You’re going to love this cold and creamy Turtle Pie. With layers of creamy peanut butter pie filling, chocolate, caramel, and nuts, this no-bake dessert is hard to resist. You won’t be able to stop at just one slice!
Easy No-Bake Turtle Pie
This cool and creamy Turtle Pie is a no-bake dessert made with a peanut butter filling, chocolate, caramel, and crunchy pecans. Chilled in a cookie crust, it’s basically irresistible. A friend made a variation of this frozen pie for my baby shower, and everyone at the party just about swooned and jotted down the recipe. It’s a seriously simple recipe that’s seriously AMAZING.
I’ve changed things up since then and brought peanut butter into the mix. It makes this Turtle pie taste a bit like a Snickers bar at the same time (you won’t see me complaining!). Is it a Snickers pie? Turtle pie? Snickertle pie? Any way you slice it, it’s delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Turtle Pie Recipe
- Cool and creamy. This Turtle pie is what I like to call a delicious mess. It’s loaded with creamy peanut butter, cream cheese, and crunchy pecans and drizzled all over with chocolate and caramel. Every bite melts in your mouth, and the flavors simply shine.
- Easy to make. Everything about this recipe is so quick and easy. This pie looks like something you’d pay good money for at the grocery store, and all it takes is whipping together a few easy ingredients before your freezer does the rest.
- No-bake. Turtle pie is the ultimate no-bake dessert to make if you don’t feel like switching on the oven. It takes only 15 minutes to prep it!
How to Make Turtle Pie
This Turtle pie combines all the best flavors: Caramel, peanut butter, chocolate, cream cheese… I’m not drooling, you’re drooling. Let’s get started! Below is a quick overview of the ingredients and how to make this pie. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and recipe details.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pie Crust – You can make this pie recipe inside a Graham cracker crust or an Oreo cookie crust. You’ll combine Graham cracker crumbs or Oreo crumbs with melted butter depending on which type of crust you choose. You can also crush up whole crackers or cookies using your food processor, to make the crumbs yourself.
- Butter – For melting.
- Cream Cheese – You’ll need one package of softened full-fat cream cheese for your Turtle pie filling. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start with the recipe.
- Sugar
- Peanut Butter – I couldn’t resist making this a peanut butter pie filling. Make sure you use smooth, shelf-stable peanut butter (like the kind from Skippy or Jif). Natural peanut butter tends to separate due to the oil.
- Whipped Cream – A defrosted tub of Cool Whip is super convenient. Otherwise, feel free to use homemade whipped cream if you prefer.
- Pecans – Toasted pecans are the classic choice for a Turtle pie. They add that delicious crunch! However, you can also use any type of nuts, such as walnuts, peanuts, or almonds.
- Caramel Sauce – A jar of caramel ice cream topping does the trick.
- Chocolate – You can easily melt down chocolate to drizzle over your pie, or use your favorite store-bought chocolate fudge sauce.
Directions
- Prepare the crust. Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter, stirring until you get a sandy consistency. Afterward, press the crust evenly into a 9” pie plate.
- Make the pie filling. Next, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter.
- Add toasted pecans. Heat the pecans in a skillet on the stovetop until they’re lightly toasted and fragrant. Add half of your pecans to the cream cheese filling and the whipped topping. Mix everything together until the filling is well combined.
- Assemble and freeze the pie. First, spread caramel sauce into the bottom of the crust. Top this with your peanut butter cream cheese filling, then cover the pie and place it into the freezer.
- Add toppings. After 2 to 3 hours, take the pie out and sprinkle on the rest of the pecans, then drizzle the top with melted chocolate and additional caramel sauce.
- Freeze again. Return the pie to the freezer for at least 1 hour, and keep it frozen until you’re ready to serve it.
Tips for the Best Turtle Pie
I can’t wait for you all to try a cold, velvety, Turtle-icious slice of this homemade pie. Keep these tips in mind for the best results:
- Make sure the nuts are unsalted. You’ll want to use raw, unseasoned pecans so that the flavor doesn’t interfere with the sweetness of the pie.
