then pour half of the filling in to the pan, followed by the chocolate and then the other half of the filling. What happens to the 1 cup of filling we are supposed to set aside?

    Thanks for getting back to me!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      You combine the 1 cup of filling with the melted chocolate chips which makes your chocolate filling. Then in the next step you alternate adding the white filling with the chocolate filling to make a marbled effect like the instructions state.

  5. Meredith Raber Reply

    Made this except I used regular graham crackers and lemon juice instead of lime. I cooked it for exactly 1 hr 15 minutes and the bottom crust burnt on about half the cake. The rest of the cake was perfect. Luckily the flavor didn’t transfer to the rest of the cake and it was creamy and moist and really really good. Next time I’m only cooking for 60 minutes.

  6. katie Reply

    I made this twice last year and it really is amazing!! I’ve never had a better cheesecake!! I’m thinking I will make it again this week! 🙂

  7. southerngirl2012 Reply

    What is the reasoning behind using sweetened condensed milk vs. sugar? Just curious as i have always made cheesecake with sugar and never with SCM before.

    Thanks! 🙂

    • Christy Reply

      I’m not sure. I got the recipe from a friend. I don’t try to mess with it because it’s fabulous.

  8. Erin Reply

    Would it be ok to use crushed oreos instead of the chocolate graham crackers?

    • Christy Reply

      Yes, absolutely!

  9. Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

    @niesekay,
    You need a 9 inch springform pan so that it’s easier to remove and cut.

  10. niesekay Reply

    Can you use any kind of pan or do you need a certain kind?

    • Amy Reply

      I’ve made cheesecake in a cake pan. It works, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The springform pan really makes it so much easier to get out of the pan. It’s definitely worth the investment to get one, even if you don’t use it often. If you plan to do a lot of cooking – especially if you ever want to try a souffle, you should also find at least one souffle pan. They can be hard to find, but definitely worth the search.

  11. Kelly Brown Reply

    So I love your recipes! You are so talented! This was my first cheesecake I have ever made and it was……PERFECT, AMAZING AND SPECTACULAR! Thank you soooo much! I am going to post it on my blog! I am beyond excited at how simple this was and that turned out great first try! Love it!! My husband loved it tons too! He is a big cheesecake fan!

  12. Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

    Three packages of 8 ounce cream cheese! Sorry if it was confusing. -christy

  13. Joyce :) Reply

    When you say 3 (8 ounce) packages. Does it mean, 3 8 ounce packages or 3 packages which is 8 ounce of cream cheese? Thank you in advance! This looks super delicious! :9

  14. Tartelette Reply

    Wow… just wow!! Oh and “gimme gimme gimme!” Looks outstanding 🙂

  15. gsugar Reply

    I want to make this! I am sure it is fat free?….

Leave a comment »

Turtle Cheesecake Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

FAQs

What is turtle cheesecake made of? ›

The cheesecake starts with an Oreo cookie crust that is covered in caramel sauce, then a layer of creamy cheesecake. Once cooled, it is sprinkled with toasted pecans and drizzled with both caramel and chocolate.

What is the history of turtle cheesecake? ›

New York-style cheesecake then rose to prominence in the late 1920s using the spreadable cream cheese. This cheesecake, using caramel, chocolate, and nuts, is named after Turtles, a confection developed in the United States by Johnson's Candy Company in 1918, so named because the shape of the treat resembles a turtle.

Is a water bath necessary for cheesecake? ›

You can absolutely make a cheesecake without a traditional water bath. The traditional water bath provides two elements: a steamy, humid oven environment that prevents your cheesecake from drying out on top and insulation for protecting the cheesecake from drastic temperature changes.

How long does cheesecake last refrigerated? ›

“Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, and goat cheese must be refrigerated for safety,” according to the USDA. And, according to the USDA FoodKeeper chart, cheesecake should be consumed within five to seven days after baking—or opening a pre-bought cheesecake.

Why do they call it turtle cheesecake? ›

Because they actually looked like turtles with a large, chocolate covered shell. We're all about tradition, so we created the same treat, only in cheesecake form.

What is the turtle flavor? ›

Three ingredients that can perk up any palate or day, Turtles ® clusters are bursting with crunchy pecans, creamy caramel, and all wrapped up in luscious chocolate. The taste of the original caramel nut cluster is made to delight.

What is the oldest cheesecake? ›

Over 4,000 years ago in the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the earliest known cheesecake. This rudimentary cheesecake was made with patties of fresh cheese that were then pounded smooth with flour and honey.

What does turtle mean in dessert? ›

The turtle pie got its name due to the caramel, chocolate and pecans that are used to top the pies, which are said to have a similarity in flavor to that of DeMet's Turtles, which use similar ingredients. The pie usually has a cookie crumb crust and is often made with a custard, mousse or a cheesecake filling.

Which baking method is best for cheesecake? ›

The Traditional Method: Bake at moderate to low heat (300–325°F) until the edges are set, but the center is still jiggly. Cool on the counter with an inverted bowl. The New York Method: The cake goes into the oven at 500°F for 15 minutes (min.) and then the temperature is reduced to 200°F for one hour.

Why do my cheesecakes crack? ›

Avoid opening the oven door while the cheesecake is baking inside. Big cracks are often caused by drafts and temperature changes. Avoid overbaking! This is the most common culprit of cracking.

How do you keep a cheesecake from cracking on the top? ›

Baking in a water bath is simply adding a pan of hot water to the oven while baking foods like cheesecakes that are prone to cracking from the heat of the oven. A water bath adds moisture to the oven which helps the cheesecake bake evenly without the outside getting overcooked.

Can I eat 2 week old cheesecake? ›

Eggs and milk have high protein and moisture content, and they're the primary ingredients in cheesecake, so when cheesecake is left at room temperature, conditions are ripe for bacteria to multiply. According to the USDA's Food Keeper App, cheesecake should be consumed within 5 to 7 days of refrigeration.

Is it safe to eat cheesecake that was left out overnight? ›

Leaving cheesecake out overnight is not recommended, as it can lead to food safety concerns. It should be refrigerated within 2 hours of serving to prevent spoilage and maintain its freshness.

Can you eat 5 day old cheesecake? ›

Cheesecake is generally best if eaten within 4-5 days of making it, but it can vary a little based on what's in the cheesecake. For example, a cheesecake with fruit in it or on it as a topping may spoil more quickly due to the fruit spoiling.

What are Nestle Turtles made of? ›

Ingredients. Milk Chocolate (Sugar; Modified Milk Ingredients; Cocoa Butter; Cocoa Mass; Soy Lecithin; Natural Vanilla Flavour; Salt); Caramel (Glucose; Sugar; Modified Milk Ingredients; Water; Modified Palm Oil; Salt; Natural Vanilla Flavour); Pecans. May contain peanuts and other tree nuts.

What is Turtle ice cream made of? ›

A chocolate cookie crust, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, caramel and pecans make up this incredible Turtle Ice Cream Dessert! It's super easy to make and is the perfect treat to cool down with!

Why do they call the dessert a turtle? ›

A turtle pie is a dessert pie, originating in the United States. The turtle pie got its name due to the caramel, chocolate and pecans that are used to top the pies, which are said to have a similarity in flavor to that of DeMet's Turtles, which use similar ingredients.

What is in turtle cheesecake ice cream? ›

MILK, CREAM, CANE SYRUP, CHEESECAKE BASE (CORN SYRUP, WATER, NATURAL FLAVOR, DEHYDRATED BAKER'S CHEESE [NONFAT DRY MILK, LACTIC ACID, CULTURES], BUTTERMILK POWDER, SUGAR), SALTY CARAMEL (CORN SYRUP, SWEETENED CONDENSED WHOLE MILK,[MILK, SUGAR], HEAVY CREAM[MILK], WATER, BUTTER[CREAM(MILK), SALT], SEA SALT, SOY LECITHIN ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5881

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.