Rich, chocolatey, and irresistibly indulgent—this Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll is a dessert that steals the spotlight. A soft chocolate sponge cake is rolled with creamy caramel filling, drizzled with luscious chocolate, and topped with crunchy pecans for that signature “turtle” flavor combination. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any occasion where you want to impress, this cake roll is as elegant as it is delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Show-Stopping Dessert: Elegant spiral with gooey caramel layers.
Decadent Flavors: Chocolate, caramel, and pecans come together beautifully.
Perfect for Celebrations: A festive treat that looks bakery-worthy.
Balanced Indulgence: Rich and sweet, yet portion-friendly when sliced.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
For the Caramel Filling:
- ½ cup light cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup caramel sauce (light or homemade)
- ½ cup whipped cream (or light whipped topping)
For the Topping:
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
- ¼ cup caramel sauce, warmed
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
2. Make the Chocolate Batter
In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet until smooth.
3. Bake the Cake
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched lightly.
4. Roll the Cake
Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Invert the warm cake onto the towel and carefully peel away parchment. Roll the cake (with towel inside) starting from the short end. Let cool completely.
5. Prepare the Filling
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add caramel sauce and blend well. Fold in whipped cream until fluffy.
6. Assemble the Roll
Unroll cooled cake and spread caramel filling evenly. Roll it back up tightly without the towel. Place seam side down on a platter.
7. Add Toppings
Drizzle melted chocolate and warm caramel sauce over the top. Sprinkle generously with chopped pecans.
8. Serve
Chill for 30 minutes for cleaner slices, then cut into 10–12 pieces and enjoy!

Nutritional Information
Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 10g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Tips for Success
- Roll While Warm: Rolling the cake while it’s hot prevents cracks.
- Use Good Caramel: Homemade or high-quality store-bought caramel elevates the flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Makes slicing neat and mess-free.
- Add Extra Crunch: For more texture, fold some pecans into the filling.
Why This Recipe Works
This cake roll combines everything you love about turtle candies—chocolate, caramel, and pecans—into a stunning dessert. The light sponge balances the gooey filling, while the toppings add crunch and decadence. It’s indulgent yet portion-friendly, making it perfect for sharing at gatherings.
The Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll is the ultimate dessert for celebrations—rich, gorgeous, and undeniably delicious. With its gooey caramel center, decadent chocolate drizzle, and nutty pecan crunch, each slice delivers the perfect balance of flavors and textures. A true showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to make!
Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll – A Decadent Showstopper
10-12
servings25
minutes12
minutes220
kcal45
minutesRich, chocolatey, and irresistibly indulgent—this Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll is a dessert that steals the spotlight. A soft chocolate sponge cake is rolled with creamy caramel filling, drizzled with luscious chocolate, and topped with crunchy pecans for that signature “turtle” flavor combination. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any occasion where you want to impress, this cake roll is as elegant as it is delicious.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
3 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
For the Caramel Filling:
½ cup light cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ cup caramel sauce (light or homemade)
½ cup whipped cream (or light whipped topping)
For the Topping:
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
¼ cup caramel sauce, warmed
½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. - Make the Chocolate Batter
In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet until smooth. - Bake the Cake
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched lightly. - Roll the Cake
Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Invert the warm cake onto the towel and carefully peel away parchment. Roll the cake (with towel inside) starting from the short end. Let cool completely. - Prepare the Filling
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add caramel sauce and blend well. Fold in whipped cream until fluffy. - Assemble the Roll
Unroll cooled cake and spread caramel filling evenly. Roll it back up tightly without the towel. Place seam side down on a platter. - Add Toppings
Drizzle melted chocolate and warm caramel sauce over the top. Sprinkle generously with chopped pecans. - Serve
Chill for 30 minutes for cleaner slices, then cut into 10–12 pieces and enjoy!
Notes
- Roll While Warm: Rolling the cake while it’s hot prevents cracks.
Use Good Caramel: Homemade or high-quality store-bought caramel elevates the flavor.
Chill Before Serving: Makes slicing neat and mess-free.
Add Extra Crunch: For more texture, fold some pecans into the filling.