Turtle Cheesecake

This Turtle Cheesecake is a rich, creamy baked cheesecake topped with homemade caramel, chocolate ganache, and toasted pecans, the ultimate showstopper dessert.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Turtle Cheesecake

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 20

Chill and Cool Time 6

Servings servings

Calories 560kcal

Author Jason Decker

Ingredients

Cheesecake

2 cups graham crumbs
1/4 cup salted butter melted
4 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoon All-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
5 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans saved for topping

Caramel

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Salt

Ganache

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips semisweet or milk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Lightly grease the bottom of the springform pan. Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a small mixing bowl, mix together the graham crumbs and melted butter.
2 cups graham crumbs, 1/4 cup salted butter
Press into the bottom of the springform pan and bake for 10 minutes. Place on a cooling rack and set aside.
Turn oven down to 300°F.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
4 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, 1 cup granulated sugar
Add the flour and salt and beat again until well combined.
3 tablespoon All-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well in between each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl often.
5 large eggs
Add heavy cream and mix until combined.
1/4 cup heavy cream
Once the springform pan has cooled enough to handle, wrap the bottom of the pan with 2-3 layers of tin foil. Add a paper towel between the pan and the foil to help absorb any water that may leak in the water bath.
Pour the cheesecake batter into the springform pan. Carefully place it into the bottom of a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan about an inch deep with very hot or boiling water.
Gently place in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. (Don’t open the door of the oven for the entire cooking time.) After the hour is up, open the door and check for doneness. It will be slightly jiggly in the center, but the sides should be set.
Once the cheesecake is done, turn the oven off, but keep it in the oven for an additional hour (This helps prevent any cracking).
Remove the cheesecake and allow to cool completely before covering and placing it in the refrigerator. I gently place a piece of paper towel on the cake and then Saran Wrap. This will absorb condensation that forms in the refrigerator.
While the cheesecake is cooling, make the caramel by adding all ingredients to a small saucepan.
1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon Salt
Bring to a simmer on medium and then turn down to low and, stirring constantly, simmer for 7-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Once the caramel has cooled completely, stir and then pour evenly on top of the cooled cheesecake. Sprinkle with pecans and place in refrigerator to set.
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Make the ganache by adding chocolate chips to a small bowl. Heat heavy cream in a microwave or saucepan The cream should be hot (90-110°F), and then pour over the chocolate chips.
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, 1/2 cup heavy cream
Let sit for 5 minutes and then stir until chips are melted. Let cool 5-10 minutes, and then drizzle over top of caramel topping.
Allow to chill for at least 2 hours before serving to set.

Notes

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This ensures a smoother cheesecake filling.
For an even graham cracker crust, you can use a food processor or a rolling pin to crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs.
Always wrap the sides and bottom of the springform pan securely with aluminum foil when using a water bath.
To avoid cracks, refrain from opening the oven door frequently.
Let the cheesecake cool slowly in the oven and then on a wire rack to prevent rapid temperature changes.
Use parchment paper on the bottom of the springform pan for easier removal.

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