Cafe Latte’s Turtle Cake

If you’re a fan of rich, decadent desserts, this turtle cake is a must-try. Featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, a velvety chocolate frosting, crunchy toasted pecans, and gooey caramel, this treat is the ultimate indulgence. While coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, you won’t actually taste it—so even non-coffee lovers can enjoy! Whether for a special occasion or just to satisfy a chocolate craving, this cake is sure to impress.

Ingredients

Cake:

• Unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting pans)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk or sour milk
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups (350 g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) brewed hot coffee (or water as a substitute)

Frosting:

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
• 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter
• 12 oz (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate morsels (about 2 cups)
• 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) toasted pecan halves
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) caramel ice cream topping

Instructions

1. Grease three 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, grease again, and dust with unsweetened cocoa powder.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and oil.
3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the wet ingredients while mixing. Slowly beat in the hot coffee until well combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. The layers will appear shallow.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks, remove the parchment paper, and allow to cool completely.
7. For the frosting, combine sugar, milk, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
8. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate morsels until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, mix in 1-2 teaspoons of hot coffee.
9. Place the first cake layer top-side down on a serving plate. Spread one-third of the frosting over it, pushing it slightly past the edges. Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle with 1/4 cup (60 ml) caramel.
10. Repeat the process with the second cake layer, placing it top-side down.
11. Add the final layer, top-side up, and spread the remaining frosting over it. Garnish with pecans and drizzle with caramel.
12. Chill the cake for 1-2 hours before serving.

Pro Tip:

If you only have two cake pans, chill one-third of the batter while baking the first two layers. Once they’re done, clean and prepare a pan for the final layer.

This turtle cake is a true showstopper, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any occasion that calls for an unforgettable dessert. The rich chocolate layers, combined with crunchy pecans and smooth caramel, make every bite irresistible. Try it once, and it might just become a family favorite!