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Home » Recipes » dessert

The Best Peanut Butter Turtle Torte and Good Wishes

Published: Mar 1, 2015 · Modified: Jul 4, 2024 by Lisa Keys · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

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Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by Lisa Keys

Just a sliver chocolate peanut butter torte.

Peanut Butter Turtle Torte

When it comes to our children isn't there just one wish when the candles are blown out? Just one toast when the glass is raised? Just one blessing as hands fold in prayer? "To a long, happy and healthy life." If you are a parent, that's it.

My daughter Wedding Day photo by Campli Photography.
Wedding Day photo by Campli Photography

This week we raised a glass or two to Sam and celebrated him with a most delicious birthday dinner. Sam is a real good egg. He has brought great joy to our family, not only because he loves my daughter, but also because he encourages what I like to call "my crazy". He's fun and just goes with the flow with any goofy thing I want to do. He also likes my cooking and that makes me very happy. He is willing to try anything including my foodie experiments, so I gave him a little culinary trip around the world in honor of his 29th! Here is the menu:

Mediterranean 7 layer dip.
Mediterranean 7-layer dip with pita chips

Then......

Asian short ribs with shitakes, pickled daikon/carrot, golden Carolia rice and haricot vert.
Asian beef short ribs with shitakes, pickled daikon/carrot, golden Carolina rice and haricot vert

Bring on the birthday candles......and my award winning Peanut Butter Turtle Torte. Sam loves chocolate and peanut butter, so this was an easy choice .

Happy birthday dear Sam and many, many more enjoy this peanut butter turtle torte.
Happy birthday dear Sam and many, many more

In 2005 I became a finalist in the Southern Living Recipe Contest with this heavenly rich dessert. While I wished to be the grand champion that day some things in life don't turn out as planned. Still we pick ourselves up and keep going. We adapt. I have changed up the recipe a bit because my original version had such a thick layer of chocolate on the bottom that it was tough to cut through. For ease of cutting warm up your knife by dipping it in a glass of hot tap water and then wipe it dry before slicing.

The layering of ingredients for peanut butter turtle torte.
Just a sliver chocolate peanut butter torte.

Peanut Butter Turtle Torte

Lisa Keys
Award winning recipe, so good a restaurant in Colorado asked my permission to put it on their menu.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 558 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 18 chocolate cookie wafers, finely crushed Nabisco brand or similar
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted, divided
  • 16 chocolate cookie wafers
  • 4 ounces chopped dark or semisweet chocolate
  • 1¾ cups whipping cream
  • 1 cup halved pecans toasted
  • ⅓ cup caramel topping
  • 1 (8 oz )package cream cheese, softened
  • 1- cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Combine crushed chocolate cookies and 2 tablespoons melted butter; press mixture on bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan. Stand 16 cookies around edge of pan, slightly overlapping and pressing into crumb mixture on bottom of pan. Bake chocolate cookie crust at 350" for 5 minutes; cool.
  • Stir together chocolate, ¼ cup whipping cream, and 1 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons chocolate mixture, and place in a small zip-top plastic bag (or squeeze bottle). Pour remaining chocolate mixture evenly over cookie crust in pan.
  • Arrange pecans in an even layer on chocolate layer in pan.
  • Spread butterscotch-caramel topping evenly over pecans, starting from center, leaving a 1-inch border around outer edge of crust. (Be sure to leave this border; if not, the caramel will ooze out of the torte.)
  • Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, confectioners sugar and vanilla at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Decrease speed to low, and gradually add remaining 1 ½ cups cream. When cream is incorporated increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute or until mixture is thick and creamy. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over caramel layer.
  • Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of chocolate-filled zip-top plastic bag, and drizzle chocolate over mixture in pan.
  • Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving remove pan sides.
  • For easy slicing use a warm knife.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 sliceCalories: 558kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 9gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 246mgPotassium: 277mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 628IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg
Keyword award winner, birthday, caramel, chocolate, peanut butter mousse, torte, turtle candy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Slice of peanut butter turtle torte.

More dessert

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    Bourbon Cookies
  • Sour cherry pie.
    Sour Cherry Pie
  • Salted chocolate pear cake.
    Award Winning Recipes
  • Blueberry bread pudding.
    The Best Blueberry Bread Pudding

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 5 votes

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    Recipe Rating





  1. James Matino

    March 01, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Those are pretty funny pictures. Sam is a good sport. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 01, 2015 at 10:20 am

      yes-he just rolls with it and has fun

      Reply
  2. Bev Poulin

    March 01, 2015 at 11:12 am

    I remember tasting that amazing cake and thinking that the judges who didn't grant you first prize were crazy. That whole meal from start to finish looks fabulous. You bless your family and friends with so much love and so many acts of kindness! We are lucky to have you in our lives. And I love the bunny plate! Love you! Bev

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 01, 2015 at 11:17 am

      The bunny plates are the best and I thank you for them. There is even one that looks like Sam wearing the same bow tie he wore in the wedding--just hilarious. I read a quote this morning about friends being inseparable even though they are separated (by distance) and I immediately thought of you!

      Reply
  3. Tracy

    March 01, 2015 at 11:27 am

    5 stars
    This post put a smile on my face. Happy Birthday to Sam! You really are a super mother-in-law- to him. That was quite a culinary journey!

    Where do you find those chocolate wafer cookies? I have not made a few recipes because I cannot find that cookie.

    Reply
  4. Lisa

    March 01, 2015 at 11:41 am

    I buy the cookies in the regular grocery store in the cookie aisle. Do you have a Giant food store or Stop & Shop? I'd be happy to mail you a few boxes.

    Reply
  5. Daryl

    March 01, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    I was trying to figure out how you "made that bunny" on the plate til I read they the comments!!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 01, 2015 at 1:17 pm

      I am flattered you thought I made that bunny--that is hysterical!

      Reply
  6. annagins

    March 01, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    I like Sam, the bunny plate AND that dessert.

    Reply
  7. Lisa

    March 01, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Thanks Annagins. The plates are from Pier 1

    Reply
  8. Danielle

    March 01, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    5 stars
    That dinner looks delicious!! I have to admit my 29th is coming up and I'm having a small meltdown over it. But if someone was making me this dinner than I might relish my birthday after all ;). Happy birthday to Sam!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 01, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      see now this is why I need an apartment in NYC--so I can cook you dinner! My guess John has something very nice planned. Happy birthday in advance.

      Reply
      • Deb

        May 08, 2024 at 7:23 pm

        5 stars
        Lisa

        Your peanut butter turtle torte is a winner for my family! I’ve been making your recipe since 2005 when I found it in Southern Living.
        I recently searched for the recipe and found your updated one and I’m excited to try it. However, I still have the 2005 Southern living magazine, the recipe was always a keeper.

        Thanks for a great recipe
        Deb

      • Lisa Keys

        May 08, 2024 at 8:59 pm

        What a wonderful surprise to read your comment today. I am so glad you have enjoyed my recipe all these years. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. It's a huge compliment.

  9. Louis Matino (@LouMatino)

    March 01, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Happy Birthday to Sam and congratulations on the award winning menu! He's a lucky guy.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 01, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks....I think I am the lucky one

      Reply
  10. lilypup

    March 02, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    What a wonderful blog! Everything (including the family) looks so wonderful. I hope you enjoy your experience in Blogging 101.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      March 02, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks for the visit

      Reply
  11. karemack74

    March 02, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    Yum Lisa! ❤️💜💙💚💛🍩

    Reply
  12. An Anonomous Admirer

    January 22, 2025 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    It was a desert at a Christmas party. Absolutely decadent! Creamy, smooth, and quite delicious. What's not to like?

    Reply
    • Lisa Keys

      January 22, 2025 at 12:53 pm

      So glad you got a slice of this beauty as it is one of my all-time favorite recipes. Thanks for your kindness and the 5 stars!

      Reply

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