Turtle Cake from Scratch

This is a Turtle Cake recipe that makes the cake "from scratch" instead of using a box mix. It's a little time consuming but it is well worth it!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  cups flour
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 2⁄3 cups sugar
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 2⁄3 cup  unsweetened cocoa
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2⁄3 cup margarine, softened
• 3  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1 (14 ounce) bag  caramels
• 5⁄8 cup canned milk
• 2  cups chocolate chips, divided
• 2  cups pecans, chopped, divided

Directions

1. Combine all dry ingredients (except sugar); set aside.
2. Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
3. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with milk (not canned milk), just until blended.
4. Spread half of the batter in a greased and floured 9x13 pan. bake for 12-14 minutes in a 350°F oven.
5. Heat caramels and canned milk. Melt.
6. Pour caramel mixture over cake, spreading to the edges.
7. Sprinkle with 1 cup of chocolate chips and the 1 cup of the chopped pecans.
8. Spoon remaining batter over top, carefully spreading to the edges.
9. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips. Spread over cooled cake.
11. Sprinkle with the remaining pecans.
12. I like to serve this with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.