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Turtle Cheesecake makes a rich and creamy dessert that everyone loves. This cheesecake is perfect for the holidays or any special occasion.
Cheesecake makes the perfect dessert for any occasion. Turtle cheesecake combines the flavors of chocolate, caramel and pecans to make a show stopper cheesecake recipe.
This cheesecake starts with a Oreo crust and topped with a rich and creamy cheesecake. If you love cheesecake try these other recipes – Caramel Cheesecake Recipe, Reese’s Cheesecake, Air Fryer Cheesecake, Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Cheesecake
Making cheesecake from scratch is one of my favorite desserts to make. The ingredients are simple and always taste amazing. I love adding the chocolate ganache topping for added flavor.
The sweet and salty flavor makes it a must for all of holiday dinners.
Ingredients
- Oreo Cookies – Feel free to use other types of cookies to make crust. Make a Homemade Graham Crackers Crust or use Nilla Wafer or shortbread cookies.
- Butter – Use melted unsalted butter
- Cream Cheese – Softened Full Fat cream cheese is best for the a smooth and creamy texture.
- Light Brown Sugar – Learn How to Make Brown Sugar
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Use other types of chocolate chips such as dark chocolate chips
- Caramel Sauce – For a delicious variations, use salted caramel sauce or make Homemade Caramel Sauce.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make Turtle Cheesecake Crust
Step 1 – Place the Oreo Cookies in a food processor or blender and blend until the cookies are turned into crumbs.
Step 2 – Place the Oreo crumbs in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter.
- Step 2 – Pour the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly down into the bottom of the pan and approximately halfway up the sides of the pan.
- Step 3 – Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
How to Make Turtle Cheesecake Layer
Step 1 – Beat the softened cream cheese with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed until soft and creamy.
Step 2 – Mix in the light brown sugar and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowls as needed.
Step 3 – Reduce the speed on the mixer down to low and slowly add in the eggs, one at a time, until each egg is fully combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Step 4 – Keep the mixer speed on low and mix in the sour cream and heavy cream until both are thoroughly combined.
Step 5 – Then pour the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust and use a spatula to make the top as smooth as possible. Place the pan into a large pan with boiling water.
Step 6 – Bake for 60-70 minutes. The edges should be set and the center should still appear jiggly. Turn the oven off and crack the oven door. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 45 more minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully remove the cheesecake from the water. Let cheesecake cool on a wire rack.
- Step 7 – Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 8 – When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake carefully from the springform pan by running a knife around the sides of the cheesecake to release the cheesecake from the pan.
How to Make Turtle Cheesecake Topping
- Step 1 – Place the heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 20-30 seconds until warmed. Add in the chocolate chips. Let sit for a few minutes and then stir until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Step 2 – Remove the cheesecake carefully from the springform pan by running a knife around the sides of the cheesecake to release the cheesecake from the pan and move the cheesecake to a serving plate.
- Step 3 – When ready to serve, drizzle the top of the cheesecake with the melted chocolate and caramel sauce. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top and then the cheesecake is ready to serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Ingredients – Make sure to use room temperature ingredients to ensure that the cheesecake is creamy and smooth.
- Cream Cheese – Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavor.
- Baking Cheesecake – Keep oven door closed while baking. This helps to not crack or deflate the cheesecake.
- Cracking Cheesecake – If your cheesecake does get cracks, just add more toppings to cover them up.
- Cool Cheesecake – For best results, make sure to allow cheesecake according to the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
A water bath creates an humid environment which helps to prevent the cheesecake from cracking or a curdling filling.
The water bath helps to prevent the cheesecake from cracking but not overmixing the batter also ensures a smooth batter.
Store the leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This is a great cheesecake to freeze. You can freeze in slices or as a whole cheesecake. Wrap the cheesecake in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. This helps to prevent freezer burns. If you want to freeze the cheesecake, then I would add the toppings when serving.
More Easy Cheesecake Recipes
Easy Cake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
All Recipes
Mini Oreo Cheesecake
Oven Baked
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites
We love to hear from you. If you make this Turtle Cheesecake Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Turtle Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 30 Oreo Cookies
- 5 Tablespoons Butter melted
For the Cheesecake:
- 24 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 3 large Eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
For the Topping:
- 2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
- 4 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 cup Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup Pecan Halves chopped
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Place the Oreo Cookies in a food processor or blender and blend until the cookies are turned into crumbs.
- Place the Oreo crumbs in a mixing bowl. Stir in the melted butter.
- Pour the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly down into the bottom of the pan and approximately halfway up the sides of the pan.
- Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- Beat the softened cream cheese with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer until soft and creamy.
- Mix in the light brown sugar and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowls as needed.
- Reduce the speed on the mixer down to low and slowly add in the eggs, one at a time, until each egg is fully combined. Be careful not to over mix.
- Keep the mixer speed on low and mix in the sour cream and heavy cream until both are thoroughly combined.
- Then pour the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker crust and use a spatula to make the top as smooth as possible.
- Place the pan into a large pan and pour boiling water around the cheesecake pan until it goes up approximately halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes. The edges should be set and the center should still appear jiggly.
- Turn the oven off and crack the oven door. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 45 more minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully remove the cheesecake from the water. Let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature (approximately 1 hour).
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake carefully from the springform pan by running a knife around the sides of the cheesecake to release the cheesecake from the pan.
For the Topping:
- Place the heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 20-30 seconds until warmed. Add in the chocolate chips. Let sit for a few minutes and then stir until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Remove the cheesecake carefully from the springform pan by running a knife around the sides of the cheesecake to release the cheesecake from the pan and move the cheesecake to a serving plate.
- When ready to serve, drizzle the top of the cheesecake with the melted chocolate and caramel sauce. Sprinkle the chopped pecans on top and then the cheesecake is ready to serve and enjoy!
How can one not like this turtle cheese cake. I don’t know if I’ve got the energy to make it but I’d love to.
Can it be baked in an oblong glass plate. Sorry. I’m 80 and forgetting words. ?.
How can one not like this turtle cheese cake. I don’t know if I’ve got the energy to make it but I’d love to.
Can it be baked in an oblong glass plate. Sorry. I’m 80 and forgetting words. ?.
Everyone loved this Turtle Cheesecake at our family gathering last weekend!