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Turtle Cake

June 16, 2012 by pictureperfectcooking

Anyone who reads this blog with any regularity knows that I LOVE chocolate and I think caramel is pretty tasty, too.  My MIL subscribes to a magazine called “Midwest Living”, which is a lot like Southern Living just about the Midwest.  This awesome looking cake was featured in one of these books and I knew I had to make it as soon as possible. 

I think I have found my new favorite cake recipe because this is one of the best things that I have ever put in my mouth.  I am not a coffee fan.  Love the smell, hate the taste, so I have never been brave enough to try a chocolate cake recipe with brewed coffee as an ingredient.  Coffee is included in this cake and now I know why so many recipes to include it.  There wasn’t a strong coffee flavor, and the cake was so moist from it.  This would make an awesome birthday cake or even a groom’s cake.  It is that good!

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (see note)

2/3 cup cooking oil

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder + a little extra for dusting the pans

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Chocolate Frosting (see recipe)

1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted

3/4 cup purchased caramel ice cream topping

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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare three 9” cake pans by spraying with non-stick spray and dusting with extra cocoa powder.  Then line them with wax paper circle.  In a small bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk and cooking oil.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, beating with an electric mixer until combined. Gradually beat in hot coffee. Pour batter into prepared pans; spread evenly. Layers will appear thin.

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Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool for about 10 minutes in the pans then turn the cake layers out of the pans to cool completely.

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Chocolate Frosting

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

6 tablespoons butter

12 ounce package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate pieces

1 – 2 teaspoons freshly brewed hot coffee

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and milk. Add butter. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add semisweet chocolate pieces. Using a wire whisk, mix until smooth. If frosting is too thick or grainy, stir in coffee.

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Now here comes the fun part…

Place 1 cake layer, top-side down, onto a serving plate. Using an icing spatula or wide knife, frost the top of this layer with one-third of the frosting, pushing it out slightly from edges to make ripple or petal effect. Arrange one-third of the pecans on top and drizzle with 1/4 cup of the ice cream topping. Top with the second layer, top-side down. Repeat with frosting, pecans and caramel topping. Top with the third layer, right side up. Repeat with remaining frosting, pecans and caramel topping.  Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

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Just look at all that decadence.  Mmmmm…wish I had a piece right now.

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Posted in Cooking | Tagged Baking, Cake, Caramel, Chocolate, Cooking, Midwest Living Magazine, Turtle Cake | 18 Comments

18 Responses

  1. on June 16, 2012 at 6:19 am thehungrymum

    ooohhh, incredible. Looks so gooey & yum!


    • on June 16, 2012 at 8:12 am pictureperfectcooking

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. If you have a chocoholic in your life, they would be forever grateful if you make this for them! 🙂


  2. on June 16, 2012 at 12:59 pm Betsy

    Wow…I love everything about this recipe from the buttermilk to the coffee in the batter. Love turtle anything…bookmarking this one! thanks so much!


    • on June 16, 2012 at 1:14 pm pictureperfectcooking

      Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!


  3. on June 16, 2012 at 7:38 pm Erin @ Making Memories

    OH MY GOSH! Absolutely amazing!!!


    • on June 16, 2012 at 8:33 pm pictureperfectcooking

      THANKS! I was really pleased with how it turned out.


  4. on June 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm Jenn

    Yummm…Looks wonderfully rich and delicious!


    • on June 17, 2012 at 8:55 pm pictureperfectcooking

      Thanks! It was very RICH, but worth every calorie.


  5. on June 20, 2012 at 8:20 am Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    That is a stunning cake! And my mouth is watering!


    • on June 20, 2012 at 9:23 am pictureperfectcooking

      Thanks! It has quickly became my favorite cake.


  6. on June 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm Miz Helen

    What a beautiful cake that looks delicious, we are going to love this cake! Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen


  7. on June 22, 2012 at 8:42 am Wende

    Looks very yummy!


    • on June 22, 2012 at 10:50 am pictureperfectcooking

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Please visit again.


  8. on December 1, 2012 at 6:00 am Weekend Links - Eat at Home

    […] for a special cake to make for a holiday dinner?  This Turtle Cake from Picture Perfect Cooking will make everyone […]


  9. on November 26, 2013 at 7:01 am Thanksgiving Tuesday | Picture Perfect Cooking

    […] Turtle cake: […]


  10. on February 15, 2014 at 10:38 am dianeroark

    My favorite is turtle cake!! I just love chocolate with the pecans. Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up at Saturday Dishes ‘CHOCOLATE” Blog Hop. I pinned it.
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark
    http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com


  11. on March 1, 2014 at 7:28 am Featured Cakes This Week | Recipes For Our Daily Bread

    […] Turtle Cake by Picture Perfect Cooking […]


  12. on November 23, 2015 at 8:29 am Favorite Holiday Recipes | Out Standing In My Field

    […] Turtle Cake […]



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