Turtle Cake

 My sister-in-law, Ada made this for a recent family gathering.  It was delicious.

Turtle Cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix, mixed according to directions on box, but not baked yet

1- 14 oz bag of Kraft caramels (48 pieces)

1/2 cup evaporated milk

2 cups pecans, chopped

3/4 cup butter

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Whipped cream for topping, if desired

Heat oven to 350.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan.  Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.  While the cake is baking, melt the caramels, milk and butter together over medium heat.  Pour the mixture over the partially baked cake and sprinkle half of the nuts and half of the chocolate chips over that.  Pour on the rest of the cake batter, then sprinkle the nuts and chocolate chips over that.  Bake for 20 minutes.  It won't look done, but it will set up over time.  Top with whipped cream, if desired, or with ice cream as shown.

Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Oreo Pie

Two of my kids made this together tonight.

1 package of Oreo's
1 cup (two sticks, 16 Tbsp.) of Butter, divided
2/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 1/4 Heavy Whipping Cream, divided
1 bag (12 oz.) chocolate chips (you can use dark or milk, we prefer milk)
Flaky sea salt, such as Kosher salt

Crust:
Finely crush the Oreo's (with a food processor, or in a bag with a rolling pin) and combine with 1 stick or 8 Tbsp. melted butter. Press into the bottom and sides of a pie pan and freeze for at least 10 minutes.

Caramel Layer:
In a small saucepan combine the remaining 8 Tbsp. of butter with the brown sugar and whisk constantly until the mixture begins to bubble, then for a additional minute. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in 1/4 cup whipping cream until smooth. Then let the Caramel cool for approximately 15 minutes before pouring over the crust, then chill in freezer for 30-45 minutes, but you don't want to let the caramel to completely freeze.

Chocolate Layer:
Pour the chocolate chips into a glass bowl and the whipping cream into a saucepan. Once the cream is at a simmer remove from heat and pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 5 minutes (or really until the chocolate chips begin to melt), then whisk until completely smooth. Pour the chocolate over the caramel and return to freezer for a final 30 minutes or put it, covered, into the fridge.
Before serving, sprinkle the sea salt over the pie.

This dessert is very rich but so delicious. My daughter chooses this as her "birthday cake" every year.

Caramel Apple Cobbler

 This is a delicious, company-worthy dessert.

Caramel Apple Cobbler
1 package vanilla or yellow cake mix
2/3 cup evaporated milk or half and half, divided
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can apple pie filling
1 (11 oz.) bag* caramel bits
Toppings
Vanilla ice cream
Caramel sauce ( find a delicious recipe here)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the caramel candies with 1/3 cup evaporated milk (or half and half.)  Whisk until melted and smooth.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake mix with the cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add 1/3 cup evaporated milk (or half and half,) vanilla, and melted butter.  Stir until smooth.  Spread half of this batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for 8-9 minutes in the preheated oven.  Remove from oven.  Carefully arrange the apple filling on top of the partially -baked cake.  Drizzle the caramel mixture on top.  Spoon or dab the rest of the cake mix on top.  Return to oven and bake another 20-25 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.  Cut and serve topped with ice cream and caramel sauce.  

*Caramel bits are sold near the chocolate chips: