No Bake Turtle Pie with Crunchy Pecan Crust

Name: No Bake Turtle Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 9" pecan crust; 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature); 1 ½ cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¾ cup heavy whipping cream (cold); ½ cup powdered sugar; ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; ¼ cup heavy whipping cream; ¼ cup caramel sauce (for drizzling, homemade or store-bought); ½ cup pecans (halves or chopped); ½ cup heavy whipping cream (cold); ¼ cup powdered sugar

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This no bake Turtle Pie is easy to make and so indulgent! It is a crunchy pecan crust, caramel cream filling, and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. Add even more caramel, chopped pecans, and silky whipped cream for a dessert everyone will enjoy!

For more yummy pies, check these out. You may also like my gooey Pecan Pie Dip!

No bake turtle pie with one slice removed and on a plate in the background ready to eat.

Why This Is The BEST Turtle Pie Recipe

IT’S A NO BAKE PIE perfect for summer entertaining! Serve it chilled or even frozen for a cold and refreshing dessert on the warmest days.
THERE IS A PECAN PIE CRUST. Most recipes I saw did not have enough pecan (in my opinion). That is why I chose a pecan crust. It is crunchy, crispy, and the perfect savory addition to this decadent pie.
BETTER THAN STORE-BOUGHT- This recipe is a take on Edward’s Turtle Cream Pie except so much more delicious. It has better caramel flavor, more chocolate, and even more pecans.

Watch Me Make It In Under 30 Seconds:

Turtle Pie Ingredients

Although this Turtle Pie recipe is multiple layers of flavor, it is only 8 easy ingredients. The simpler the better, am I right? Below are a few notes on each ingredients and potential substitutions.

Pecan Crust: I use a store-bought version by Diamond. It has no sugar added and gives a crunchy, nutty, note this sweet pie needs. Don’t worry, there are instructions on how to make your own at home (it is also no bake and no sugar).
Cream Cheese: Full fat and brought to room temperature. If it is even a little too cold your caramel cream filling will have a lumpy and unpleasant texture.
Caramel Sauce: Make sure it is a thick, jarred, caramel (or homemade). If the caramel is too thin it will make your caramel cream filling the wrong consistency. I like this sweetened condensed milk caramel recipe too.
Vanilla Extract: For a boost to the deep caramel flavors.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Used to make the whipped cream and chocolate ganache topping. You can always use store-bought whipped cream, but you still will need heavy cream to make the smooth chocolate ganache.
Powdered Sugar: Used to give stability and body to the whipped cream. Make sure you choose powdered sugar that has been 10x powdered for the smoothest results.
Chocolate Chips: I love semi-sweet chocolate for this pie but milk chocolate or even dark chocolate would be tasty as well.
Pecans: I buy pecan halves so I am able to use them whole or chopped up into bite sized pieces. Feel free to roast your nuts in the oven if you prefer.

Ingredients Needed. Pecan crust, pecan halves, cream cheese, whipped cream, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract.

Equipment Needed

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: I prefer my hand mixer with beater attachment for the caramel cream filling and the whisk attachment for the whipped cream.
Pie Plate: I know, I know… premade pie crust comes in aluminum. I still like to place my pies in a glass pie plate. It makes it so much easier to move/handle and cut for serving. I usually have to tape the crust to the pie plate.
Pie Storage Container: This is my favorite one because it has an insert making it easy to lift pies and cakes in and out of the container.

How to Make A Turtle Pie

Here’s a quick summary of how to make this pie. The recipe card below will have complete details.

1. MAKE THE WHIPPED CREAM: In a mixing bowl whip the heavy cream until soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and continue to whisk until stiff peaks. If the whipped cream is too loose it will affect the consistency so really make sure it is whipped to stiff peaks.

2. CARAMEL CREAM FILLING: Start by beating together the cream cheese, caramel sauce, and vanilla extract. Once the mixture is smooth add and combine in the whipped cream. Pour the caramel cream filling into your pecan crust and smooth it out. Refrigerate your pie as you make the ganache.

Caramel cream cheese filling mixed together in a bowl with pecan crust and a spoon covered in caramel on the side.

Caramel Cream Cheese Filling spread evenly into a Pecan Crust. Pecan halves and caramel sauce on the side.

3. MAKE THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Heat the heavy whipping cream until a light simmer, not boiling. Place the chocolate chips into a measuring cup and pour the warmed cream over top. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Whisk the cream and chocolate together until it is smooth and no lumps of chocolate remain.

4. POUR the chocolate ganache over the chilled caramel cream and smooth it out.

5. DECORATE PIE with a drizzle of caramel sauce, chopped pecans, whipped cream, and more pecan halves. Feel free to decorate in any fashion to prefer. If you like the shape of my whipped cream, this is the piping tip I used.

Smooth swirl of chocolate ganache on top of the pie. Pecan halves and caramel sauce on the side.

Pie topped with more caramel sauce, pecans, and whipped cream. Pecan halves and caramel cream sauce on the side.

6. REFRIGERATE PRIOR TO SERVING: I like to chill my no bake Turtle Pie at least 4 hours and up to overnight. This helps to meld and amplify the flavors. It is not essential but recommended.

7. SLICE your pie into 8 equal pieces and serve frozen, refrigerated, or at room temperature.

Overhead shot of whipped cream and pecan flower style design on the pie.

Slice of pie on a plate and 2 slices taken from the large Turtle Pie with more pecan halves on the side.

Storing Information

This no bake Turtle Pie should always be stored in an airtight container or covered well with plastic wrap. It can be refrigerated for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 3 months. This pie can also be made 2 days prior to serving which makes it great for prepping dessert for parties and holidays.

If you are freezing the pie for more than a day, I do recommend leaving the toppings off until you are ready to serve it. This includes the adding caramel drizzle, chopped pecans, and whipped cream topping. Feel free to thaw your pie overnight and in the refrigerator or enjoy from frozen.

Close up of whole turtle pie to see toppings of chocolate ganache, caramel drizzle, whipped cream, chopped pecans, and pecan halves.

How to Make a Homemade Pecan Crust

If you prefer to make your own pecan crust, it is quite easy… and no bake! All you will need is 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of ground pecan crumbs.

Combine the two together until all the crumbs are moistened. Pour that into your 9″ pie plate and press the crumbs evenly into the bottom and sides until adhered. Refrigerate your pecan crust for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes) prior to filling.

Tips & Variations

TAKE A SHORT CUT to save on time and use store-bought tub whipped cream. I like using TruWhip the best because it is natural, without hydrogenated oils and corn syrup, and preservative free (not sponsored). It also doesn’t have a weird mouth feel after eating it.
USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CRUST like graham cracker crust, chocolate cookie crust, shortbread cookie crust, or an Oreo crust.
TOP IT HOW YOU WANT: use chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, homemade caramels, make it without whipped cream for an easier pie, create a cute design with halved pecans. The possibilities are endless!

Slice of pie to show layers of pecan crust, caramel cream, chocolate ganache, caramel drizzle, chopped pecans, and whipped cream.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Why is it called turtle pie?

Turtle pie is a no bake dessert inspired by the popular turtle shaped candies founded by DeMet’s Candy Company. Turtles are made using pecans, caramel, and chocolate. This turtle pie combines all those flavors.

What is turtle pie made of?

Turtle pie is made with pecans, caramel, and chocolate. It is a pecan crust filled with caramel cream and topped with chocolate ganache. It is garnished with a caramel drizzle, chopped pecans, and whipped cream.

How long does turtle pie last?

Turtle pie should always be stored in an airtight container. In the refrigerator it will last up to 7 days and in the freezer up to 3 months. Turtle pie can be served frozen, refrigerated, or at room temperature.

No bake turtle pie with one slice removed and on a plate in the background.

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