- Buy pre-toasted pecans if you’re pressed for time. You can also buy chocolate sauce from the store instead of melting chocolate for the topping.
- Use full-fat cream cheese. Make sure to use the cream cheese that comes in bricks and not the spreadable kind in tubs. Full-fat cream cheese will yield the richest, creamiest pie filling.
- Chill the pie well. This frozen dessert will be easier to slice and serve if it’s been thoroughly chilled. Make sure to budget enough time for your Turtle pie to set up in the freezer before serving.
Variation Ideas
If you’d like to personalize your peanut butter Turtle pie, there are a few ways to do it. Here are some of my favorite recipe variations:
- Salted caramel. Try salted caramel in place of regular caramel sauce for a delicious sweet-meets-salty twist.
- Oreo crust. I made the pie pictured using a Graham cracker crust, but an Oreo pie crust makes this Turtle pie all the more indulgent!
- Try Nutella in the filling. Change up the flavors in your pie filling and substitute peanut butter with Nutella hazelnut spread.
- Boozy Turtle pie. Add a splash of bourbon or brandy to the pie filling for a grown-ups-only twist. Other yummy options are chocolate-flavored vodka or Kahlua coffee liqueur. You can also stir it into the caramel or chocolate topping.
- Different nuts. Pecans are an ode to the Turtles candy that inspired this pie recipe, but don’t let that stop you from using your favorite nuts instead. Toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, or even roasted peanuts will also work.
Ways to Serve Turtle Pie
- Ice Cream. Serve this creamy Turtle pie with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream or with this 2-ingredient homemade strawberry ice cream.
- More Desserts. Serve this pie as part of a larger dessert spread rounded out with salted caramel thumbprint cookies, white chocolate chip cookies, and other no-bake favorites like these mini cheesecake bites.
- Drinks. Wash this Turtle pie down with a cold iced americano or a refreshing hibiscus iced tea sparkler in the summertime. This dessert also pairs great with a cortado coffee any time of the year.
- Toppings. Yes, more toppings! Give your slice of pie a swirl of whipped cream, shaved chocolate, dark or white chocolate chips, or fresh berries (like raspberries or strawberries). Toffee bits or toasted coconut would also be delicious.
How to Store
- Freezer. Store this Turtle pie airtight in the freezer for 2 months.
- Make-ahead: If you’re making this pie ahead of time, you can choose to store it without the chocolate and caramel toppings and add them an hour before serving.
More No-Bake Desserts to Try
- French Silk Tart
- Peanut Butter Pie
- No Bake Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Mousse Ice Box Cake
- Banana Foster No-Bake Cheesecake
Turtle Pie
Turtle pie is an easy no-bake dessert made with creamy peanut butter pie filling loaded with crunchy toasted pecans and topped with caramel and chocolate.
Servings : 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs, or Oreo cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted and divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups thawed whipped topping, like Cool Whip
- ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping, plus more for drizzling on top
- ¼ cup melted chocolate, for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine your choice of Graham cracker crumbs (or Oreo crumbs) with melted butter for the crust. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate.
- Toast the pecans over medium heat on the stovetop for about 3 minutes. Shake them frequently so that they don’t burn. Immediately remove the toasted pecans from the pan and set them aside to cool.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter until well combined.
- Next, using your electric mixer, beat the whipped topping and half of the toasted pecans into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
- Spread 1/4 cup of the caramel ice cream topping in an even layer over the bottom of the cookie crust.
- Add the cream cheese filling to the pie crust and spread it out evenly. Place the pie into the freezer to chill for 2 to 3 hours.
- Take the pie out of the freezer and sprinkle the remaining pecans over the top.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until completely smooth. Use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over the pie.
- Once the pie is topped with chocolate, drizzle on the caramel topping. Return the pie to the freezer for 1 hour or until set.
- Take the pie out of the freezer about 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- You can use raw, unsalted pecans to maintain the pie’s sweetness or use salted pecans if you like the sweet-salty flavor.
