Printable Recipe: Gooey Caramel Turtle Cake Recipe

Gooey Caramel Turtle Cake

This is basically heaven on a plate. Really. It's gooey, it's sweet, it's rich and chocolately... and it's ultra easy to make. Plus, like all good 4th of July picnic recipes, it's easy to transport. The filling on this cake is all on the inside, and you can simply transport it in the pan or cut it up ahead of time-- there's no frosting that will melt off or stick to every surface. And you wouldn't want any frosting, either. This cake is perfect just as it is.

As a bonus, this can also be a good make-ahead food for a 4th of July picnic. Make it a day ahead and bring it along at room temperature. This is one of those 4th of July picnic recipes that only gets tastier after it sits for a day!

Serves about 16.

Ingredients:
1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 1/3 C. water (or as required by your mix)
1/2 C. vegetable oil (or as required by your mix)
3 eggs (or as required by your mix)
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 bag (14 oz.) vanilla caramels
1/2 C. unsalted butter
2 bags (12 oz. each) milk chocolate chips
1 C. chopped pecans

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 13x9 inch pan.

2. Mix up your cake mix according to the directions, using oil, water, and eggs in the amounts given on your mix.

3. Pour HALF of this batter into your prepared pan. Bake about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.

4. While cake is cooling, make the filling. In a large, non-stick saucepan, combine the condensed milk, caramels, and butter. Cook until on medium-low heat until caramels and butter are completely melted, and mixture is thick and creamy.

5. Sprinkle half of your chocolate chips (one bag) over top of your baked cake layer. Sprinkle nuts over chocolate. Pour caramel sauce over. Sprinkle on the other half of your chocolate (one bag).

6. Top filling with the rest of your cake batter mixture.

7. Return to the oven and bake about 30 minutes, til center of cake is springy.

8. Cool completely before cutting or serving.