“I want cheesecake for my birthday! Can you make some…PLEEEEASE?”
This is the annual request that I get from Matthew on his birthday. It's a request that (most of the time) I am more than happy to oblige. The exception being last year when I decided to forgo making a birthday cheesecake—an unfortunate occurrence that he has reminded me of several times over the past year.
Having failed at my birthday cheesecake duty last year, I wanted to make something unique and special this year. It'll be hard to top my favorite which was a Sweet Potato Cheesecake that I made a couple of years ago. However, inspiration struck one day during my weekly grocery run to Meijer. OREO cookies are one of Matt's favorites, and I thought why not try and incorporate them into a cheesecake?!
This delectable cheesecake boasts an OREO cookie crust topped with a nutty layer of caramel and a classic cheesecake filling. Drizzles of melted chocolate and caramel-pecan sauce finish it off in style. This cheesecake takes a little more work than your basic recipe, but it's definitely worth the effort.
The Ultimate OREO Turtle Cheesecake
Makes approximately 12 servings
Ingredients
24 OREO cookies, finely crushed
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 (14 ounce) package caramels
½ cup whole milk
½ cup chopped pecans
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
Directions
Place racks in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch springform pan.
Microwave caramels and milk in a microwaveable bowl on high for 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Stir in nuts; pour half into crust. Refrigerate 10 minutes. Refrigerate remaining caramel mixture for later use.
Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over caramel layer in crust.
Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.
Microwave reserved caramel mixture 1 minute; stir. Pour over cheesecake. Melt chocolate; drizzle over cheesecake.
Heather's Helpful Hints
Be sure to use a cookie sheet under your springform pan when baking in the oven. The caramel may ooze out during baking and this way it won't get your oven dirty.
Stacy
Hello, would I have to modify anything if I only have a 10 inch pan? Thank you!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Hi Stacy! I haven't tried this recipe with a 10-inch pan but I think you'd probably be fine. I think the main thing you'd want to keep an eye on would be the baking time. It'll probably be a little less time in the oven. Take it out when the middle still jiggles just a little bit. The cake won't be quite as thick but the taste should be the same! I hope it turns out for you :-)
Stacy
Thank you! I’ll let you know. -Stacy
cookiesnchem
I am SO glad I discovered your blog! We have the same taste in food - okay, basically a sweet tooth - and I think your recipes are simple but beautifully-crafted and presented in the loveliest way possible. Amazing work!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Such kind words! I had to pop over to your blog to say "hello" and I love the nutritious take you have on all of your recipes. It's always a struggle for me to balance desserts and nutrition so it's inspiring to look at people that do it well. Looking forward to following more of your work!
cookiesnchem
Wow, that is really kind of you. Your sweet comment made me smile on a really grey, gloomy afternoon.
It's just that I have a massive sweet tooth and NEED a dessert after every meal! If only I didn't inherit such a sugar-loving gene from my Dad :P Do you have a sweet tooth?
Heather @ Sweet Precision
My sweet tooth comes from my dad to!! He always likes to eat dessert after dinner and I totally got that from him :)
The Hungry Mum
Cake of the day! This is epic - you must be very proud of this creation.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
So kind, thank you!! One bonus of the chocolate and caramel drizzles on top is that they hid a crack that I had in the cheesecake... it was a win win situation! ;)
Rebecca Alexandra
Wooow! Yummi.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you!! :)
Sherri
Mmmmm.. Happy Birthday to Matt! Heather, we're on the same wavelength; every year I make my middle son Nicky a Chocolate Dirt Cake. The 'dirt' is crushed oreos on top of cocoa fudge frosting, with gummy worms 'crawling' along the top. I've made it for him since he was eight years old and he's going to be 27 on Sunday. Still a big kid huh? Thanks for this wonderful recipe, and I wish you and Matt a very Happy Thanksgiving :-)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
If you can believe it, I LOVE chocolate dirt cake! I think the first time I had it I was in elementary school at a birthday party. Nicky is a lucky 'big kid' to get this for his birthday. My mom always makes a strawberry cake when we're together for my birthday. Aren't family traditions fun?!
Sherri
Haha..that's such a great coincidence Heather, love it! Strawberry cake is delicious...my daughter's favourite too! So much fun...Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow!
Lynz Real Cooking
this looks so good! I love pecans and caramel. Gorgeous photo as well!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Lynn! Who can argue with that combo?! Pecans are definitely one of my favorite nuts to slip into holiday desserts :)
Lynz Real Cooking
Oh no way not me! I love this and pinned it to try
Jasline @ Foodie Baker
Absolutely loving the drizzle of chocolate and caramel on top of the cheesecake, looks super duper delicious!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Yes! Thank you :) Who can argue with chocolate and caramel drizzled over anything?!?! ;)
chef mimi
I'm not much for desserts, but boy, does this look good!!!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you! I'm quite relieved that we finally froze what was left because it was tempting me to take a piece every time I opened the refrigerator ;)
chef mimi
I completely understand!!!
Jan Clayton
Thank you for a new cheesecake recipe Heather! I used to make turtle cheese cake years ago. Don't think I know where the recipe is. It was a chocolate swirl cheesecake with the same toppings. I've been making the sweet potato cheesecake ever since you posted it. Thinking of making it for Thanksgiving. Thanks to Matt I can get new recipes. And I love Oreos too! Great cousins think alike! LOL!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Hi Jan! It's so good to hear from you :) I'm so glad to hear that you've been using that sweet potato cheesecake recipe, it's one of my favorites! I looove the idea of a chocolate swirl cheesecake...drool. I am a complete chocoholic! Hope that all is well with you and the family and happy (early) Thanksgiving!!
MOM
Oh my goodness. Yummm... Another use for caramel too. Did it taste as wonderful as it looks?
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Well I only had a tiny bite because of all the dairy but it was VERY delicious! Now we have extra caramel left over :)
MOM
Hmmmm. Could we figure out a use for it some weekend soon? I offer my assistance if you need.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Well... I don't think it will last that long :)
Kristelle Hicks
Looks AMAZING!!! Happy Birthday, Matt!! :)
Sent from my iPhone
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Heather @ Sweet Precision
Awww... thank you!!