Description
Chocolate lovers will swoon over this irresistible Caramel Turtle Poke Cake, blending rich chocolate, creamy caramel, and crunchy pecans into a sinful dessert. Silky layers and indulgent toppings invite you to savor each heavenly bite of this ultimate sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Main Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) caramel sauce or dulce de leche
- 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans
- ½ cup (90 g) mini chocolate chips
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 (8 ounces / 225 grams) container whipped topping
- ¼ cup (60 ml) caramel sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chocolate syrup
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cake foundation by mixing and baking in a 9×13-inch pan according to package directions. Ensure the oven is heated to 350F (175C) and the pan is properly prepared with grease or parchment.
- While the cake is still warm, systematically create multiple holes across the entire surface using a wooden spoon handle or narrow utensil.
- Generously cascade caramel sauce over the perforated cake, guiding the liquid to penetrate deeply into the created tunnels. Use a spatula to distribute the sauce uniformly.
- Liberally shower the caramel-saturated surface with finely chopped pecans and miniature chocolate chips, creating a delectable textural layer.
- Allow the cake to reach room temperature, ensuring the caramel and toppings settle completely into the cake’s landscape.
- Construct a smooth, even blanket of whipped topping across the entire cake surface, completely covering the caramel and nut layer.
- Artfully drizzle additional caramel sauce and chocolate syrup in elegant zigzag patterns over the whipped topping.
- Sprinkle the remaining pecan fragments as a final garnish, creating visual interest and textural contrast.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of one hour, permitting the flavors to harmonize and the cake to set perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is slightly warm when poking holes to help caramel sauce seep deeply into the cake, creating maximum flavor absorption.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the chocolate cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and check that all added sauces are gluten-free certified.
- Create a lighter option by using sugar-free caramel sauce and low-fat whipped topping, reducing overall calorie content without compromising taste.
- Enhance texture by toasting pecans before chopping, which releases their natural oils and provides a deeper, nuttier flavor profile to the dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg