I found the recipe in Family Circle magazine (I don't have any other information about the actual issue because I cut out the recipe and tossed the rest). So anyway, I think it's safe to share.
Doubt you will be disappointed, so so good!
turtle cake
makes: 16 servings prep: 30 minutes bake: at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes
cake: 1 egg 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk* 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup hot brewed coffee
topping: 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup milk 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup prepared caramel topping 1 cup toasted pecans, crushed (see Note)
1. cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. combine egg, oil and buttermilk in a small bowl. in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, and baking soda and salt. beat egg mixture into dry ingredients; continue beating until well blended. slowly stir in the hot coffee.
3. place mixture into prepared pan. bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. cool on wire rack.
4. topping: mix sugar and milk in heavy saucepan until sugar is dissolved. add butter and bring to a boil. remove from heat. place chocolate chips in a bowl; pour hot mixture on top. stir until smooth.
5. spread warm chocolate topping over cooled cake. drizzle caramel topping over frosting; sprinkle with crushed pecans.
note: toast pecans on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for 8 minutes
per serving: 478 calories; 24 g fat (7 g. sat.); 5 g protein 67 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 430 mg sodium; 24 mg cholesterol.
personal note - baking the pecans was too long for mine. just put them in and keep checking them. wing it.
*a substitute that worked great for me was 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar. let stand for 5 minutes, good as buttermilk ;)
hope you love it. enjoy!
xo, erika
p.s. - turtle cake gets its name from a candy. the candy is usually caramel with pecans in it and the cluster is coated in chocolate. and that, is called a turtle.
p.p.s - if you make it, please write me and let me know how it turned out.