Try This Dreamy Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Recipe Today

Decadent layers of rich chocolate and gooey caramel dance together in this irresistible chocolate caramel turtle cake roll that promises pure indulgence.

Chocolate lovers will find themselves falling head over heels for this stunning dessert that combines classic flavors in a spectacular presentation.

Soft chocolate sponge cake wrapped around silky caramel creates a mouthwatering masterpiece that feels both elegant and comforting.

Pecans add a delightful crunch, elevating each delicate slice with nutty undertones and textural contrast.

The swirled cake brings dramatic visual appeal that makes this dessert perfect for special occasions or weekend baking adventures.

Drizzled chocolate and caramel create an enchanting finishing touch that transforms a simple cake roll into a showstopping treat.

Savor every luxurious bite and let this dessert transport you to a world of sweet, chocolatey bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything In Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Eggs: Provide structure and richness, choose fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, airy texture, opt for granulated white sugar.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and softness, select a neutral-flavored oil like canola.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor, use pure vanilla for best results.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tenderness, look for fresh, high-quality buttermilk.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cake structure, use fresh, sifted flour for smooth batter.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor, choose high-quality dark cocoa.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy, check expiration date for freshness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors, use fine table salt.

• Butter: Provides creamy base, use unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds rich, sweet flavor, select high-quality prepared caramel.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting, sift to remove lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts buttercream consistency, use cold cream for best results.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates smooth ganache, choose high-quality dark or semi-sweet chips.
• Heavy Cream: Helps melt chocolate and create glossy texture, use fresh cream.
• Corn Syrup: Adds shine to ganache, use light corn syrup.

What Tools You Need For Turtle Cake Roll Success

• Electric mixer: Essential for beating eggs, sugar, and creating smooth buttercream.
• Jelly roll pan: Specifically sized 15×10-inch pan for creating thin cake layer.
• Parchment paper: Crucial for preventing cake from sticking to pan.
• Clean kitchen towel: Helps roll cake without breaking.
• Sifter: Needed to combine dry ingredients evenly.
• Small saucepan: Used for heating cream for ganache.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter and buttercream smoothly.
• Mixing bowls: For combining ingredients and preparing different components.
• Cooling plate: Allows cake to rest and set after rolling.

Steps To Make Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab a jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper, giving it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Whip Up the Cake Batter

Grab your mixer and beat eggs and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, pale cloud. Splash in some vegetable oil, vanilla, and buttermilk, mixing until everything looks harmonious. Gently fold in the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt – being careful not to deflate your beautiful mixture.

• Bake and Roll

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide it into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cake bounces back when touched. Immediately flip the hot cake onto a sugar-dusted kitchen towel and roll it up like a cozy blanket. Let it cool completely.

• Create Caramel Buttercream Magic

Whip butter until it’s light as a cloud. Swirl in caramel sauce and powdered sugar, mixing until silky smooth. Add a splash of vanilla and adjust consistency with cream if needed.

• Assemble and Cover in Chocolate

Unroll the cooled cake and generously spread the caramel buttercream. Roll it back up and chill. Melt chocolate with heated cream, stirring until glossy. Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it cascade down the sides.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle with toasted pecans and drizzle extra caramel if you’re feeling fancy. Let the ganache set before slicing into this decadent masterpiece.

Tips To Boost Your Turtle Cake Roll Flavor

• Temperature Precision: Ensure eggs are at room temperature for maximum volume when beating, creating a lighter, fluffier cake texture that rolls perfectly without cracking.
• Moisture Magic: When unrolling the cooled cake, work gently and slowly to prevent splitting, using a light touch and patience to keep the delicate texture intact.
• Make-Ahead Mastermind: Prepare the cake roll up to two days in advance and store wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and making party prep a breeze.
• Dietary Flexibility: For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve cake structure and prevent crumbling.
• Nutty Alternatives: Replace pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts for a different flavor profile, or omit nuts entirely for nut-free guests without compromising the cake's delicious caramel-chocolate essence.

Serve Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Sweet And Gooey

• Decadent Dessert Companion: Pair this rich chocolate caramel turtle cake roll with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast and creamy complement.
• Elegant Coffee Moment: Serve thin slices alongside a steaming espresso or creamy cappuccino to enhance the cake's deep chocolate and caramel notes, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Celebration Centerpiece: Transform this cake roll into a stunning party dessert by adding decorative chocolate shavings, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh edible flowers for an impressive presentation that will wow guests.
• Festive Gift Option: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a decorative ribbon, making this cake roll a perfect homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasion treats that show extra love and care.

Store Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Safely

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cake roll wrapped tightly in plastic wrap inside an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Quick Temperature Control: Allow cake to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften buttercream and enhance taste. Cold cake can feel slightly firm and less appetizing.
• Freezing Magic Trick: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Frozen cake rolls stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator for best results.
• Moisture Protection Technique: Place wax paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual slice integrity. Helps preserve delicate ganache and buttercream layers during refrigeration.

Dreamy Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate caramel turtle cake roll delivers decadent layers of indulgence from Germany. Sweet chocolate sponge wraps around creamy caramel, crowned with crunchy pecans and chocolate drizzle for ultimate dessert satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup (170 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fl oz) buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup caramel sauce
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (85 g) toasted chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp light corn syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Extra caramel drizzle (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
2. Batter Creation: Whip eggs and sugar until pale and voluminous, then blend in vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until fully incorporated.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the wet mixture, ensuring a smooth consistency.
4. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake until the surface springs back when touched, approximately 10-12 minutes.
5. Cake Rolling: Immediately transfer the hot cake onto a powdered sugar-dusted towel, carefully remove parchment paper, and gently roll from the shorter edge. Allow to cool completely for one hour.
6. Buttercream Development: Whip butter until light, then blend caramel sauce, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Adjust consistency with heavy cream if needed.
7. Cake Assembly: Unroll the cooled cake, spread caramel buttercream evenly, and reroll without the towel. Position seam-side down and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8. Ganache Preparation: Heat heavy cream until steaming, pour over chocolate chips, and let rest for two minutes. Stir until silky, then incorporate corn syrup and vanilla extract.
9. Finishing Touches: Coat the cake roll generously with ganache, ensuring complete coverage. Garnish with toasted pecans and optional caramel drizzle.
10. Serving: Allow ganache to set for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the cake while still warm to maintain flexibility and prevent splitting, using a powdered sugar-dusted towel for smooth handling.
• Buttercream Consistency Check: Achieve a spreadable buttercream by adjusting heavy cream gradually, ensuring a smooth, even layer without becoming too runny.
• Ganache Temperature Matters: Let chocolate ganache cool slightly before pouring to prevent sliding off the cake and create a glossy, stable coating.
• Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerate the cake between steps to stabilize layers and maintain structural integrity, especially after filling and before coating with ganache.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg