Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No Bake Turtle Pie is a decadent dessert that brings together a crunchy cookie crust, creamy chocolate filling, rich caramel, and chopped pecans—all finished with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. With no oven required, this indulgent pie is perfect for holidays, celebrations, or any time you want a crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
chocolate cookie crust (store-bought or homemade)cream cheeseconfectioners’ sugarsour cream or whipped toppingmilk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolateheavy creamcaramel saucechopped pecanschocolate syrup or ganachevanilla extractsalt
directions
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar, sour cream (or whipped topping), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until creamy.
Melt chocolate with heavy cream until smooth. Let it cool slightly, then fold into the cream cheese mixture.
Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce over the bottom of the cookie crust.
Sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over the caramel.
Spoon the chocolate filling into the crust and smooth the top.
Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the filling and top with remaining pecans.
Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until set.
Before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup or ganache for the final turtle pie finish.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields 8 slices.Preparation time: 20 minutesChilling time: 4 hoursTotal time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Variations
Use a graham cracker or shortbread crust for a different base.
Add a layer of crushed toffee bits between the caramel and filling.
Use dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
Top with whipped cream or chocolate shavings for extra flair.
Make individual pies in mini tart shells for personal servings.
storage/reheating
Store No Bake Turtle Pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.Do not freeze, as the texture may be affected.Best served chilled directly from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel?
Yes, jarred caramel sauce works great for this recipe.
What kind of chocolate is best?
Milk or semi-sweet chocolate both work—choose your preferred sweetness.
Is it overly sweet?
It’s rich but balanced, especially if using semi-sweet chocolate and salted caramel.
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely—make it the day before and keep it chilled until serving.
Does it slice cleanly?
Yes, once chilled thoroughly, it slices neatly with a sharp knife.
Can I use whipped topping instead of sour cream?
Yes, it creates a lighter texture in the filling.
Do I need to bake the crust?
No, use a no-bake chocolate cookie crust or prepare your own and chill.
Can I use different nuts?
Pecans are classic, but walnuts or almonds can be substituted.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free cream cheese, chocolate, and whipped topping alternatives.
How long should it chill?
At least 4 hours, or overnight for the best structure.
Conclusion
No Bake Turtle Pie is a rich, creamy, and luxurious dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. With its classic turtle combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans, every bite is indulgent and satisfying. Perfect for entertaining or treating yourself, this pie is guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.
PrintNo Bake Turtle Pie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No Bake Turtle Pie is a rich and indulgent dessert made with a chocolate cookie crust, creamy caramel-chocolate filling, and topped with pecans, more caramel, and chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made chocolate cookie crust (9-inch)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Additional melted chocolate for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, caramel sauce, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the whipped topping until fully incorporated.
- Spread the filling evenly into the chocolate cookie crust.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until set.
- Before serving, drizzle more melted chocolate if desired and garnish with extra pecans or whipped topping.
Notes
- Use high-quality caramel for the best flavor.
- This pie can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle chocolate for a neat finish.