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
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Recipe lightly altered from Nestlé Toll House
Aimee Shugarman says
May 6, 2013 at 1:12 AMOh my. This looks so decadent! Pinned.
Amber Brady says
May 6, 2013 at 8:41 PMThanks for pinning Aimee! & thanks for stopping by 🙂
Allison Miller says
May 6, 2013 at 2:54 PMThis looks amazing!!
Amber Brady says
May 6, 2013 at 8:42 PMOh it is! 🙂
Aimee @ Like Mother Like Daughter says
May 6, 2013 at 4:20 PMAmber, this looks seriously amazing. I love cheesecake and I love caramel and chocolate and I’m drooling over this. Yum!
Amber Brady says
May 6, 2013 at 8:42 PMYou should try it! It is pure decadence & crazy good!
Winnie says
May 6, 2013 at 6:19 PMIt 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
May 6, 2013 at 8:42 PMHow fun! Let me know if you make it & what you thought 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
May 6, 2013 at 8:59 PMWow 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
May 7, 2013 at 2:14 AMDo 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
May 6, 2013 at 10:11 PMI think I will make this for Mother’s Day–I know this mother would love it.
Amber Brady says
May 7, 2013 at 2:13 AMRequest it from one of your kids/grandkids 🙂 Mom’s shouldn’t make their own goodies on Mother’s Day!
Kim Vealey says
May 7, 2013 at 3:10 AMThis 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
May 7, 2013 at 7:14 PMOh my goodness this looks so sinful!! A great recipe for Mother’s Day!
Jocelyn says
May 8, 2013 at 6:39 PMThat is one beautiful looking cheesecake!!! I would love a huge slice with my coffee right now!!!
Crystelle Boutique says
May 9, 2013 at 4:56 PMThis 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
May 14, 2013 at 9:38 AM: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
May 14, 2013 at 1:40 PMMe 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
May 15, 2013 at 6:21 PMOh 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
May 18, 2013 at 2:02 AMOH 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
May 19, 2013 at 1:35 AMWelcome Danielle! Glad to have you!
Marlys says
July 31, 2013 at 12:10 AMThis sounds delicious.. I love cheesecake.. one of my favorite desserts. Found you over at food holiday link party.
kaytee roman says
March 9, 2017 at 6:15 PMi 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.