Heavenly Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Recipe

Decadent chocolate caramel turtle cake roll sparks pure magic in kitchens everywhere.

Chocolate lovers understand the irresistible allure of rich, swirling layers.

Nutty pecans add delightful crunch against smooth caramel ribbons.

Sweet indulgence meets culinary artistry in this stunning dessert creation.

Creamy textures meld seamlessly through each delectable slice.

Delightful surprises await you in every single bite.

Brace yourself for a spectacular dessert that promises to sweep you off your feet.

Tips For A Better Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Master the Cake Texture: Whip eggs and sugar thoroughly until pale and thick for a light, airy cake roll that won't crack when rolling.
• Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the hot cake immediately after baking with a sugar-dusted towel to help it maintain flexibility and prevent breaking.
• Smooth Buttercream Technique: Gradually add powdered sugar to caramel buttercream, beating until silky and spreadable for an even, creamy filling.
• Ganache Perfect Pour: Allow ganache to cool slightly before coating to achieve a glossy, smooth finish that drapes elegantly over the cake roll.
• Nutty Enhancement Tip: Toast pecans briefly before sprinkling to intensify their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the chocolate caramel cake.

Store Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Like A Pro

• Preserve your delectable chocolate caramel turtle cake roll with care.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air can penetrate, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep the cake on a flat plate or container to maintain its shape and prevent crushing.
• For longer storage, freeze the cake roll by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag.
• Frozen cake rolls stay fresh for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to gradually return to its original texture and flavor.
• Remove the wrapping just before serving to prevent condensation from affecting the cake's appearance and taste.
• Pro tip: Always slice the cake when it's slightly chilled for clean, neat cuts that showcase the beautiful layers of caramel buttercream and ganache.

Toppings That Pair With Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Unleash Nutty Companions: Pair this decadent chocolate caramel turtle cake roll with toasted pecans or a handful of crunchy walnuts to enhance the cake's rich texture and complement its caramel undertones.
• Sip Smooth Liquids: Enjoy a glass of full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a creamy porter beer that matches the cake's deep chocolate and caramel flavors, creating a luxurious tasting experience.
• Match Creamy Drinks: Serve alongside a warm vanilla latte or cold milk to balance the cake's intense sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast to its rich chocolate ganache and caramel layers.
• Elevate with Ice Cream: Add a scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream next to the cake roll, which will create a delightful temperature and flavor interplay that highlights the dessert's complex profile.

Fun Ways To Tweak Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Replace pecans with chopped almonds and sprinkle crushed praline pieces over the ganache for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Coffee Chocolate Version: Add espresso powder to the cake batter and mix instant coffee into the caramel buttercream for a rich mocha-inspired roll.
• Sea Salt Caramel Blast: Incorporate flaky sea salt into the ganache and drizzle with extra salted caramel sauce to enhance the sweet-salty profile.
• Raspberry Chocolate Remix: Swirl raspberry preserves into the caramel buttercream and garnish with fresh raspberries for a fruity chocolate experience.

Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Questions Answered

• Why is the cake rolled with a towel while it's still hot?

Rolling the cake with a towel while it’s hot helps prevent cracking and makes the cake more flexible. This technique trains the cake to hold its rolled shape, which is crucial for creating a perfect cake roll without breaking.

• Can I substitute buttermilk if I don't have it?

Yes! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This works perfectly and ensures your cake remains moist and tender.

• How do I know if my ganache is the right consistency?

Your ganache should be smooth and slightly warm when pouring, similar to a thick sauce. If it’s too thick, gently reheat it or add a small amount of cream. If it’s too thin, let it cool for a few minutes to thicken naturally.

• What's the best way to get clean cake slices?

For clean, precise slices, chill the cake roll completely and use a sharp knife that you’ve run under hot water and then dried. Wipe the knife clean between each cut to ensure smooth, beautiful slices.

Why Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Is Rich And Decadent

• Whip Up a Crowd-Pleaser: This chocolate caramel turtle cake roll delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen stress, perfect for bakers wanting an impressive dessert without complicated techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Swap pecans for almonds, adjust caramel intensity, or modify chocolate ganache thickness to match personal preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for different tastes.
• Quick Celebration Dessert: Takes just over 2 hours from start to finish, including cooling times, making it an ideal treat for birthdays, potlucks, or spontaneous sweet cravings without overwhelming preparation.
• Master Baking Techniques: Learn professional rolling methods, ganache creation, and buttercream mixing while crafting a gorgeous dessert that looks like it came from a fancy bakery, boosting home baker confidence.

