Enjoy the flavors of caramel, chocolate, and toasted pecans in a decadent cheesecake.

That makes it an ideal recipe for a holiday feast or other special occasion.

This cheesecake is perfectly smooth and creamy with a dazzling dark chocolate crust and dark chocolate ganache.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake sliced to serve

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What Does Turtle Cheesecake Taste Like?

While the defining flavor here is sweetness, theres enough salt in the recipe to keep it well balanced.

Unfortunately for fans,Nabisco discontinued its chocolate wafers.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake ingredients

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Dewey’s Brownie crisp cookies work as a great alternative.

Our version ofchocolate waftersis also a perfect substitute.

Then drizzle salted caramel over the cheesecake, and sprinkle it evenly with the rest of the chopped pecans.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake on a plate ready to serve

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You may want to have on hand extra caramel sauce for drizzling as you serve.

Can You Make Turtle Cheesecake Ahead?

you’ve got the option to make turtle cheesecake in advance.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake preparing the pan with foil

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But note that the caramel sauce will stay saucy, so wait to pour it over before serving.

Can You Freeze Turtle Cheesecake?

you might freeze turtle cheesecake either whole or in slices.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake stirring together the crust ingredients

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Wrap it in layers of plastic wrap before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag for storage.

More Cheesecake Recipes

What’s better than one cheesecake?

Wrap bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with 4 layers of aluminum foil; set aside.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake crust in the pan

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Press evenly into bottom of prepared springform pan.

Bake crust:

Bake in preheated oven until set and fragrant, about 10 minutes.

Transfer springform pan to a wire rack, and let cool slightly while preparing filling, about 15 minutes.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake drizzling the caramel on the crust

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Make cheesecake filling:

Reduce oven temperature to 325F.

Beat on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.

Pour filling over caramel and pecans in prepared crust.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake beating the cream cheese

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Why do you need the water bath?

Turn off oven, and let cheesecake cool in oven with door propped open, about 1 hour.

Let cheesecake cool, then chill:

Remove roasting pan from oven.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake adding the eggs to the batter

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Remove cheesecake from water bath, and place on a wire rack.

Run a small offset spatula around edges of cheesecake to loosen.

Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake pouring the filling over the crust

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Chill until chilled and set, at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

Warm cream:

Place chocolate in a medium-size heatproof bowl; set aside.

Make ganache:

Pour cream over chocolate, and let stand, undisturbed, 3 minutes.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake spreading the filling in the pan

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Slowly stir with a rubber spatula until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Let cool at room temperature 15 minutes.

Remove sides of springform pan.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake pouring the water into the pan

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Run knife around bottom of cheesecake to loosen.

Gently shimmy or use large spatulas to transfer cheesecake onto a cake stand or plate.

Add caramel and pecans:

Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup salted caramel over cheesecake.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake letting the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door propped open

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Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/3 cup chopped pecans.

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake loosening the sides of the pan

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Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake heating the cream

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Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake making the ganache topping

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake loosening the cheesecake again

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake pouring the ganache on top of the cheesecake

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake spread with ganache

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake drizzling the cheesecake with caramel

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Turtle Cheesecake finishing the cheesecake topping

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless