If you are confused why this is an {Almost} Turtle Cheesecake I will clear that up for you right now. It has all the components of a Turtle Cheesecake: the chocolate, the caramel, but it’s missing the nuts, so it’s ALMOST a Turtle Cheesecake. Get it?! Okay…
I actually made this for my brother’s birthday. He requested the cheesecake & I always love the chance to make a perfect cheesecake (no cracks on top–my perfect cheesecake technique is in the directions or step-by-step photos can be found HERE.) And because my brother doesn’t like nuts, I omitted them, but if you like nuts, just add them to the top of this cheesecake.
I must say I have never made a baked cheesecake with sweetened condensed milk, but the batter was super delicious! Who doesn’t like to eat sweetened condensed milk straight from the can, or freshly made? OR tasting any batter for that matter? I am a bowl licker for sure… Anyway, I think this cooked a little faster having used the sweetened condensed milk, but regardless, this is a deliciously decadent cheesecake that you will love!
{Almost} Turtle Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups chocolate graham crackers (about 14 crackers or 1 1/2 sleeves of chocolate grahams)
- 1/3 cup butter, about 14 crackers or 1 1/2 sleeves of chocolate grahams
- 3 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (9oz) semi-sweet chocolate morsels/chips
- 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup or ice cream topping
- 2 Tbsp caramel syrup or ice cream topping
- 1/4 cup MINI semi-sweet chocolate morsels/chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans (This makes a Turtle Cheesecake, omit for an Almost Turtle Cheesecake.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300*F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Cover the bottom & up the sides of the pan with foil.
- Combine chocolate crumbs & butter in a medium bowl. Press onto the bottom & 1-inch up the sides of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Beat cream cheese & sweetened condensed milk in a large mixer bowl until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lime juice, & vanilla extract; beat until combined.
- Microwave 1½ cups morsels in a medium, uncovered microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100% power) for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave an additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
- Stir 2 cups of cheesecake batter into melted morsels; mix well (this will be REALLY thick.) Alternately spoon batters into crust beginning & ending with yellow batter.
- Place foil wrapped springform pan in the center of a large-rimmed baking sheet. Place into oven. Fill the baking sheet full of water, surrounding the cheesecake. Close oven & bake for 70 to 75 minutes or until the edge is set. Keep the door closed. Turn off the oven & allow to rest for 2-3 hours with the oven door still closed.
- Remove cheesecake from oven & allow to finish cooling at room temperature. Once cool, run a warm knife around the edge of the cheesecake. Drizzle chocolate & caramel syrups over the top & sprinkle with mini morsels (& nuts if desired.)
- Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Remove sides of pan, slice using a hot knife, running the knife under hot water in-between passes.
Recipe Notes
© DESSERT NOW DINNER LATER All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-create the recipe, snap YOUR OWN PHOTO and re-write the recipe in YOUR OWN WORDS, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Recipe lightly altered from Nestlé Toll House
Aimee Shugarman says
Oh my. This looks so decadent! Pinned.
Amber Brady says
Thanks for pinning Aimee! & thanks for stopping by 🙂
Allison Miller says
This looks amazing!!
Amber Brady says
Oh it is! 🙂
Aimee @ Like Mother Like Daughter says
Amber, this looks seriously amazing. I love cheesecake and I love caramel and chocolate and I’m drooling over this. Yum!
Amber Brady says
You should try it! It is pure decadence & crazy good!
Winnie says
It looks HEAVENLY !!
We are celebrating “Shavuot” in a few days, a holiday in which we eat dairy-food.
This a fabulous cake for this holiday 🙂
Amber Brady says
How fun! Let me know if you make it & what you thought 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wow Amber! This looks AMAZING! We were just at Cheesecake Factory this weekend and DIDN’T order any cheesecake…I may have to make up for that with this beauty!
Amber Brady says
Do it! Haha. How can you go to Cheesecake Factory & not get cheesecake? I actually haven’t been there, but when I finally go, I am getting some cheesecake!!! Haha.
Cindy says
I think I will make this for Mother’s Day–I know this mother would love it.
Amber Brady says
Request it from one of your kids/grandkids 🙂 Mom’s shouldn’t make their own goodies on Mother’s Day!
Kim Vealey says
This is perfect!! No nuts in our house, just the ones in our heads :o) It came out beautifully.
Stopping by from Tasteful Tuesday, have a great week!!
Christi says
Oh my goodness this looks so sinful!! A great recipe for Mother’s Day!
Jocelyn says
That is one beautiful looking cheesecake!!! I would love a huge slice with my coffee right now!!!
Crystelle Boutique says
This looks so super delicious! I may have to make this for mothers day for myself. Now if it came with zero calories, that would really make my day!!!
Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipe, my friend! Happy mothers day!!..… 🙂
hugs xx
Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
anyonita green says
:O you’ve done it again, girl! This looks AMAZING! Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers!
anyonita green says
Me again (lol), just popping by to say: This lovely post has been featured on this week’s Tasty Tuesdays! I’m also following you socially! 🙂 I’d love it if you could grab a featured button for your blog!
Krista Low says
Oh my good grief! You are trying to kill me! This looks amazing. This will be featured tomorrow on Great Idea Thursday’s! I’m in love with Almost Turtle Cheesecake already 🙂 Krista @ A Handful of Everything
Danielle Reeves says
OH my goodness, saw this featured on Six Sisters Stuff and was instantly craving it! Delish 🙂 New follower! Can’t wait to see what other tasty treats you have to share 😀
Danielle @ BusyMomsHelper.com
Amber Brady says
Welcome Danielle! Glad to have you!
Marlys says
This sounds delicious.. I love cheesecake.. one of my favorite desserts. Found you over at food holiday link party.
kaytee roman says
i think it would be more helpful if people would comment if they have tried it rather than commenting on pictures/images. It would compliment the baker/author and it is a testimonial.