Turtle Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
• Mix cake mix according to package directions. Pour a little less than half of the batter into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) remove from oven.
• Melt caramels, margarine, and milk in the microwave on high (takes about 10 minutes), stirring a couple times. Or alternately melt in a sauce pan over medium low heat. Pour melted caramel mixture over cake, sprinkle with pecans, and chocolate chips, and pour remaining cake batter over the top.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 35 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350*.
• Line 13x9 pan with foil and lightly grease the foil.
• In small saucepan, slowly heat caramels and milk stirring until melted.
• Prepare cake.
• Beat on low 1 minute, add butter, beat on hi 2 minutes.
• Spread 1/2 the batter in pan.
• Bake for 13 minutes.
• Pour caramel mix over cake; spread to edges.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup choc chips and 1 cup pecans.
• Spoon remaining batter over; spread to edges.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until cake puffs up around the sides of pan and springs back when touched.
• Set the cake on a wire rack to cool.
• Melt remaining choc chips; spread over cooled cake; sprinkle with remaining pecans.

Steps:

• For the candied pecans: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Whisk the sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white and water together until frothy. Toss the pecans in the egg white mixture, then add the sugar mixture and toss until the pecans are evenly coated. Spread the coated pecans on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until the pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut two 8-inch parchment circles and use to line the bottoms of two 8-inch cake pans.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the four, white sugar, black and Dutch-process cocoa powders, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the buttermilk, brown sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Whisk in the hot coffee until completely incorporated--the batter will be quite thin.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then slide an offset spatula around the edge of the pans and flip out the cakes. Cool on a rack for another 30 minutes.
• For the buttercream: Combine the egg whites and powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 5 minutes. (This helps dissolve all the sugar and prevents that grainy texture you often get with American buttercreams.) You will now have what looks like a really runny royal icing. Make sure your butter is soft. Set the mixer to medium and gradually add the butter, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Add the vanilla extract. Beat for 10 minutes on medium. Swirl in the butterscotch caramel.
• For the ganache: Heat the cream in a microwave just until boiling, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the cream over the chocolate and allow to sit for 1 minute. Stir until the ganache is silky smooth--it look a bit curdled at first but will eventually come together. Leave the ganache on the counter to cool until it has reached the consistency of peanut butter. At this point it is ready to be used to frost the outside of the cake. (Makes 2 cups.)
• To assemble the cake: Remove the parchment paper from the bottoms of cakes. Split the cakes in half horizontally with a serrated knife (to make four layers). Place one layer on a serving platter. Spread a generous 3/4 cup buttercream over the layer to within 1/2 inch of the edge. Sprinkle 3 to 4 tablespoons candied pecans over the buttercream. Place a second cake layer over the first and repeat witht the buttercream and pecans. Continue with a third layer. Top the cake with the final layer and gently frost the outside with ganache.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour a 13 x 9 inch pan.
• Pour half of the prepared cake mix into the pan.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• In the meantime, place unwrapped caramels in a saucepan.
• Add 1/2 cup evaporated milk.
• Heat on low, stirring until caramels have melted.
• Remove cake from oven and pour melted caramel mixture on top of the cake.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans and chocolate chips on top of caramel layer.
• Press down lightly.
• Pour remaining half of prepared cake mix on top of the filling layer.
• Bake an additional 30 minutes.
• After removing cake from the oven, let the cake cool slightly (approx. 5- 10 minutes).
• Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake.
• This is an important step- otherwise you'll have a tough time removing the pieces later!
• Store at room temperature.
• Note: Please see your cake mix box for exact amounts of vegetable oil, water and eggs.

Steps:

• Mix cake as directed on package.
• Add in 1/2 cup eagle brand milk.
• Pour 1/2 of batter in a 13X9 pan and bake 10 minutes at 350*.
• Let cool 5 minutes.
• While cake is baking, melt caramels, butter and remainder of milk in double boiler.
• Pour over cool cake and sprinkle with chips and nuts.
• Pour remainder of batter over caramel, bake 25-30 minutes 350F degrees.

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the mixture is nice and foamy. Strain into a highball glass over ice.
• Serving suggestion: Garnish with chocolate shavings and frozen chocolate candies.

Steps:

• For the tails: Place the small green gumdrops on the work surface standing upright. Cut each gumdrop in half by cutting straight down with a sharp knife.
• To assemble: Frost each cupcake with about 2 tablespoons buttercream. Place the green sanding sugar in a small bowl. Invert each cupcake into the sugar and press gently to adhere.
• Stick a green jelly bean straight into the frosting for the head. Using a #2 round piping tip, pipe on 2 buttercream eyes. Then dip a toothpick into the black or brown food coloring gel and create the pupils for the eyes. Push the flippers into the edges of the cupcake frosting. Attach a half gumdrop tail between the back legs. Pipe a little frosting onto 7 green and 7 brown candies before gently pressing them into the frosting on the "back" of each turtle to make the shell. Repeat steps for all cupcakes.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of two 8-inch round aluminum cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, oil, 8 ounces water, buttermilk, vanilla, sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk by hand until completely smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and whisk once more to ensure no lumps.
• Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cakes are firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes.
• For the meringue frosting: Mix the sugar with about 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, whip the egg whites in a stand mixer until they just reach medium peaks. Adjust to low speed and leave running.
• Continue cooking the sugar until it reaches the soft-boil stage--the bubbles on the surface will start to pop more often but the sugar should not change color and caramelize.
• Adjust the mixer to high speed and slowly pour the cooked sugar into the whipped egg whites. Gradually add the butter, whipping until smooth. (Makes 28 ounces.)
• For the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a saucepan, and then stir in the chocolate and cayenne. (Makes 3/4 cup.)
• For the turtle filling: Combine the sugar in a large saucepot and mix with just enough water until it resembles wet sand. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture begins to caramelize.
• Allow the sugar to cook until it reaches a dark brown color. As soon as it JUST starts to smoke, remove from the heat and immediately add the cream, CAREFUL, the mixture will boil and bubble and is very hot. Once all the cream is added, whisk the mixture and then add the butter, whisking until fully incorporated.
• Toast the pecans in a 425-degree oven for 10 minutes, and sprinkle with salt as soon as they come out. Mix the pecans into the caramel and let cool to room temperature. (Makes 1 pound.)
• To assemble the cake: Slice the cakes in half horizontally to make 4 even cake layers. Pipe a ring of frosting around the edge of one of the bottom layers and fill the center with turtle filling--the buttercream ring will prevent the turtle filling from oozing out the sides of the cake.
• Spread a thin layer of ganache on top of the turtle filling and repeat with the remaining cake layers.
• Frost the entire cake as desired with the frosting.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 3 (9-inch) cake pans.
• Cover the bottom of each pan with parchment paper, cut to size.
• In a medium bowl, combine the egg, oil, and buttermilk. In another larger bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until well mixed. Gradually add the hot coffee, and stir again to combine. Scrape the batter into the prepared pans. Bake the cakes for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
• Combine the milk and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Add the butter, and then bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Remove pan from heat. Add chocolate chips to the pan and, using a wire whisk, mix until smooth. (Note: If frosting is too thick, add 1 or 2 tablespoons hot coffee.)
• Place 1 cooled cake layer with the top side down on a cake plate. Spread with 1/3 of the frosting, pushing it out slightly from the edges to make a ripple or petal effect. Sprinkle frosting with 1/2 cup toasted pecans and drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel. Add the next layer, again with the top side down. Repeat frosting layers. Place the top layer with the top side up. Repeat frosting layers.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan.
• Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour half of the batter into pan. Bake 22 minutes. Refrigerate remaining batter.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and evaporated milk over medium heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted. Stir in pecans. Pour caramel mixture over warm cake in pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Spread with remaining batter. Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool at least 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream, drizzle with toppings and sprinkle with pecans. Store loosely covered.

Steps:

• Spoon half the COOL WHIP into bowl; refrigerate to thaw. Return remaining COOL WHIP to freezer. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients. Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Meanwhile, microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring every 45 sec. Cool slightly.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add caramel sauce; mix well. Blend in thawed COOL WHIP. Stack cake layers on plate, filling and frosting top with cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate while preparing chocolate glaze and garnishes.
• Melt 2 oz. chocolate as directed on package. Dip half of each wafer in chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Top with nuts. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Microwave frozen COOL WHIP and remaining chocolate in microwaveable bowl 3 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Cool 10 min.
• Spread COOL WHIP mixture onto top of cake. Garnish with wafers. Keep refrigerated.

Steps:

• Combine all dry ingredients (except sugar); set aside.
• Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
• Gradually add flour mixture alternately with milk (not canned milk), just until blended.
• Spread half of the batter in a greased and floured 9x13 pan. bake for 12-14 minutes in a 350°F oven.
• Heat caramels and canned milk. Melt.
• Pour caramel mixture over cake, spreading to the edges.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup of chocolate chips and the 1 cup of the chopped pecans.
• Spoon remaining batter over top, carefully spreading to the edges.
• Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips. Spread over cooled cake.
• Sprinkle with the remaining pecans.
• I like to serve this with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350&;amp;deg;F. Grease 9x13x2-inch cake pan. Combine caramels, butter and milk in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until caramels melt and mixture is smooth, about 6 minutes.
• Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Bake until top appears dry and cake is almost done, about 15 minutes. Pour caramel mixture evenly over cake. Sprinkle 1 cup pecans and chocolate chips over caramel. Pour remaining batter over filling. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake until toothpick inserted into top half of cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cake completely.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and the sugar.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, shortening, water, and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling.
• Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the bowl.
• Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Mix well using a wooden spoon or high speed on an electric mixer.
• Add in about 1 1/2 cups of the caramel bits, stir until well combined, in the batter.
• Pour into a well greased and floured cookie sheet (17 1/2 x 11 inch) pan.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes or until brownies test done in center.
• While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and milk. Heat to boiling and stirring constantly.
• Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until frosting is smooth (you may have to whisk it).
• Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of the oven.
• While the frosting is still hot, sprinkle on the rest of the caramel bits (about 1/2 cup), the chocolate chips, pecans, and a drizzle of caramel ice cream sauce.
• Let cool and cut into 40 bars.

Steps:

• Prepare cake mix as directed.
• Pour 1/2 of the batter in a 13x9 inch pan.
• Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
• Remove and let cool.
• In a double boiler, add caramels, milk and butter and stir constantly till melted.
• Pour melted caramel over cooling cake.
• Sprinkle on top 1 cup of pecans& chocolate chips.
• Pour remaining batter on top and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
• Enjoy.