October 25, 2023
Review RecipeTurtle Dessert
This turtle dessert is a creamy and decadent layered dessert with all the fantastic flavors of the classic candy.
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Chocolate, caramel, pudding, whipped cream, and peanuts come together in this creamy turtle dessert to create a divine treat that’s perfect for any occasion. You will love the gooey, sweet, and crunchy textures that make up this decadent layered delight.
Turtle Dessert Ingredients
Rich layers of chocolate, caramel, and pecan flavors combine with the creamy layer of cream cheese and vanilla pudding, creating an explosion of textures and tastes.
Perfect for those craving something extra special for their next dessert experience, turtle dessert will leave you absolutely satisfied yet still wanting more.
To make this amazing dessert, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 36 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with cream center filling (I used Oreo cookies)
- 6 tablespoons of salted sweet cream butter, melted and cooled
- 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup of powdered sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) containers of Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed
- 2 cups of cold whole milk
- 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1½ teaspoons of caramel flavoring
- 1 cup of chopped dry roasted peanuts, divided
- 2½ cups of chopped turtle candies, divided
- Chocolate syrup (optional garnish)
- Caramel sundae syrup (optional garnish)
Substitutions And Additions
COOKIE CRUMBS: You can substitute crushed chocolate graham crackers for the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies in these no-bake turtle dream bars.
Be sure to add two tablespoons of granulated sugar if you make the substitution.
NUTS: In this chocolate turtle dessert, you can substitute chopped pecans for chopped peanuts.
PUDDING: You can substitute instant caramel-flavored pudding mix for the vanilla mix if you can find it.
If you are able to use the caramel pudding, be sure to omit the caramel flavoring.
CARAMEL SAUCE: While store-bought caramel sauce is convenient, you can elevate your dessert by making your own homemade caramel sauce.
How To Make This Turtle Dessert Recipe
This delicious recipe will have you creating layers of decadence that start with a chocolate cookie crust.
Next, create the cream cheese layer, followed by the creamy pudding layer. Between each addition, you will want to chill the dish to make sure each layer sets properly.
Top the pudding with all the gooey caramel, peanuts, and chocolate syrup that make this a turtle treat.
STEP ONE: Use either a pastry brush or your hands to butter a 9×9-inch baking dish with the two tablespoons of butter. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: Add the crushed cookies and the melted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Press the buttered cookie mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the baking dish.
Chill the chocolate cookie crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the cream cheese layer.
STEP THREE: Beat the softened cream cheese and vanilla for 1 to 1½ minutes until smooth.
Use a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, so you don’t have any lumps in your creamy dessert.
STEP FOUR: Add the powdered sugar and one cup of whipped topping. Continue mixing for another 1 to 1½ minutes until smooth.
STEP FIVE: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the cookie crust, and return the baking dish to the refrigerator.
STEP SIX: Add the cold milk to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Sprinkle the pudding mixes and caramel flavoring over the cold milk.
Use a handheld mixer on medium-low speed and mix just until the mixture begins to thicken. This usually only takes about one minute.
PRO TIP:
You can whisk the pudding mixture by hand; the handheld mixer is just a time saver.
STEP SEVEN: Add one cup of the whipped topping and continue mixing until the pudding mixture thickens.
STEP EIGHT: Evenly sprinkle a half cup of the chopped peanuts and one cup of the chopped turtle candies over the cream cheese layer.
STEP NINE: Drizzle one to two tablespoons of the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over the candy layer.
STEP TEN: Spread the pudding mixture in an even layer over the candy layer. Cover and chill for two hours.
PRO TIP:
Don’t skip the chilling stage. You want to give your dessert plenty of time to chill and set before serving it.
STEP ELEVEN: Just before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer.
STEP TWELVE: Sprinkle the remaining half cup of chopped peanuts and the remaining 1½ cups of chopped turtle candies over the whipped topping.
STEP THIRTEEN: Drizzle the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over the candies. Slice into 3-inch x 3-inch pieces.
