Delicious Chocolate Cake Roll Packed with Caramel and Pecans

As seen on: Delicious Dessert Recipes

When chocolate, caramel, and pecans come together in this Turtle Cake Roll, it's magic. You get a tender chocolate sponge wrapped around gooey caramel and nuts, all finished with a silky ganache. Makes special events extra sweet.

emilyscooks.com
Shared By Emily
Last revised on Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:07:28 GMT
Chocolate cake roll stuffed with caramel, covered in chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with nuts. Save this
Chocolate cake roll stuffed with caramel, covered in chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with nuts. | emilyscooks.com

One rainy afternoon I whipped up this Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll just to treat myself. Now, I can't make it without people asking for seconds. Chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans make every slice a hit. My family actually races for the last piece. If you want a real showstopper for dessert, this is the one.

Irresistible Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll

There's seriously nothing like that sweet moment when melty caramel cozies up with rich chocolate cake and roasted pecans. Trust me, my friends beam with joy at the first bite. It might look tricky but it's totally simple. I can't count the number of times I've baked this and it's never let me down. Want an easy win? Make it ahead and relax when guests arrive.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

  • For The Topping: Make sure you have heavy cream and some semi sweet chocolate chips handy for that glossy ganache. Keep some pecans around to sprinkle on top!
  • For That Creamy Filling: You're gonna need a rich caramel sauce plus fresh pecans for that nutty bite.
  • For Your Cake Roll: Stock up on all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and your regular kitchen salt. Also grab 4 eggs, some sugar, vegetable oil, and good vanilla extract.
Chocolate cake roll stuffed with sticky caramel and covered in chocolate ganache and chopped nuts. Save this
Chocolate cake roll stuffed with sticky caramel and covered in chocolate ganache and chopped nuts. | emilyscooks.com

Common Questions

→ What's making my cake crack as I roll it up?

If your cake cracks, it's probably cooled off too much before you start to roll. Try rolling it up while it's still toasty so it doesn't break on you.

→ Is it okay to prep this cake in advance?

Totally! You can make it a couple days before you need it. Keep it in the fridge, covered, then let it sit out so it's not too cold when you serve.

→ Can I stash this cake in the freezer?

Go for it! It'll last up to two months in the freezer. Wrap it snug in plastic and foil, and just defrost in the fridge overnight when you're ready to eat.

→ Stuck without caramel sauce—what now?

No worries! Either grab caramel sauce from the store or melt some caramel candies with a splash of cream until they're smooth and pourable.

→ Can I swap out the pecans for other nuts?

Pecans are classic, but feel free to use walnuts or even almonds instead. Just chop them up finely so they mix in well.

Turtle Chocolate Roll

A soft chocolate roll stuffed with layers of caramel and pecans, finished with a dreamy ganache. Perfect for when you want to impress or just spoil yourself.

Preparation Time
30 Minutes
Cooking Time
15 Minutes
Overall Time
45 Minutes
Shared By: Emily

Meal Type: Desserts

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Style: American

Makes: 10 Portions (10 slices)

Special Diet: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll Need

01 items Extra pecan halves to decorate.
02 items 1 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet.
03 items 1/2 cup heavy cream.
04 items 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
05 items 1/2 cup caramel sauce.
06 items 1 tsp vanilla extract.
07 items 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
08 items 1 cup sugar.
09 items 4 eggs, large.
10 items 1/4 tsp salt.
11 items 1 tsp baking powder.
12 items 1/2 cup cocoa powder.
13 items 1 cup plain flour.

Steps To Make It

Step 01

Don't cut until it sits for a bit.

Step 02

Pop some whole pecans on at the end.

Step 03

Drizzle ganache all over the roll.

Step 04

Pour hot cream on chocolate chips, give it 2 minutes, then stir till smooth.

Step 05

Warm the cream so it just starts to bubble.

Step 06

Roll it right back up, this time skip the paper.

Step 07

Drop the pecan pieces across the caramel layer.

Step 08

Once unrolled, slather on the caramel.

Step 09

While it’s warm, roll up the cake with parchment and let it cool.

Step 10

Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes.

Step 11

Pour and spread your batter onto the sheet you prepped.

Step 12

Add the dry stuff to the wet stuff and mix only as much as you need to.

Step 13

Splash in the oil and vanilla right into the eggs and sugar.

Step 14

Whip eggs and sugar together until they look light and airy.

Step 15

Stir the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together.

Step 16

Cover your baking sheet in parchment, then oil it up.

Step 17

Crank the oven to 350°F to get it hot.

Extra Notes

  1. Rolling while it's still hot makes cracking less likely.
  2. If you want neat slices, use your sharpest knife.
  3. It's tastiest at room temp.

Essential Tools

  • Sheet pan.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Hand mixer.
  • Small pot.

Allergen Info

Review ingredients carefully for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy (cream).
  • Nuts (pecans).
  • Wheat (plain flour).

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Keep in mind, this data is an estimate and not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat Content: 18 grams
  • Total Carbs: 45 grams
  • Protein Content: 6 grams