Ingredients Needed For Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

• Eggs, Sugar: Key components for light, airy cake structure with rich sweetness.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tender cake texture.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create soft crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Creates creamy, smooth buttercream base.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds rich, sweet flavor to buttercream.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes buttercream.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, complementary flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts buttercream consistency if needed.

• Chocolate Chips: Main component for smooth ganache.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create glossy chocolate ganache.
• Corn Syrup: Adds shine to ganache.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances ganache flavor.
• Pecans: Provides crunchy texture and nutty accent.
• Extra Caramel Sauce: Optional decorative drizzle.

How To Roll Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Just Right

Step 1: Create Delectable Cake Base

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F. Grab a jelly roll pan and lovingly line it with parchment paper, giving it a light grease kiss.

Whip eggs and sugar into a fluffy cloud using your mixer on high speed for 3-5 minutes until they transform into a pale, dreamy mixture.

• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Buttermilk

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with tender care. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly like a smooth canvas. Bake until cake bounces back when touched, about 10-12 minutes.

Step 2: Elegant Cake Rolling Technique

Spread a clean kitchen towel on your counter and dust with powdered sugar like soft snow.

Carefully flip hot cake onto towel, peel away parchment paper. Roll cake with towel from short end, creating a beautiful spiral. Let cool completely for one hour.

Step 3: Whip Up Luscious Caramel Buttercream

Beat butter until light and fluffy like a cloud.

• Caramel sauce
• Powdered sugar

Stir until silky smooth. Add vanilla extract and splash of heavy cream if needed for perfect consistency.

Step 4: Assemble Cake Masterpiece

Gently unroll cooled cake and spread caramel buttercream edge to edge.

Roll cake back up without towel, placing seam-side down on serving plate. Chill for 30 minutes to set filling.

Step 5: Create Decadent Chocolate Ganache

Heat heavy cream until steaming hot.

Pour over chocolate chips, letting sit for 2 minutes.

Stir until glossy and smooth.

• Corn syrup
• Vanilla extract

Allow to cool slightly.

Step 6: Final Stunning Decoration

Cascade ganache over cake roll, letting it drip dramatically.

Sprinkle with toasted pecans for crunch.

Optional: Drizzle extra caramel for indulgent touch.

Allow ganache to set for 30 minutes before slicing and serving your masterpiece.

Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate caramel turtle cake roll delights dessert enthusiasts with its indulgent spiral of rich chocolate and creamy caramel. Sweet pecans and silky ganache create a luxurious twist that promises pure pleasure for chocolate lovers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base:

• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup (170 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) buttermilk
• ¾ cup (90 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup caramel sauce
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Topping and Garnish:

• 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup (85 grams) toasted chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Extra caramel drizzle (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a meticulously greased jelly roll pan, lining it with parchment paper, and heat the oven to a precise 350F (175C).
2. Whip eggs and sugar vigorously until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous cream, approximately 3-5 minutes.
3. Incorporate vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk, blending until thoroughly integrated.
4. Sift dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt – then delicately fold into the liquid mixture.
5. Distribute batter evenly across the prepared pan, ensuring a uniform thickness. Bake until the surface springs back when gently pressed, roughly 10-12 minutes.
6. Prepare a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar on the countertop.
7. Immediately transfer the hot cake onto the towel, carefully removing the parchment paper. Gently roll the cake with the towel from its shorter edge, allowing complete cooling for approximately one hour.
8. Whip butter until it achieves a light, airy consistency.
9. Blend caramel sauce and powdered sugar into the butter, creating a smooth buttercream. Integrate vanilla extract, adjusting with heavy cream if necessary.
10. Carefully unroll the cooled cake and spread caramel buttercream in an even layer.
11. Reroll the cake without the towel, positioning it seam-side down. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to stabilize.
12. Warm heavy cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate chips. Allow to rest for two minutes before stirring to a silky consistency.
13. Introduce corn syrup and vanilla extract to the ganache, letting it cool slightly.
14. Lavishly coat the cake roll with ganache, ensuring complete coverage.
15. Garnish with toasted pecans and optional caramel drizzle.
16. Allow ganache to set for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a vegan-friendly version.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make this cake suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for smoother batter and better mixing consistency.
• Roll the cake while it’s still warm to prevent cracking and create a more flexible texture.
• Use a kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements to guarantee perfect cake texture.
• Cool the cake completely before adding buttercream to prevent melting and sliding.
• Dust the towel generously with powdered sugar to prevent the cake from sticking during initial roll.
• Chill the cake roll before applying ganache for cleaner, more professional-looking decoration.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg