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Turtle Poke Cake

Every dessert lover will fall head over heels for this Turtle Poke Cake. This indulgent dessert features a moist chocolate cake infused with a luscious caramel-condensed milk mixture, then topped with semi‐sweet chocolate chips, toasted pecans, and an extra drizzle of caramel for that irresistible turtle flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate fudge cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
Caramel Mixture
  • 1 cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade; verify it’s Halal
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk verify it’s Halal
Toppings
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips verify they’re Halal
  • 1 ½ cups chopped pecans toasted
  • 1 cup caramel sauce for drizzling
  • 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream Optional; verify it’s Halal

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Large bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small bowl
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the chocolate fudge cake mix, 1 cup water, ½ cup vegetable oil, and 3 large eggs until smooth.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes about an inch apart all over the top.
  5. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup caramel sauce and 1 can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk. Pour this mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
  6. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  7. Once cooled, sprinkle 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 ½ cups of toasted chopped pecans evenly over the top, gently pressing them into the surface.
  8. Drizzle an additional 1 cup of caramel sauce over everything.
  9. If desired, serve with 1 cup of whipped topping or whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

Notes

This Turtle Poke Cake is versatile and perfect for any occasion. You can swap out the chocolate mix for a vanilla or yellow cake mix if you prefer a lighter flavor, and walnuts can be used instead of pecans for variety. Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of coffee to balance the rich flavors. The cake can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a couple of days, though it rarely lasts that long!