A Canadian Foodies Turtle Cake Recipes

TURTLE CAKE

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.

A CANADIAN FOODIE'S ORIGINAL CHEATER TURTLE CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350F; place rack is in middle
• Prepare 9 inch springform cake pan: butter and flour bottom
• Place disc of parchment paper on bottom; butter both sides of it
• Follow directions on box; pour 1/2 batter into springform pan (best to be less than half than more than half)
• Place in oven; bake for 15 minutes (set timer)
• Place all ingredients into small heavy sauce pan; heat, stirring regularly, until caramels are melted and all ingredients fully incorporated into a thick mass
• Prepare the nuts and chocolate so they are ready when the cake comes out of the oven
• Remove cake from oven at 15 minutes; surface tension should be taught
• Starting with chocolate around outer edge of pan and in toward middle, sprinkle completely over cake until covered single layer
• Repeat process with toasted pecans; stir caramel filling and pour along inside of pan rim in the same manner as the chocolate and the nuts, until completely covered with chocolate
• Pour remaining cake batter over caramel filling, ensuring that it is completely covered with batter
• Return cake to oven; bake another 50 to 60 minutes, until toothpick comes out completely clean in the middle: when in doubt, don't take it out.... best to not have middle sink (leave in 5-6 more minutes or up to 60 minutes)
• Remove from oven and rest for 20 minutes on cake rack: set timer for 20 minutes
• Instructions for Storing Cake until Service:
• Cake must still be warm to push toasted pecans vertically against side of caramel filling; pecans of same size look best, spaced at regular intervals (work quickly)
• For easy removal of cake from pan later, set cake on top of large sheet of plastic wrap with spring form bottom still in tact; wrap cake up sides (usually takes 2-3 sheets of wrap), even if still warm and set back into springform pan
• Store in fridge or wrap completely and store in freezer
• Thaw completely, if frozen; remove springform pan
• Set on serving tray or pedestal; dust with icing sugar
• If there is a dip in the cake, fill with toasted pecans; dust with more icing sugar
• Slice and serve with a sprig of mint, a berry, and whipping cream

TURTLE CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350^. Spray cake pan ( 9x13-inch) with non stick spray. Set aside. --- Mix cake as directed on package. Spread 1/2 of the cake batter in the baking pan and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool.
• 2. While this is cooling; put in a saucepan the caramels, butter and sweetened condensed milk and cook over low heat until blended and caramels have melted, stirring continuously.
• 3. After cake has cooled; spread caramel mixture over cake evenly. Top with a sprinkling of the chocolate chips and 1/2 the nuts.
• 4. Cover all with the remaining cake batter, spreading to cover. Sprinkle top with chocolate chips and nuts. Bake for 20 minutes. Do the toothpick test. When cake has cooled on wire rack cut into small pieces= very rich, oh so good with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

TURTLES® CAKE I

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.

TURTLE CAKE FROM SCRATCH

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.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CAKE

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.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CAKE

Steps:

• Dissolve cocoa in boiling water; cool. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and cocoa mixture, beating well after each addition., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For caramel layer: Line a 9-in. round pan with foil and grease the foil with butter. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, brown sugar, 1/2 cup cream, corn syrup and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until smooth and blended, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir in remaining cream. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage), about 10 minutes., Remove from the heat. Quickly pour into prepared pan (do not scrape saucepan). Cool., For ganache layer: Line a 9-in. round pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Pour over pecans. Cool to room temperature; chill until set., For frosting: In a microwave, melt unsweetened chocolate and chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, butter, milk, cocoa and vanilla until smooth; beat in melted chocolate., To assemble cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate; remove foil from caramel and place on top. Top with another cake layer; remove foil from ganache and place on top. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake. Garnish as desired.

TURTLE FUDGE SKILLET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour the bottom and sides of a 12-inch stainless steel, oven-safe skillet with shortening and flour, tapping out any excess flour.
• Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter into the bottom of the prepared skillet.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen and carefully invert onto a large round platter. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/2 of the caramel topping with the baking chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high until chocolate is melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Stir mixture until combined and smooth; carefully spread over the cake.
• Sprinkle cake with pecans and drizzle remaining caramel topping over top. Let stand until topping is set. Cut into wedges to serve.