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Turtle Caramel Chocolate Cake Roll

Turtle Caramel Chocolate Cake Roll

A decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate cake with gooey caramel and crunchy pecans, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. This recipe breaks down the seemingly complex process into manageable steps, making a show-stopping dessert accessible to home bakers.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Course: Cake Roll, Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Cake
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Sauce
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream warmed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt
For the Chocolate Ganache
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the Filling and Topping
  • 1 cup heavy cream cold
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans toasted
  • N/A Additional caramel sauce for drizzling
  • N/A Additional chopped pecans for garnish

Equipment

  • Jelly roll pan (10x15 inch)
  • - Parchment Paper
  • Wire rack
  • Medium saucepan
  • Heatproof bowl
  • Small Saucepan
  • Clean kitchen towel

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper as well.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, warm water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
    3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup warm water, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined and no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan, spreading it to the edges. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly touched.
  5. While the cake is still warm, dust a clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar. Carefully invert the hot cake onto the prepared towel. Peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one of the shorter ends, carefully roll the cake and the towel together. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring and let the mixture simmer until it turns an amber color. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
    1 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water
  7. Carefully and slowly stream in the warmed heavy cream, whisking constantly. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Let it cool slightly.
    1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch salt
  8. Place the finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the ½ cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes. Whisk gently until smooth and glossy. Let it cool to room temperature.
    6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, 1/2 cup heavy cream
  9. In a clean bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
    1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  10. Carefully unroll the cooled chocolate cake. Spread an even layer of the whipped cream filling over the entire surface of the cake, leaving a small border. Drizzle about half of the cooled caramel sauce over the whipped cream. Sprinkle with the toasted chopped pecans.
    1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, N/A Additional caramel sauce
  11. Carefully re-roll the cake, this time without the towel, into a log shape. Place the rolled cake, seam-side down, on a serving platter.
  12. Pour or spread the cooled chocolate ganache over the top of the cake roll. Drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce. Garnish with additional chopped pecans.
    N/A Additional chopped pecans, N/A Additional caramel sauce
  13. Refrigerate the Turtle Caramel Chocolate Cake Roll for at least 1 hour, or until firm, before slicing and serving.

Notes

Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheating is not recommended.
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