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Home » Recipes » Pie Recipes

Turtle Pie Recipe {No-Bake}

Published: Oct 14, 2023 · Modified: Oct 15, 2024 by Chef Dennis Littley

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My no-bake Turtle Pie has a decadent, creamy cheesecake-style filling with all of the chocolatey pecan and caramel goodness of the classic candy — and it’s all nestled in a crunchy Oreo crust.

If you’re a fan of traditional turtle candies, this easy turtle pie recipe is going to become your new favorite dessert.

Overhead view of whole turtle pie.


 

You can’t even imagine a more mouthwatering dessert recipe than this simple pie. It has all of the perfect textures, from the crumbly Oreo cookie crust and crunchy pecans to ooey-gooey caramel, silky chocolate, and a rich, creamy filling. 

While I love a lot of pies, from creamy Hoosier sugar cream pie and banana cream pie to a bright lemon cream pie and an indulgent French silk pie, this turtle pie may rate at the top of my pie list. Plus, while it’s amazing all on its own, you can also serve it with a scoop of ice cream, even more chocolate syrup, or even a drizzle of peanut butter sauce.

Slice of turtle pie with a fork taking a piece out.

The next time you’re looking for easy, no-bake recipes that are sure to wow a crowd, try making this simple yet delicious turtle pie recipe. This is bound to become one of your favorite desserts.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients to Make Turtle Pie Recipe
  • How to Make a Turtle Pie
  • How to make Salted Caramel Sauce
  • How to make chocolate sauce
  • How to Make an Oreo Pie Crust
  • How to make Turtle Pie Filling
  • How to Assemble a Turtle Pie
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Turtle Pie Recipe

Ingredients to Make Turtle Pie Recipe

Ingredients to make recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my turtle pie recipe. In chef speak, this is called the “mise en place,” which translates to “everything in its place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

How to Make a Turtle Pie

Start by making the Caramel and Chocolate Drizzle.

collage showing hot to make chocolate and caramel sauce.

How to make Salted Caramel Sauce

  • Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the sugar.
  • Stir the sugar until it melts. The sugar will clump together as it melts — continue whisking, and it will become a smooth, amber-colored sauce.
  • Add the butter pieces to the sauce and whisk until completely melted. *Use caution — the sugar is extremely hot and will bubble up as the butter is added.
  • After removing the pan from the heat, add the cream to the pan and stir until silky smooth before adding the salt and stirring to combine.

How to make chocolate sauce

  • Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate has melted. Stir the melted chocolate until smooth.

I use pieces of chocolate, but you can use chocolate chips, too. Use whatever you like or can find at the grocery store. Don’t be tempted to use store-bought chocolate sauce; it’s too thin and will spread out, ruining the appearance.

How to Make an Oreo Pie Crust

  • Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until they are fine crumbs.
  • Melt the butter.

If you don’t have a food processor, you can go old school and place the Oreos in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.

Collage showing how to make oreo crust.
  • Mix in melted butter.
  • Press the Oreo mixture into a pie plate, taking care to make sure that the pie crust is evenly pressed up the sides and along the bottom of the pie pan.
  • Refrigerate the chocolate cookie crust for 30 minutes so that it can set.

Not a fan of Oreos? You can use a graham cracker crust if you prefer.

How to make Turtle Pie Filling

Start by whipping the cream.

  • Pour heavy whipping cream into the large bowl of a stand mixer (or large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer) fitted with the whisk attachment.
  • On medium speed, beat the cream until you have stiff peaks. Keep refrigerated until needed.

If you’re really in a hurry, you can skip the cream whipping and use a store-bought version like Cool Whip, but the flavor is definitely superior when you make your own. Remember that cool-whip is sweetened, so cut back on the sugar in the recipe.

collage showing how to make filling.
  • Place the softened cream cheese in a separate large mixing bowl and whip until smooth and creamy. *Full-fat cream cheese works best. You can use a lower-fat option but using full-fat cream cheese gives the best flavor and texture.
  • Add the salted caramel, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the whipped cream cheese.
  • Continue to mix until the cream cheese mixture is silky smooth.
  • Use a rubber spatula to fold the whipped cream by hand into the cream cheese mixture.

How to Assemble a Turtle Pie

Collage showing how to assemble dessert.
  • Pour the pie filling into the prepared oreo cookie crust. Then, cover the turtle pie with plastic wrap and refrigerator for 4-6 hours to set up (overnight is best).
  • Then, remove it from the refrigerator and decorate the outside edge of the pie with whipped cream.
  • Do a generous drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the pie.
  • Drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top of the pie.
Whole turtle pie in white ceramic pie plate.
  • Add the chopped pecans to the top of the turtle cream pie.
  • Drizzle more salted caramel and melted chocolate over the top of the pecans.
  • Refrigerate the turtle pie for one hour before serving.

*For more of an ice cream texture to the pie, freeze the caramel turtle pie for 4 hours before slicing and serving.

Slice of turtle pie on a white plate.

Trust me when I say that this easy turtle pie recipe will make one of the best no-bake cheesecakes you’ve ever tasted. It’s the perfect dessert for dinner parties, family gatherings, or just to spoil your friends and family.

You can also make this dreamy, creamy turtle pie in a springform pan.

Recipe FAQ’s

What is turtle pie made of?

Turtle pie has the traditional ingredients of turtle candy — pecans, chocolate, and caramel. It has a luscious cream cheese filling and a crunchy Oreo crust. 

Why are desserts called turtle? 

Desserts with these ingredients and flavors are called turtle, based on the original candies that were made with chocolate, caramel, and pecan that actually looked like turtles.

Where were turtle candies invented?

Turtle candies were invented in the early 1900s in Chicago.

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    Best Banana Cream Pie Recipe
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Slice of turtle pie with a fork taking a piece out.

