Slice of chocolate bourbon pecan pie drizzled with caramel and topped with pecans on a white plate.

Decadent Turtle Brownie Cheesecake

by

Fudgy, creamy & irresistibly indulgent

Meet your new favorite dessert: Decadent Turtle Brownie Cheesecake the perfect blend of gooey brownies, creamy cheesecake, and caramel-chocolate heaven. Every bite delivers layers of fudgy brownie base, velvety cheesecake filling, and gooey caramel drizzle, topped with crunchy pecans and rich chocolate ganache. It’s the ultimate indulgence elegant enough for celebrations, yet easy enough for a weekend treat. From Emma’s Cake Studio, this decadent showstopper is what happens when brownies meet cheesecake and decide to get dressed up for dessert perfection.

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Bake Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cooling + Chilling: 4 hours (minimum)
  • Total Time: ~6 hours (mostly inactive time)
  • Servings: 12–14 slices

Ingredients List

Brownie Base

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Turtle Topping

  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (melted)
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • Optional garnish: extra caramel drizzle or whipped cream

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Saucepan (for melting chocolate or caramel)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. Prepare the base:
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
    Mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Spread batter evenly in pan.
  2. Bake the brownie layer:
    Bake 18–20 minutes or until set. Let cool slightly while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
  3. Make the cheesecake layer:
    In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Mix in sour cream and vanilla.
  4. Assemble:
    Pour cheesecake mixture over cooled brownie base. Smooth the top.
  5. Bake:
    Place the springform pan in a larger baking dish. Pour hot water into the outer dish halfway up the sides (water bath method).
    Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 55–65 minutes, until center is just set and slightly jiggly.
  6. Cool:
    Turn off oven and crack the door open. Let cheesecake cool in oven for 1 hour. Then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. ❄️
  7. Top it off:
    Once chilled, drizzle with warm caramel and melted chocolate. Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top. 🐢✨
  8. Serve:
    Slice with a warm knife (wipe clean between cuts) and enjoy the ultimate turtle cheesecake experience!

Pro Tips

  • Water bath trick: Wrap the springform pan in foil to prevent leaks.
  • Perfect texture: Don’t overmix your cheesecake batter it prevents cracks.
  • Chill overnight: The flavors and texture improve as it sets.
  • Presentation upgrade: Add a dollop of whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel just before serving.

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 slice4806g48g30g2g38g