This Turtle Poke Cake is seriously the best cake ever!! Moist chocolate cake, made from scratch, is filled with gooey caramel, and topped with chocolate ganache and pecans! YUM!
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I can honestly tell you that this is one of the best cakes you will ever eat in all of life. It’s kind of ridiculous how delicious it is. If you are nice and decide to share this cake with friends, be prepared to have everyone want the recipe; it is out of control yummy!!
Have you ever had a turtle? The candy, not the animal. I thought turtles were something everyone knew about, but I was wrong. They are pecans drenched with caramel, dipped in chocolate. I guess they slightly resemble turtles and that’s how they got the name? All you need to know is: chocolate + caramel + pecans = turtles. It’s a good thing 🙂
Back to the cake.
This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe that I make all the time. Except this time I poked holes in it and poured gooey caramel all over it. Then I topped it with my favorite thing ever – chocolate ganache. Mmmmmm. Then, for good measure, I drizzled on a bit more caramel, and topped the whole thing off with pecans. Some of the pieces even got a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips, per my children’s request.
Speaking of my children. They were all crowded around me as I tried taking photos of this cake to share with all of you. My one year old was seriously crying, he wanted that cake so bad! The other kids didn’t cry, but I heard “Are you done yet?”, “Can we eat cake now?”, “Can I pleeeeeeaaaase have some cake??”
What I’m saying is, after about 10 torturous minutes, I had 4 incredibly happy little ones.
You know you want a piece too 😉
This Turtle Poke Cake is seriously the best cake ever!! Moist chocolate cake, made from scratch, is filled with gooey caramel, and topped with chocolate ganache and pecans! YUM!
More must-make turtle recipes:
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
So decadent!
Sue C says
What kind of caramel did you use? Is caramel ice cream topping ok to use?
Stephanie Brubaker says
Yes, caramel ice cream topping is perfect 🙂 Enjoy!
Sinea Pies says
Wow this cake looks AMAZING! Pinned it twice 🙂
Hey, tomorrow I am re=running my Cupcakes On Parade post that includes one of your delicious cupcake recipes. A little “blast from the past:
Melanie says
Oh good grief there goes my diet. This is a bit of art in sugar form. Dying over here.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Mmm poke cake is so good!! I just started making these last year and I love them! Oh my gosh and YES, turtles are amazing! There isn’t much better than chocolate, caramel and pecans together!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
This cake looks absolutely delicious! Then you added caramel and I licked my screen…
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Wait – it took you 10 minutes to take these gorgeous photos? I must be doing something wrong lol!! Or perhaps I should gather some hungry kids when I photograph – that might speed up the process 😉 This cake looks sooo yummy!
Cookin Canuck says
I adored turtles (the candy!), so can only imagine how good this cake must taste. I’m bookmarking this for our next bbq potluck.
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Oh my WORD this looks amazing! I wish I had a big ol’ piece with my coffee right now!
Ginny McMeans says
Great idea to turn a turtle into a poke cake. Sounds fantastic!
The Food Hunter says
holes filled with caramel sounds wonderful
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes please! All my favorites right here Stephanie! Love a good poke cake 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess says
Poke cakes are so retro and so cool! I know that turtle desserts can create such excitement…something about all that gooey caramel!!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
This looks absolutely heavenly! I want a slice right now!
foodwanderings says
You know what?! I never understood what’s turtle cake? I guess it’s because I didn’t grow up here. If I understand correctly it’s the pecans?! Cool. Cool!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
As a preggo with not many food cravings, THIS is definitely one of them now! Oh my word. That cake drenched in caramel? I can’t even stand it….Pinned!
Stephanie Brubaker says
I’m in the same boat, but this cake was goooooood 😉 thanks for the pin!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Umm yes! This is my kinda poke cake!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
turtles are my weakness! Chocolate/caramel and nuts are a winning combination!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
This is PERFECTION. Everyone loves Turtles! And I love it in poke cake form! Pinned 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Wow, does this ever look good! Love how caramely it is!
Jerry says
You had me at poke cake, but adding caramel just put it well over the top. Now I’m craving cake. I blame you.
amanda @ fake ginger says
I am obsessed with poke cakes AND turtles. I need this in my life!
Marilyn says
Couldn’t you use a choco box cake instead of making your own?
Stephanie Brubaker says
Yes you could. I prefer to bake from scratch, but either way would work! Enjoy, Marilyn 🙂
heather @french press says
turtles are like the best things EVER – ans so I’m sure this is the BEST poke cake ever – because chocolate and caramel how can it not be
Martha @ A Family Feast says
This is one of those times where I wish I could reach into my computer monitor and grab a piece! Yum!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
Oh heck yes! Turtles are like the best flavor combo ever and I bet this cake is melt-in-your-mouth amazing! And would you believe I’ve never made a poke cake? I need to get on this!
Levan @ MyWifeMakes.com says
LOVE the name of this cake and the way it looks. Look at that delicious oozing topping! Amazing stuff! 🙂
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Okay, so I am still friend’s with my manager (well, I guess ex-manager since I have not worked in years!) and her favourite dessert are Turtles. Totally inspired me for her birthday at the end of the month!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
I heart poke cakes and this one looks sweet, gooey and delicious – just perfect. You’re making me hungry this morning for sure!
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo says
Oh so yummy looking! Now I’m craving cake, this cake!
Lee - Fit Foodie Finds says
Can you believe I’ve never had poke cake?!?! This looks so fab!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I can imagine it is one of the best, it looks incredible. Can’t wait to enjoy it here at home!
Medeja says
I can imagine this cake is very sweet.. and very good!