Kraft Turtle Cheesecake

By Zarah Grace, last updated on October 3, 2024

If you are a massive fan of turtle candies, perhaps you like the excellent combination of chocolate and caramel. For starters, Kraft turtle cheesecake is not from turtles; it is called turtles because of the arrangement of pecans that resemble the turtle’s legs, and the chocolate looks like a turtle shell. For the most part, they are indeed tasty and cute-looking candies that are great for holidays. 

And if you are the kind of person that stocks up on turtle candies every holiday, then the Kraft turtle cheesecake is the recipe for you. In most cases, Kraft turtle cheesecake has all the good flavors of the classic favorite turtle candies in cheesecake form. 

Besides, this cheesecake recipe is perfect when served for holiday gatherings such as; Christmas and thanksgiving. In addition to that, it is a delicious and creamy dessert with caramel, chocolate, pecans, and a chocolate cookie crust. 

Kraft Turtle Cheesecake

First and foremost, what is turtle cheesecake made of? You make a cheesecake from several ingredients that grasp turtle candies’ flavors. 

Besides, one of the ingredients of a good turtle cheesecake is a crust made from graham cracker crumbs or chocolate sandwich cookies. Also, some people usually use oreo cookies and graham cracker crumbs, but you can use any chocolate sandwich cookies that you can find. With that, ensure that you are not using double-stuffed cookies.

The following essential ingredients are pecans; remember that pecans are sometimes added to the crust to add another layer of flavor and texture. It is best to purchase whole or halved pecans that you can grind to make your filling. You can also chop your pecans roughly to add as a topping or leave them whole. 

The third ingredient is the cream cheese; ensure to use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature to make a smooth batter. And the final ingredient is caramel. Remember, you can use store-bought caramel, but making a homemade one is the best.

Moreover, why do they call it turtle cheesecake? And why did they name it after a cute reptile? In essence, turtle cheesecake got its name from a candy called turtle; keep in mind that it is a candy developed in 1918 by the DeMet’s Cand Company. 

Also, manufacturers make turtle candies of pecans coated in caramel and then wrapped inside a dollop of gourmet chocolate. In addition to that, they referred to them as turtles because their shape resembles one. 

Furthermore, turtle cheesecake is an adaptation of an ordinary cheesecake inspired by turtle candy with caramel, pecan, and chocolate candies. 

Also, the cheesecake is made with the same ingredients used to create a traditional cheesecake but with one exception. You usually make the turtle cheesecake with a chocolate graham cracker crust, and you drizzle its top with caramel and melted chocolate sprinkled with chopped pecans. 

Why do they call it turtle cheesecake?

What You Will Need In Making Kraft Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients for Kraft turtle cheesecake

For the crust

  • 20 pieces of chocolate sandwich cookies
  • 1/2 cup of halved pecans
  • 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter

For the filling

  • 4pcs, 8-ounce blocks of room-temped cream cheese
  • 1 cup of light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup and 2 tsp of all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 tbsp of heavy cream
  • 2 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 4pcs of large room-temped eggs
  • Half a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup of caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup of chopped pecans

For the topping

  • 1 tbsp of heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp of caramel sauce
  • 2 tbsp of chopped pecans

Equipment for Kraft turtle cheesecake

  • Food processor
  • Electric mixer
  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Mixing bowls

Servings and preparation time: Kraft turtle cheesecake recipe

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Chill Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 6 hours

Yields: 8-10 servings

Step by step instructions for making Kraft turtle cheesecake

Step 1: Preheat!

First and foremost, place an oven rack on the lowest level and place another rack in the middle of your oven. After that, preheat your conventional oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grease your nine-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the crust

Afterward, pulse your chocolate cookies and pecans using a food processor for thirty seconds or until finely ground. Then, pour the ground mixture into a medium bowl. 

Step 3: Add the melted butter

Next, add your melted butter and stir until well combined. After that, cram your crust mixture into the bottom of your pan and chill for about thirty minutes.

Making the filling: Kraft turtle cheesecake

Step 1: Beat! 

Beat your cream cheese and sugar inside a bowl using an electric mixer. Be sure to mix until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy. Then, add your flour, cream, and vanilla. Again, beat for a minute until smooth. Afterward, make sure to add your eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. 

Step 2: Stir the melted chocolate 

Next, save a cup of batter and place it inside a small bowl. Then, add and stir your melted chocolate into the rest of the batter. After that, whisk your caramel and two teaspoons of flour in a small bowl. 

Step 3: Spread the chocolate batter 

Mix in chopped pecans and spread your caramel batter evenly into your cooled crust. Likewise, spread your chocolate batter over your caramel mixture. Then, carefully scoop your plain batter over your chocolate batter and smooth the top. Afterward, place it on a baking sheet. 

Step 4: Boil! 

Boil eight cups of water. Then, place a large casserole dish on the bottom rack of your oven and carefully fill it halfway with boiling water. Afterward, place your cheesecake on the middle rack.

Step 5: It’s time to bake! 

Then, bake the cheesecake for about seventy-five to ninety minutes. Likewise, do so till the edges slightly pull from the sides of the pan. Afterward, cover your cheesecake loosely with foil after sixty minutes if the top turns brown quickly. Also, ensure to remove your cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling wire rack. Finally, chill for at least four hours. 

Making the topping: Kraft turtle cheesecake

Step 1: Heat the cream 

Before anything else, ensure to heat cream for about fifteen to thirty seconds inside a microwave-safe bowl. Then, add your chocolate chips and let them sit for a few minutes, and mix until smooth.

Step 2: Run a knife around the pan’s edge 

Next, meticulously run a knife around the edge of your pan to release your cheesecake. After that, remove your cheesecake and transfer it to a serving platter. Then, make sure to drizzle your cheesecake with melted chocolate and caramel. Lastly, top with pecans if desired.

What is turtle cheesecake made of?

What You Will Need In Making No-bake Turtle Cheesecake – Recipe 2

Ingredients: Kraft turtle cheesecake

For the crust: Kraft turtle cheesecake

  • 1 1/4 cups of chocolate wafer crumbs
  • 2 tbsp of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of melted butter
  • 1/4 cup of chopped pecans 

For the filling: Kraft turtle cheesecake

  • Two packs of softened (8-oz) cream cheese 
  • 1 1/2 cups of milk
  • 1/4 cup of firm-packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp of vanilla
  • One package of instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
  • 1/4 cup of chocolate fudge
  • 1/2 cup of halved pecans
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Equipment: Kraft turtle cheesecake

  • Mixing bowls
  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Electric mixer

Servings and preparation time: No-bake turtle cheesecake

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Yields: 16 servings

Step by step instructions in making no-bake turtle cheesecake

Step 1: Make the crust

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your crust ingredients well. Then, press your crust mixture into the bottom of your nine-inch springform pan evenly.

Step 2: Make the filling

In a medium-sized bowl, beat your cream cheese until it becomes fluffy using an electric mixer. Afterward, gradually add in your milk and beat it until it becomes smooth. Also, add your brown sugar and vanilla. Then, ensure to beat until well combined. After that, add your pudding mix and beat at low speed for about two minutes. Next, pour the filling mixture over the crust in your pan.

Step 3: Decorate and refrigerate

Then, proceed to drizzle the top of your cheesecake with fudge topping and swirl using the tip of a knife. Remember, arrange your halved pecans on top of your cheesecake and refrigerate for at least three hours or until firm.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy!

Afterward, slice your cheesecake into wedges and place it on individual serving plates. Ultimately, ensure to drizzle each slice with caramel topping and serve with whipped cream. 

Read more about Cheesecake Balls Rolled In Graham Crackers.

FAQs

[rank_math_rich_snippet id=”s-3a48f34e-b87a-481a-86f0-f33d7b8265dd”]

Kraft turtle cheesecake

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time1 hr 30 mins
4 hrs
Total Time6 hrs
Servings: 8 - 10

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Electric mixer
  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

For the crust

  • 20 pieces of chocolate sandwich cookies
  • 1/2 cup halved pecans
  • 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

For the filling

  • 4 8-ounce blocks of room-temped cream cheese
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup and 2 tsp of all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 large room-temped eggs
  • Half a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

For the topping

  • 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp caramel sauce
  • 2 tbsp chopped pecans

Instructions

  • First and foremost, place an oven rack on the lowest level and place another rack in the middle of your oven. After that, preheat your conventional oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grease your nine-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Afterward, pulse your chocolate cookies and pecans using a food processor for thirty seconds or until finely ground. Then, pour the ground mixture into a medium bowl.  
  • Next, add your melted butter and stir until well combined. After that, cram your crust mixture into the bottom of your pan and chill for about thirty minutes.

Filling:

  • Beat your cream cheese and sugar inside a bowl using an electric mixer. Be sure to mix until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy. Then, add your flour, cream, and vanilla. Again, beat for a minute until smooth. Afterward, make sure to add your eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  
  • Next, save a cup of batter and place it inside a small bowl. Then, add and stir your melted chocolate into the rest of the batter. After that, whisk your caramel and two teaspoons of flour in a small bowl. 
  • Mix in chopped pecans and spread your caramel batter evenly into your cooled crust. Likewise, spread your chocolate batter over your caramel mixture. Then, carefully scoop your plain batter over your chocolate batter and smooth the top. Afterward, place it on a baking sheet.  
  • Boil eight cups of water. Then, place a large casserole dish on the bottom rack of your oven and carefully fill it halfway with boiling water. Afterward, place your cheesecake on the middle rack.
  • Then, bake the cheesecake for about seventy-five to ninety minutes. Likewise, do so till the edges slightly pull from the sides of the pan. Afterward, cover your cheesecake loosely with foil after sixty minutes if the top turns brown quickly. Also, ensure to remove your cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling wire rack. Finally, chill for at least four hours. 

Topping:

  • Before anything else, ensure to heat cream for about fifteen to thirty seconds inside a microwave-safe bowl. Then, add your chocolate chips and let them sit for a few minutes, and mix until smooth.
  • Next, meticulously run a knife around the edge of your pan to release your cheesecake. After that, remove your cheesecake and transfer it to a serving platter. Then, make sure to drizzle your cheesecake with melted chocolate and caramel. Lastly, top with pecans if desired.