A Canadian Foodies Original Cheater Turtle Cake

A CANADIAN FOODIE'S ORIGINAL CHEATER TURTLE CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350F; place rack is in middle
• Prepare 9 inch springform cake pan: butter and flour bottom
• Place disc of parchment paper on bottom; butter both sides of it
• Follow directions on box; pour 1/2 batter into springform pan (best to be less than half than more than half)
• Place in oven; bake for 15 minutes (set timer)
• Place all ingredients into small heavy sauce pan; heat, stirring regularly, until caramels are melted and all ingredients fully incorporated into a thick mass
• Prepare the nuts and chocolate so they are ready when the cake comes out of the oven
• Remove cake from oven at 15 minutes; surface tension should be taught
• Starting with chocolate around outer edge of pan and in toward middle, sprinkle completely over cake until covered single layer
• Repeat process with toasted pecans; stir caramel filling and pour along inside of pan rim in the same manner as the chocolate and the nuts, until completely covered with chocolate
• Pour remaining cake batter over caramel filling, ensuring that it is completely covered with batter
• Return cake to oven; bake another 50 to 60 minutes, until toothpick comes out completely clean in the middle: when in doubt, don't take it out.... best to not have middle sink (leave in 5-6 more minutes or up to 60 minutes)
• Remove from oven and rest for 20 minutes on cake rack: set timer for 20 minutes
• Instructions for Storing Cake until Service:
• Cake must still be warm to push toasted pecans vertically against side of caramel filling; pecans of same size look best, spaced at regular intervals (work quickly)
• For easy removal of cake from pan later, set cake on top of large sheet of plastic wrap with spring form bottom still in tact; wrap cake up sides (usually takes 2-3 sheets of wrap), even if still warm and set back into springform pan
• Store in fridge or wrap completely and store in freezer
• Thaw completely, if frozen; remove springform pan
• Set on serving tray or pedestal; dust with icing sugar
• If there is a dip in the cake, fill with toasted pecans; dust with more icing sugar
• Slice and serve with a sprig of mint, a berry, and whipping cream

TURTLES® CAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
• Mix cake mix according to package directions. Pour a little less than half of the batter into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) remove from oven.
• Melt caramels, margarine, and milk in the microwave on high (takes about 10 minutes), stirring a couple times. Or alternately melt in a sauce pan over medium low heat. Pour melted caramel mixture over cake, sprinkle with pecans, and chocolate chips, and pour remaining cake batter over the top.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 35 minutes.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan.
• Make cake batter as directed on box. Pour half of the batter into pan. Bake 22 minutes. Refrigerate remaining batter.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and evaporated milk over medium heat, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted. Stir in pecans. Pour caramel mixture over warm cake in pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Spread with remaining batter. Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool at least 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream, drizzle with toppings and sprinkle with pecans. Store loosely covered.