How To Serve
Serve up a taste of luxury with the decadent indulgence that is our turtle dessert. Your guests will love the unforgettable combination of chocolate, pecans, and caramel.
Serve a slice of this heavenly dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to delight your taste buds.
For even more decadence, add a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte to wash it down.
Our chocolate turtle candies are the inspiration for this delicious dessert, while our turtle pie is another spin on these fantastic flavors.
MORE TURTLE RECIPES
Storage
Let’s make sure you know how to store this delectable treat if you have any leftovers, that is.
MAKE AHEAD: After assembling all the layers, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
Making it ahead not only saves you time but also allows the flavors to meld together for an even more luscious treat.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to five days.
IN THE FREEZER: This yummy dessert can be frozen for up to a month.
Store in an airtight container or well-wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Make sure to label your container so that you remember to enjoy your dessert while it is at its best.
Why We Love This Recipe
DECADENT LAYERS OF FLAVOR: This dessert is a combination of tastes and textures, with a cracker crust, caramel, and cream cheese layer, and the crunch from pecans and chocolate.
NO-BAKE EASE: It’s a hassle-free, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for those who want a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
IMPRESSIVE PRESENTATION: The turtle dessert not only tastes incredible but also looks stunning. With its layers and drizzles of caramel and chocolate, it’s a showstopper at gatherings, potlucks, or as a special treat for yourself.
All the tasty parts of turtle candy are found in this amazing turtle dessert lasagna. The combination of crunchy pecans, gooey caramel, and silky chocolate is sure to be a huge hit with anyone you serve this turtle dessert to.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this ahead of time?
This wonderful recipe is actually best if you make it ahead of time and let it chill to make sure all of the layers are set.
Can I use a different type of crust for this recipe?
You could use graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers for your cookie crust.
Can I freeze this no-bake layered turtle dessert?
This tasty dessert can be kept in the freezer for up to one month.
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Turtle Dessert
This turtle dessert is a creamy and decadent layered dessert with all the fantastic flavors of the classic candy.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 9
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 36 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with cream center filling, I used Oreo cookies
- 6 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, melted and cooled
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 16 ounces whipped topping, thawed
- 2 cups cold whole milk
- 6.8 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1½ teaspoons caramel flavoring
- 1 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts, divided
- 2½ cups chopped turtle candies, divided
- Chocolate syrup, optional garnish
- Caramel sundae syrup, optional garnish
Instructions
- Use either a pastry brush or your hands to butter a 9×9-inch baking dish with the 2 tablespoons of butter. Set it aside.
- Add the crushed cookies and the melted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Press the buttered cookie mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the baking dish. Chill the cookie crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the cream cheese layer.
- Using either a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese and vanilla for 1 to 1½ minutes until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and 1 cup of whipped topping. Continue mixing for another 1 to 1½ minutes until smooth.
- Evenly spread the cream cheese layer on top of the cookie crust, and return the baking dish to the refrigerator.
- Add the cold milk to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Sprinkle the pudding mixes and caramel flavoring over the cold milk. Use a handheld mixer on medium-low speed and mix just until the mixture begins to thicken (this usually only takes about 1 minute).
- Add 1 cup of the whipped topping and continue mixing until the pudding mixture thickens.
- Evenly sprinkle ½ cup of the chopped peanuts and 1 cup of the chopped turtle candies over the cream cheese layer.
- Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over the candy layer.
- Spread the pudding mixture over the candy layer. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
- Just before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of chopped peanuts and the remaining 1½ cups of the chopped turtle candies over the whipped topping.
- Drizzle the chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over the candies. Slice into 3-inch x 3-inch pieces.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, so you don’t have any lumps in your creamy dessert.
- You can whisk the pudding mixture by hand; the handheld mixer is just a time saver.
- Don’t skip the chilling stage. You want to give your dessert plenty of time to chill and set before serving it.
Nutrition
Calories: 1100kcal | Carbohydrates: 135g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 586mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 106g | Vitamin A: 1142IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 6mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
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