Gourmet Chocolate and Caramel Layered Turtle Cheesecake

Looking for a gourmet cheesecake? Try this turtle cheesecake! It's layered with caramel, chocolate ganache, and pecans throughout. No water bath required!
Recipe: sugarspunrun.com/turtle-chees...
Ingredients
Chocolate ripple
½ cup heavy cream (118ml)
4 oz chopped chocolate (112g) (see note)
Crust
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (170g)
⅓ cup finely chopped pecans (40g)
3 Tablespoons light brown sugar, firmly packed
7 Tablespoons salted butter, melted (98g)
Cheesecake Filling
24 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened (680g)
¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
¼ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed (50g)
½ cup sour cream (120g)
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature
¼ cup caramel sauce: sugarspunrun.com/how-to-make-...
Ganache, from above
Topping
⅓ cup caramel sauce: sugarspunrun.com/how-to-make-...
1 oz chopped chocolate (see note)
2 Tablespoons heavy cream
¾ cup pecans, mix of chopped and halved (90g)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from the links below.
9” springform pan (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/2TdTSbT
Mixing bowls (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/2C47vQx
Instructions
00:00 Introduction
For the crust
00:35 In a medium-sized bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and brown sugar until combined.
01:40 Add melted butter and stir until all crumbs are moistened.
02:05 Press mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9” springform pan. Set aside.
For the chocolate ripple
03:35 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 filling.
For the cheesecake
Preheat oven to 325F (165C).
04:24 In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and sugars. Beat on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and lump free.
06:13 Add sour cream and vanilla extract and stir on low speed until combined.
06:41 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.
08:43 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.
11:18 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).
11:50 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
12:05 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.
12:33 Drizzle caramel sauce and prepared ganache over cheesecake. Scatter pecans overtop.
14:10 For easy slicing, chill cheesecake in refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow toppings to set.
14:22 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.
Facebook: / sugarspunrun
Instagram: / sugarspun_sam
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[@yvettemarie9934]

I'm excited!

[@sewcrazybaker]

This looks fantastic! I need to make this!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@tww15tube]

Looks awesome! Thanks for another great one!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! Enjoy! :)

[@Dawn-MarieMiller]

Your turtle cheesecake looks amazing! I am going to have to try this one. ❤ I love the bloopers at the end 😁

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! :)

[@bbeth7092]

Delicious! This was a big hit at Bible study tonight. Thanks for another great recipe, Sam.

[@louisewarren6472]

I made the lemon cheesecake and boy it was a five star! This is my next one!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the lemon cheesecake so much! I hope you love this one just as much! :)

[@anderson8601]

By far, the most exciting cheesecake recipe I've seen...restores hope in humanity..BTW, it must be hard being Luke's mom..I can only imagine how many of his friends would like you to adopt them as your own!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

🤣 You are definitely going to love this one! :)

[@susanhammitt7080]

The dog wandering around and the children. Classic busy Mom still trying to get things done. Probably not as much of a thing not that people text insted of phone as much, but never failed I would get on the phone and a child would need immediate attention. Now I get the same issue with my cat-always misbehaving when she knows I am busy with something. So glad to get your recipes and see a bit of family life from you.

[@SugarSpunRun]

🤣 I remember the phone always ringing at the worst possible time when I was a child! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. It can get a little chaotic sometimes but I wouldn't change it for anything. :)

[@LovesDachshunds-vp4gf]

This recipe is cheesecake genius! I can't wait to make it! Thanks always for your hard work. Your videos are awesome!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! I hope you love this cheesecake! :)

[@SavoryExperimentsCooking]

Love the flavors in this delicious recipe!

[@SugarSpunRun]

They go together so well! :)

[@wandadavis3171]

Looks delicious ❤

[@Holmer188]

My all time favorite cheese cake. I am definitely making this. Thanks for sharing and protecting it.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love this one! :)

[@4shehadeh]

Yum. I will make this for sure. Thank you

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@mcnwn8]

You have the world's best assistant/taster!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! 😊😊

[@mcnwn8]

@@SugarSpunRun You're welcome!! I love your videos!!

[@sarar371]

This looks awesome!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@raquelalmestica304]

Love all your baking goods. I’ve made your brown butter chocolate chips cookies and they are YUM! 🎉🎉 Thank you

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them! :)

[@pamelamergl517]

That looks amazing 😋😋😋

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you 😋

[@francesmorgan6397]

I'm excited to try this it sounds delicious 😋😋

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love it! :)

[@annemarieantonsen9031]

Looks amazing - I will be making this cheesecake for an upcoming birthday next weekend ❤️ thanks for the recipe 🥰 Love all the way from Denmark 😉

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope everyone loves it! :)

[@francesmorgan6397]

There's lil cutie pie he's adorable 🥰🥰

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@DiaDia18]

Very nice recipie Sam! They looks amazing! Can we use almonds because i didn't like the pecans? Have a nice day and good weekend! Have a good week! 👍👏🍫🍫🍫

