Easy No Bake Turtle Cheesecake Dip Recipe
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Easy and delicious no bake Turtle Cheesecake Dip is one of the easiest desserts to make. A creamy make ahead dessert recipe that’s sure to be a hit!
If you love cheesecake, dessert dips and easy recipes, this Turtle Cheesecake Dip is for you! Trust me, you’re going to want to devour this entire dip after taking one bite.
Imagine the creaminess of cheesecake mixed with the irresistible sweetness of gooey caramel and chocolate topped with crunchy pecans and mini chocolate chips. All I can say is YUM! And, no springform pan is required because this dip tastes just like cheesecake but no baking is required.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself to a cozy night in, this dip is the perfect dessert. Grab some fresh fruit, crunchy pretzels, or your favorite cookies, and get ready to enjoy a delicious, mouthwatering dessert that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
What is Cheesecake Dip?
Cheesecake dip is a creamy and indulgent dessert dip that combines all the flavors of a traditional creamy cheesecake but in a dip-able form. It typically includes cream cheese as its base, along with other ingredients like sugar, vanilla extract, and whipped cream to add richness and smoothness. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients such as chocolate chips, caramel sauce, or crushed cookies can be added to create different flavor variations.
It’s usually served chilled and pairs well with a variety of dippers such as fresh fruit, pretzels, graham crackers, or cookies. Cheesecake dip is perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply as a delicious snack for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Dip
- Common Ingredients – All of the ingredients needed to make this dessert are easy to find at any grocery store.
- No Baking Required – What’s better than an easy no bake dessert dip that can be mixed together in less than 15 minutes.
- Easy to Make – This dip is easy to make and much quicker than baking a traditional cheesecake. Why bake a cheesecake when you can make this quick cheesecake dip?!
- Crowd Pleaser – Cheesecake dip is always a crowd-pleaser and this version tastes just like the turtles candies.
- Great for Parties: This dessert dip is the perfect party dip. Make it for parties, get-togethers, and holidays and you won’t have any leftovers, which means you’ll want to double the recipe so you can keep some for yourself.
Ingredients Needed to Make No Bake Turtle Cheesecake Dip
- Cream cheese – One 8 oz cream cheese block softened at room temperature.
- Powdered sugar – Makes the dip sweet and flavorful.
- Frozen whipped topping – Thawed at room temperature. We used Cool whip.
- Vanilla extract – Adds flavor to the dessert dip.
- Chocolate & Caramel syrup – Can’t make turtle dip without caramel and chocolate.
- Pecans – One cup pecans chopped is needed. Reserve some for garnish.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – We recommend using mini chocolate chips.
How to Make Turtle Cheesecake Dip
- Mix – In a medium mixing bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer or stand mixture. Add whipped topping, vanilla, chocolate, and caramel sauce to the cream cheese mixture and continue to mix on low speed. Fold in pecan and chocolate chips (reserve a handful of each for garnishing) and mix well.
- Chill – Cover the dip in the medium bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes or longer before serving.
- Serve – When serving, place dip in a small serving bowl and garnish with the remaining pecan pieces and mini chocolate chips. Add drizzles of chocolate and caramel sauce to garnish further. Serve with graham crackers, animal crackers, pretzels, Nilla wafers, and/or apple slices.
Tips for Making the Best Cheesecake Dip
- Use softened cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth and creamy texture for your dip.
- Mix well: Beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and fluffy before adding other ingredients. This helps to prevent lumps in your dip.
- Sweeten to taste: Adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener according to your preference. Taste the dip as you add the sweetener to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
- Add caramel and chocolate in layers: To create the signature turtle flavor, layer the caramel sauce and chocolate chips within the dip mixture. This ensures that each bite is packed with delicious caramel and chocolate goodness.
- Chill before serving: For the best texture and flavor, refrigerate the dip for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the dip to firm up slightly.
- Garnish with toppings: Before serving, sprinkle extra chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of caramel and chocolate syrup on top of the dip for added flavor and visual appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Turtle Cheesecake Dip ahead of time. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Just remember to give it a stir before serving to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.
Can I freeze Turtle Cheesecake Dip?
It’s not recommended to freeze cheesecake dip as the texture may become grainy or separated once thawed. However, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for a few days.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of regular cream cheese?
While you can substitute low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt for regular cream cheese, it may affect the texture and taste of the dip. The result may not be as creamy, but it’s still worth experimenting with if you’re looking for a lighter option.
What are some serving suggestions for Turtle Cheesecake Dip?
Turtle Cheesecake Dip pairs well with a variety of dippers such as sliced apples, strawberries, pretzels, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or even brownie bites. Get creative and offer a fun selection of dippers to cater to different tastes.
How long does Turtle Cheesecake Dip last in the refrigerator?
Turtle Cheesecake Dip can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Can I make Turtle Cheesecake Dip without caramel or chocolate?
While caramel and chocolate are key ingredients for the classic turtle flavor, you can certainly customize the rich cheesecake dip to suit your preferences. Feel free to omit them or substitute with other toppings or mix-ins like chopped nuts or toffee bits.
More Dessert Dip Recipes
Turtle Cheesecake Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounce tub of frozen whipped topping, thawed at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup chocolate sauce
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric hand or stand mixture. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until fully blended and there are no more lumps from the powdered sugar.
- Add whipped topping, vanilla, chocolate, and caramel sauce. Mix for an additional 1 minute or until fully blended.
- Fold in pecan and chocolate chips (reserve a handful of each for garnishing) and mix well using a rubber spatula. Be sure to scrape the edges of the bowl well.
- Cover dip and chill for 30 minutes or longer before serving.
- When serving, place dip in a small bowl (like the size of a cereal bowl) and garnish with the remaining chopped pecans and mini chocolate chips.
- Add drizzles of chocolate and caramel sauce to garnish further. Serve with graham crackers, animal crackers, pretzels, Nilla wafers, and/or apple slices.
Notes
- This dip is best served chilled.
- Store this dip inside an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after preparing.