- For convenience, use pre-toasted pecans and store-bought chocolate sauce, like this fudge ice cream topping.
- Choose full-fat cream cheese for a rich, creamy filling.
- Ensure the pie is well-chilled for easy slicing and serving.
- Store the pie in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 440 kcal | Carbohydrates: 38 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 31 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11 g | Trans Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 44 mg | Sodium: 338 mg | Potassium: 202 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 26 g | Vitamin A: 582 IU | Vitamin C: 0.1 mg | Calcium: 71 mg | Iron: 1 mg | Net Carbs: 36 g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!
What is the whipped topping? Did I miss it?
Hi Natalie! Whipped topping is also called Cool Whip. You will need 2 cups, thawed, for this recipe. I hope that helps!
UMMMMMM, THIS LOOKS CRAZY GOOD!! LOVE THE NAME, TOO!
My fave ice cream is actually frozen yogurt with peanut butter cups in them… and so, my love of frozen versions of chocolate bars was born. I’d love to try this, but one question: what do you think would be the effect of subbing whipping cream for the whipped topping? and same about just caramel instead of caramel topping? I’d rather go all natural if I can…
I actually have the same question!!!!!
Hi!! This recipe is from 2011, and that is why I didn’t see the comment. Thank you for bringing the question to my attention!! I think those are great ideas and it would work, except for the caramel… homemade caramel won’t freeze (which makes you question why caramel topping does hehe ;-)) but if you’re okay with it not being completely solid, then it’s all good. :))
Great pie and very easy to make!!!! Next time I might try peanuts instead of pecans. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Hi Joan! Isn’t that such a yummy pie!? I am so glad you liked it!!
I’m sooooo drooling right now, Kate 😉
Thank goodness for Spicie Foodie’s YBR so I can look at all the yumminess I missed during June! That Snickurtle pie is a delicious, decandent mess for sure 😉
Well, I guess we need a few slices of that baby to eh… taste test… yeah, taste test to make sure its our favorite new pie 😉 This looks awesome!
Okay, now this is too much! I don’t think you could have done anything to make this pie even better… It has all the things I LOVE! I would inhale it too. Yum! Thanks for sharing 🙂
OMG…that looks so totally amazing!!! Good grief…you really can’t get any better with this dessert. I think it’s got to be the ultimate sweet treat! I would so much love a slice. I’m bookmarking it…gonna have to make it one of these days! 🙂
This is one seriously awesome looking pie. Wow – would love a bite or two!
I want! This is definitely on my must make list. Sinfully delicious.
Oh my…. this looks ridiculously good Kate. It’s on the treat list for sure!!
I am totally in love with that pie!! It looks perfect – as someone has said – my name is written all over it 🙂
I’m right there with you on hoping this pie is in heaven! Delectable!
Whatever you want to call this, I can tell you right now that I will take at least 3 slices. What a gorgeous summertime dessert!
Seriously Kate! What are you trying to do to us? This belongs in the pie hall of fame!
Whoa this looks AMAZING! Love all the different layers/flavors/textures 🙂
There’s not going to be any peace in this house until one of us – guess who – is able to sit down on the couch and devour this while watching Wimbledon. Not sure there will be a second spoon allowed. Your father’s a lucky man! Happy belated Father’s day.
HOLY FATMAN. I want this.
That looks sooooo good!!! Snickurtle Pie is the perfect name for it!
Too funny. I WANT to eat that baby! You really can’t go wrong with caramel, chocolate and cream cheese. 🙂
Whoa mama, now THAT’s a pie
Seriously gorgeous. I expect we will see it on Top 9! Funny, I made an ice cream pie yesterday for my husband for father’s day. Guess it’s that time of year!
The pictures are beautiful! Love the combinations – very fun 🙂
Ohhh I love anything with caramel and nuts! And if it ice cream, even better! This pie looks so scrumptious! I wish it was summer to try it right now!!!
One of the best pies i’ve ever seen!