[@SugarSpunRun]

Almonds could work here. Enjoy! 😊

[@DiaDia18]

@@SugarSpunRun Thanks Sam! 🙂🙂🙂

[@donnawiley4712]

Hi Sam! Although I’ve been watching you for several years, I’m just now finding your channel and totally loving it! I’ve been following you because I own a small gluten free bakery in Texas and I like to take your recipes and make them fit the diets of my customers. I’d really like to start my own channel like yours because I own the only bakery using gfjules flour, which is the number 1 rated in the country right now and I think it would help our people understand how easy it is to cook gluten-free at home. I’ve seen how far you’ve come and I’d like to know if you can share with me where your journey started with KZbin. How did you start your blog, which came first, when and what type of cameras did you use? I don’t understand any of those things, but I’d love to understand from someone I’ve watched and envied for so long. Thank you! Donna!

[@shelleywenzel3544]

Just made it tonight for a party tomorrow night and my house smells so good! Can’t wait to cut into it and let you know how it goes.❤❤❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope everyone loves it! 😊

[@abdulahmed-hg9cx]

This looks really nice cheesecake 😋💛

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you 😋

[@abdulahmed-hg9cx]

@@SugarSpunRun you’re welcome 😇

[@user-uz4ol9sb2q]

Hi Sam how are you I’m Laura I love this recipe I’m going to make this❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

I'm doing well. I hope you love it! :)

[@bigdog51]

You are a sweet little sugar spun and I love your channel.

[@mmakomanyatja5213]

Super good Sam thank you very much bless to your family 9out

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! :)

[@angieroberts1]

This looks so good! New to this channel. Could you do a butter pecan cheesecake? I'd love to see your spin on it

[@SugarSpunRun]

Oh that's a good idea! It's something to add to my list. :)

[@DH-qz2so]

Love your channel and recipes...would you be able to do a Series on Cakes/Desserts for 4 people? ie. Using ONE brick of creamcheese... squares in small 8 x 8 pans... dessert for us empty nesters to make when having Canasta night with one other couple? I find I make dessert for us 4...then have 3/4 of a springform or bundt pan cake left...and it is too much to have for leftover! thanks!

[@nicole6390]

Just made one as a trial, good thing I did a trial - I forgot the Vanilla 🤦‍♀️🤣. We are still going to try it, maybe the brown sugar, ganache and caramel will cover some of what its lacking 😅

[@nicole6390]

Tastes amazing even without the vanilla 😅

[@TRXFRMR41-th7vd]

The stand mixer is also electric the one in your hand is most times called a hand mixer. Most mixers are electric there are some hand crank mixers that are manually operated.

[@tammibeyer7225]

Any recommendations for the candy thermometer ❤

[@SugarSpunRun]

Here is an affiliate link for the one I use. :) amzn.to/46rdvP0

[@tammibeyer7225]

Thank you very much 😊 the cheesecake looks so amazing 😍❤️💕

[@tammibeyer7225]

Just got it ordered 🤩🤩

[@sonyabarkwell6077]

Sam looks amazing!Can I make this in a Muffinpan?

[@SugarSpunRun]

I think that could probably work. :)

[@richelroldan7438]

Starting to learn how to bake? How did you crust your graham

[@WeepingWillow422]

🤤🤤😋😋

[@barbs.7367]

Hello stand mixer , I miss you 🥰

[@coldcountess]

I would love turtle cheesecake, if I didn't HATE the taste of pecans !

[@ruthstellatella242]

Must you use all the sugar you do? Does it change the consistency of the filling? I cook for a diabetic and that is a lot of sugar in a recipe for him.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I would recommend my regular cheesecake instead. It has less sugar to it. You really need all of the sugar for the filling. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWLJhYSVasl1rZIsi=c-LygrAG_-zy1Bbo

[@DH-qz2so]

could you do a series on Keto desserts?@@SugarSpunRun

[@graceglaros]

Can you do a video on how to make caramel apples? Also I’m wondering if you can make caramel apples with apples you picked, can you

[@SugarSpunRun]

I have added it to my list, but unfortunately I don't think I will be able to get there this year. :(

[@graceglaros]

@@SugarSpunRun that’s okay, I’m just trying to figure out if you can use apples you picked for Carmel apples

[@kashifkhawaja3205]

Thank you for sharing this amazing cake recipe it's really easy and it tastes really so good and delicious. You are a very intelligent very cute very talented very sweet very special innocent face pretty lady and your recipes are the best among all the best. Your wonderful God-given personality reveals your most valuable talents. You are the best of all the best may God bless you with the best. Be happy ❤

[@bigredpacheco-RedDawg]

Looks fuckin💣🔥🔥🤤💯

[@renatajoseph6399]

Tiramisu cheesecake next

[@mmakomanyatja5213]

Sorry about that 9out I was taping yoo fast do sorry Sam.

[@jasonbice4815]

Looks Delicious

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you 😋