Decadent Turtle Cake

Name: Decadent Turtle Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12-16 serving(s)
Ingredients: unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 egg, slightly beaten; 1 cup buttermilk (see note) or 1 cup sour milk (see note); 2/3 cup cooking oil; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 3/4 cups sugar; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee; 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup milk; 6 tablespoons butter; 2 cups semisweet chocolate; 2 tablespoons hot coffee; 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted; 3/4 cup purchased caramel ice cream topping

Submitted by GoldsmithLissa

"Wonderfully decadent turtle cake! Needs 1-2 hr cool time."

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Ready In:: 55mins
Ingredients:: 17
Serves:: 12-16

ingredients

unsweetened cocoa powder
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk (see note) or 1 cup sour milk (see note)
²⁄₃ cup cooking oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ³⁄₄ cups sugar
¹⁄₂ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
1 cup sugar
¹⁄₂ cup milk
6 tablespoons butter
2 cups semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons hot coffee
1 ¹⁄₂ cups pecan halves, toasted
³⁄₄ cup purchased caramel ice cream topping

directions

Grease three 9-inch cake pans*. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper; dust with unsweetened cocoa powder. Set pans aside.
2. In a small bowl, stir together egg, buttermilk and cooking oil; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, beating with an electric mixer until combined. Gradually beat in hot coffee. Pour batter into prepared pans; spread evenly. (Layers will appear shallow.).
3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cakes on a wire racks for 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pans, then invert cakes on racks. Remove cakes from pans. Peel off paper; cool thoroughly.
4. When the cakes are cool, make the Chocolate Frosting. Place 1 cake layer, top-side down, onto a serving plate. Using an icing spatula or wide knife, work quickly to frost the top of this layer with one-third of the frosting, pushing it out slightly from edges to make ripple or petal effect. Arrange one-third of the pecans on top and drizzle with 1/4 cup of the ice cream topping. Top with the second layer, top-side down. Repeat with frosting, pecans and caramel topping. Top with the third layer, right side up. Repeat with remaining frosting, pecans and caramel topping.
Frosting: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and milk. Add butter. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add semisweet chocolate pieces. Using a wire whisk, mix until smooth.
If frosting is too thick or grainy, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly brewed hot coffee.
Chill cake 1 to 2 hours before serving.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

GoldsmithLissa

212

I am university student and quasi-housewife to my workaholic significant other, who is a phenomenal cook and serious foodie as well.  We enjoy undertaking complicated cooking projects to help wind down after a long day...most days we don't get to eat until close to midnight, thanks to his work schedule, our gym time, and our cooking projects.  Our current food interests have been on curries, steak, shellfish, and healthy desserts.  The ethnic theme has mostly been Indian and Creole. We like incorporating a lot of spice and experimenting with rare or exotic ingredients. But we enjoy our wine (we keep a journal) and time together as we cook.  When time allows, we will enjoy a nice after-dinner drink (tailored to our dessert choice of course), usually a spicy sipping rum like Zaya or Zacapa or a glass of cognac or tawny port.  So we enjoy experimenting with desserts to suit or incorporate various spirits or dessert wines.  And trying to find some healthy options so we can enjoy our wine or *****tail with a little less guilt!  But we do love to indulge!  And love entertaining family and friends to sample new creations or enjoy some our famous concontions.  Currently, I am experimenting with creating a recipe list that incorporates the philosophy of the best facets of different diet plans while maximizing the benefits of combining the nutritional content of the foods with the health benefits of various spices in order to create nutritionally balanced meals.  Just for fun and some interested friends.  I'll create a recipe list when I have made more progress.

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