This easy no bake Turtle Pie recipe has a chocolate Oreo cookie crust, caramel cream cheese filling, topped with chocolate ganache, homemade salted caramel sauce, toasted pecans and whipped cream. Add a few cherries if you like too, I know I do!
If you love a no-bake pie with Oreo crust, Chocolate Silk Pie is right up your alley!
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Pie is another decadent pie I like to serve in the warm months. This cream pie works well in the summer months and for holidays!
What Is Turtle Pie?
Have you ever had Edward's Turtle Pie from the grocery store before? Or store bought or homemade turtle candies?
This is a re-creation of the store bought chocolate Turtle Pie you've had but this recipe is even better! You can't beat homemade.
This no bake pie recipe has a chocolate cookie crust with a smooth caramel cream cheese filling, similar to a no bake caramel cheesecake, topped with chocolate ganache sauce, homemade caramel sauce, toasted pecans and whipped cream.
I add cherries to the top of mine because it reminds me of a Turtle Sundae from Culver's. Use extra cherries to make the best chocolate covered cherries!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's decadent: This is one decadent dessert, including easy caramel sauce that everyone will love!
- No bake: You need a few no bake dessert recipes up your sleeve for days when you don't want to turn on the oven or you just want something with less effort.
- Make ahead: This Turtle Pie recipe can be made ahead up to 48 hours. That means more time to get yourself ready and relax. The same goes for pumpkin pie with graham cracker crust!
Recipe Ingredients
- Oreos: I use regular chocolate Oreos for the pie crust. Use leftover Oreos for Chocolate Raspberry Tart!
- Unsalted Butter: I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level myself.
- Kosher Salt: I'm partial to Diamond Crystal kosher salt. If using Morton's kosher salt then reduce salt amounts by 25%.
- Cream Cheese: Full fat cream cheese has the best flavor, Philadelphia is the best brand out there.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is the way to go.
- Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to make a quick and easy caramel sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy whipping cream gets added to the salted caramel sauce and chocolate ganache.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: Use a good quality chocolate to make the ganache. A chocolate bar or chocolate chips work. Dark chocolate works too.
- Pecans: What's a Turtle Pie without pecans? I toast the pecans to bring out a bit more flavor. I use whole pecans but pecan halves or chopped pecans work too.
- Whipped Cream: I use Cool Whip in this recipe for ease, plus I like the taste. You can make homemade whipped cream with heavy whipping cream.
- Cherries: Add a few Maraschino cherries to the top! This is optional but delicious and gives you that sundae look.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- The crust: Feel free to use gluten-free, golden Oreos, or any other variety! You can change up the flavor of the pie with the numerous options out there.
- Chocolate ganache: If you have a favorite chocolate sauce, chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce, it can be used on top of the pie. I am partial to a chocolate ganache on this Turtle Pie but the other sauces work too.
- Caramel sauce: Store bought caramel sauce can be used in this pie recipe. Also note, if you have leftover of the homemade caramel sauce, it can be used in my Turtle Cookies recipe.
- Whipped cream: Homemade whipped cream may be used in place of Cool Whip. Beat until you have stiff peaks before piping if making homemade.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Turtle Pie
Step 1: Prepare homemade caramel and set aside.
Step 2: Crush Oreos, blend with butter and salt and press into your pie dish to form the crust.
Step 3: Beat cream cheese with caramel to create filling.
Step 4: Spread cheesecake filling in crust and chill.
Step 5: Make ganache and whipped cream and garnish as desired.
Step 6: After chilling, slice and serve!
Expert Baking Tips
- Make the homemade caramel sauce ahead of time, up to 5 days. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Make the whole pie up to 48 hours ahead of time. Store in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap or covered with a pie container.
- Don't skip out on chilling the Oreo cookie crust. This helps it hold together after the filling is added.
- Make sure you chill the finished pie for at least 2 hours for it to set. Overnight is best.
- Do not use the homemade caramel sauce while it's hot. This will ruin the consistency of the filling. Cool it to room temperature or slightly warmer before using.
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature first. Softened cream cheese works best.
- Frozen turtle pie is delicious too, hint hint. Store it in the freezer!
- Use the rest of the bag of pecans to make Pecan Pie Cobbler!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, it does. Refrigerate Turtle Pie until serving time. It's best served chilled. You want to keep this pie stored in the fridge because of the dairy ingredients. Cover with aluminum foil, plastic wrap or an air tight container.
Have you ever had a Turtle candy? Turtle Pie tastes just like that but creamier! It's a mix of chocolates, toasted pecan, caramel and smooth creamy filling.
Wondering how to store turtle pie? Turtle Pie will last up to 5 days in the fridge, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month, double wrapped with plastic wrap then an additional layer of heavy duty foil. Gingerbread Cream Pie can be stored the same way in the fridge or freezer!
You sure can! This Turtle Pie recipe can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time then stored in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. I like to add my whipped cream right before serving so I don't ruin the appearance with plastic wrap.
Yes they are! This is a question I get asked all the time. It's just a difference in labeling, you can grab either container!
More Decadent Pie Recipes
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📖Recipe
Turtle Pie
Equipment
- 1 pie pan
- 2 small sauce pots
Ingredients
Oreo Crust
- 28 Oreos
- 6 tbs unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Caramel Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese room temp
- ¾ cup caramel sauce
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 oz cool whip
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Chocolate Ganache
- ¼ cup bittersweet chocolate good quality
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Additional Toppings
- ½ cup toasted pecans
- 1 cup cool whip
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- 8 Maraschino cherries optional
Instructions
Make Cookie Crust
- Blend Oreos and salt in food processor until you have a fine crumb. Pour in melted butter then mix on low for 10 seconds
- Pour cookie crust into pie dish then firmly press down middle and sides. Chill crust in fridge while making the filling
Making Caramel Filling
- Blend cream cheese for 1 minute in a medium mixing bowl
- Mix in ¾ cup caramel and vanilla on low until fully combined. Turn mixer to medium-high speed and blend an additional minute
- Fold in whipped cream
- Spread filling evenly into chilled pie crust then return pie to the fridge for 2-24 hours
Toast Pecans
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Toast the pecans on a sheet tray for 5-10 minutes in the oven until golden brown
Make Caramel Sauce
- Place sugar in a large pot, evenly spread over the bottom of the pan over low-medium heat. Sugar will start to melt and turn brown, swirl pan around - DO NOT STIR
- Once sugar is fully melted, whisk in butter. It will sputter, this is normal. Keep stirring until it calms down and is smooth
- Add heavy cream. There will be a lot of sputtering again. Turn off heat, continue stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool
Make Chocolate Ganache
- Heat heavy cream to a slight simmer. Do not boil. Pour warm cream over the top of bittersweet chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set a timer for 5 minutes
- After 5 minutes, remove the plastic wrap and slowly stir together with a spoon until smooth. This may take a minute
Adding Toppings
- Add toasted pecans around the outside rim of the pie
- Place caramel and chocolate ganache into separate pastry bags with small tips or quart sized Ziploc bags. If using a plastic bag, cut a small opening in one of the bottom corners. Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the pie then do the same with the caramel sauce
- Pipe whipped cream around the edges of the pie and add cherries if you like. Serve chilled
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