Turtle Pie Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
My no bake Turtle Pie has a decadent, creamy cheesecake-style filling with all of the chocolatey pecan and caramel goodness of the classic candy — an it’s all nestled in a crunchy Oreo crust.
5 from 45 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 582 kcal

Equipment

  • 9" pie plate

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Crust

  • 2 cups Oreos crushed – about 25 cookies
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter melted

Turtle Pie

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 16 oz. cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup salted caramel sauce
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Toppings

  • 2 tablespoon salted caramel sauce or use store bought
  • 2 tablespoon melted chocolate or use store bought chooclate syrup
  • 1 cup whipped cream homemade whipped cream recipe
  • ½ cup pecans chopped

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter  cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon  salt

Melted Chocolate

  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Place the Oreos in a food processor or blender and pulse until you have fine crumbs.
  • Melt the butter.
  • Add the melted butter to the Oreo crumbs and mix until well blended.
  • Add the Oreo mixture to a 9-inch pie pan.
  • Press the oreo mixture up the sides and along the bottom of the pie pan.
  • Place the pie shell in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the pie crust set.

Salted Caramel

  • Add the sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir the sugar constantly as it begins to melt. The sugar will clump together as it melts, keep whisking and as it continues to melt it will become a smooth, amber-colored sauce.
  • Add the butter pieces to the sauce and whisk until all the butter has melted.
    *Be careful the sugar is extremely hot and will bubble up as you add the butter.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream to the pan. Whisk until smooth.
  • Add the salt to the caramel mixture and whisk to combine.

Melted Chocolate

  • Add the chocolate pieces to a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Place the bowl uncovered in a microwave and microwave for 30 seconds at a time (Stir the chocolate after each microwave) until the chocolate has completely melted. Stir the melted chocolate until smooth.

Pie Filling

  • Add the heavy cream to the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl with hand mixer) fitted with the whisk attachment.
  • Beat the heavy cream on medium speed until you have stiff peaks. Keep refrigerated until needed.
  • Add the cream cheese to a large bowl, and using an electric mixer, whip on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the salted caramel, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the whipped cream cheese and mix until smooth and well combined.
  • Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and by hand gently fold the whipped cream into the pie filling using a rubber spatula until smooth and well combined.
  • Pour the pie filling into the prepared crust, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula.
  • Cover the turtle pie with plastic wrap and refrigerator for 4-6 hours to set up (overnight is best).

Assembly

  • When the turtle pie has chilled and is well set, remove it from the refrigerator.
  • Decorate the outside edge of the pie with whipped cream.
  • Drizzle the salted caramel and chocolate over the top of the pie.
  • Top the pie with the chopped pecans.
  • Drizzle more salted caramel and chocolate over the top of the pecans.
  • Refrigerate the turtle pie for one hour before serving.
    *For more of an ice cream texture to the pie, freeze the turtle pie for 4 hours before slicing and serving.

Notes

Make sure to keep this no bake turtle pie in refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. Return it to the fridge in an airtight container while not being served for up to five days.

Nutrition

Calories: 582kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 6gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 385mgPotassium: 208mgFiber: 2gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 1227IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 45 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beverly says

    April 11, 2024 at 6:43 am

    5 stars
    Hi Dennis, I made this and it is fabulous! I have made four of your recipes now and love them! My friends and family got treated for sure! Looking forward to trying more x

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      April 11, 2024 at 7:25 am

      Thanks for letting me know you’ve been enjoying my recipes Beverly. Turtle pie is one of my wife’s favorites.

      Reply
  2. Veronika says

    December 04, 2023 at 2:34 am

    5 stars
    The pie looks so fancy but it was surprisingly easy to make! Caramel and chocolate combo is always a hit and this pie was no different, everyone loved it!

    Reply
  3. Erin says

    December 03, 2023 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    This was such a tasty pie! Super easy and love all the flavors. Will make again for Christmas. Thanks a ton!

    Reply
  4. Tristin says

    December 03, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    It was so worth making this pie from scratch! It came out so much better than any frozen one I have had in the past. Delicious!!

    Reply
  5. Jacqueline Debono says

    December 03, 2023 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    Wow what a fantastic pie. I love that it’s no bake and easy to make. But best of all it’s seriously delish!

    Reply
  6. Alexandra says

    November 30, 2023 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    Chocolate, caramel and cream – this is the best dessert! My family all enjoyed it, and I loved how easy it was. Even better, being no bake, it kept the oven free for dinner!

    Reply
  7. Sharon says

    November 30, 2023 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    This turtle pie was so tasty and elegant, it was the perfect holiday dessert. I really like that it was no-bake too.

    Reply
  8. Cathleen says

    November 30, 2023 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    Turtle Pies have to be one of my favorite things about the holiday season, I was so excited to make this recipe and it came out amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, I LOVE no bake pies 🙂

    Reply
  9. veenaazmanov says

    November 28, 2023 at 8:30 pm

    5 stars
    No Bake sounded interesting, and it was every bit as good as I imagined! Love the Oreo Crust too.

    Reply
  10. Colleen says

    November 28, 2023 at 2:34 pm

    5 stars
    This turtle pie was a delicious, decadent treat and I’ll be making this recipe again and again. Thank you!

    Reply
  11. Yu says

    November 27, 2023 at 8:44 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was amazing!Turtle pie is my favorite and I usually buy it from the store, but your recipe was so much better!

    Reply
  12. Thomas K Nichols says

    November 11, 2023 at 11:05 am

    Looks great thanks for the recipes I’ll be making some of them.

    Reply
  13. Sue says

    November 05, 2023 at 10:27 am

    oh my gosh this sounds delicious and looks easy to make!
    I have been looking to find a dessert for Thanksgiving and this is the one !
    Many thanks !

    Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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