This looks absolutely decadent! And what a show-stopper, too! Would definitely steal the limelight at any party. 🙂
Wonderful pie! Cream cheese filling is just amazing! And decoration is lovely!
Wow. Just. Wow. I think I know just the person to make it for too. It looks like so much fun, I wish we had the oreo cookie crumbs in Australia though. One day, I’m sure we will!
I think you should just name this pie DELICIOUS!! Great job Kate! This looks so yummy. I love frozen pies!
Such a fun treat! It looks like a Jackson Pollack painting. Bet it is amazing!
That looks wonderful! I am practically drooling just looking over the ingredient list…yum!!!
The top of that pie looks like a piece of art! Gorgeous! And I can see why waiting for it to freeze would be the hard part!
Great name! I am glad that you were able to get the recipe to share with us. Snickers and Turtles sound like a match made in heaven.
I’d definitely eat the whole pie if I had it in front of me! This is the perfect combination of ingredients! And turtles? My favorite :).
LOVE the name! (I just posted a dish with a mash up name too :D)… and love the delicious mess! 😉
Your snickurtle pie looks wonderful. I was going to make a snickers no bake pie this weekend for Father’s Day, but my son was jumping up and down for me to make a Whopper pie (which I did and he loved). I am not a fan of Whoppers, but I do love snickers and turtle candies. So I I would be jumping up and own for your pie. I love that you freeze it too…. makes it more of a summer dessert. Great Job and fabulous pictures as always.
OH MY… I am a little speechless. Gorgeous! And very aptly named.
I love that you scarfed this baby down with your dad…it’s totally something my dad and I would do 🙂 It looks amazing! I love frozen pies in the summer.
Oh Kate, this does sound like heaven in a frozen pie! The chocolate, the peanut butter, the whipped cream, the caramel – oh I want to eat it now!
Wow, this looks so delicious! I don’t know if I could make this, because I might not be able to stop eating it!
it’s nice freezing stuff 🙂 cause it’s bloody hot outside…
Mouthwatering pie, it looks FANTASTIC!!!! Thank you so much for sharing Kate!
This looks beyond heavenly. Great call with the Oreo crust. Ice cream pies are my favorite even though it is really hard to convince my husband that anything besides an Apple pie is worth trying!
Snickurtle, what a cool name!
I have my fingers crossed they have pie in heaven, at least this type of pie, sounds heavenly delicious. Love that chocolate drizzle on top. Thanks for sharing Kate!
um….hhmmm….WOW! simple and so tasty I would hide behind the couch and eat it!!! love it!
oh my goodness. that chocolate drizzle….is making my mouth water. i was craving chocolate this morning…..
The name totally makes sense and it looks and sounds heavenly! I made a snickers cheesecake this weekend and I would really enjoy adapting that to a “snicktrutle” cheesecake!
Kate, this is too fabulous for words! Love the title, the “mess”, the flavours. I definitely would love this baby!
…that pie is like a dream come true. Tell your father he’s the luckiest person alive today. Wowsers. BUZZED!
Snickurtle pie! I love it! This is one I most definitely want to make. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us.
Oh yeah, I can do this! I love the idea of taking two forks and just digging in.
Happy Father’s Day to your loved ones!
WOW, Kate, yummy!! I love frozen desserts like this. Mud pie is one of my all time favorites. This looks just as tempting! Hope you’re having a great Father’s Day. 🙂
Looks sooo good! I am not a big fan of snickers, but you almost make me change my mind!
Oh, my!!! You got me with the caramel covered crust…how incredible!!!
Oh my goodness!! I don’t know if I could wait for it to freeze…I might just take a spoon to it! This looks AMAZING!
I am in love with the name, Snickurtle!! So fun:-) Seriously, Holy Cats, YUM!!!! That is all I can say, because I am drooling over the delicious pics:-)
Hugs, Terra
Yaaay… the name works!! 🙂 I had no idea what to call it… I’m so glad that it sounds good. 🙂
I am making a pudding dessert today that involves chilling and I know that waiting for it to chill will be the hardest part!