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These rich and fudgy flourless Turtle Brownies are swirled with cheesecake and caramel, and then topped with pecans. They are the ultimate decadent dessert recipe for anyone who craves the chocolate, caramel, and pecan combo. And it’s a naturally gluten free brownie recipe that you won’t be able to resist!
Fudgy Turtle Brownies with Cheesecake Swirl
Since these brownies are flourless, it’s all about the chocolate. But even when it’s all about the chocolate, you still can level up your brownies. These fudgy turtle cheesecake brownies will satisfy your chocolate, cheesecake, and caramel cravings all in one bite, with the crunch of pecans on top.
The slightly tangy swirl of cream cheese and crunchy nuts balances the sweetness of the rich, chocolate and the caramel. Oh, yes, let’s not forget the caramel which gives these brownies even more ooey gooey deliciousness.
You’ve never had gluten free brownies like this before. Bring on the milk, people, bring on the milk! Because whether you like the fudgy middle or the slightly crispy (but still super moist) edges, you won’t be disappointed.
What Makes These Turtle Cheesecake Brownies So Good?
- Naturally gluten free. The brownie batter base is made with almond flour, so they don’t have any flour to swap out to make a perfect gluten free brownie.
- So fudgy. Since they are made without flour, they are extra ooey gooey in the middle.
- Surefire recipe. I’ve made this gluten free brownie base a ton of times, and it never fails me, whether I’m swirling in Bailey’s Fudge Sauce like these brownies, or swapping out the pecans in this recipe to make Flourless Caramel Cashew Cheesecake Swirl Brownies. I had to give some away to my neighbors to keep from eating them all myself.
Brownie Ingredients
Let’s gather what we will need to make these turtle brownies. Here is a quick overview, but be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and detailed instructions. But don’t miss my tips for success.
For the Cheesecake Swirl
- Cream cheese. You can use light or regular (not fat free), just be sure it is softened to room temperature
- Egg.
- Powdered sugar.
- Pure vanilla extract. Use a good quality, gluten free brand.
For the Brownies
- Semisweet chocolate chips.
- Unsalted butter. No need to soften since you will be melting it.
- Eggs.
- Granulated sugar.
- Cocoa powder.
- Almond flour.
- Salt.
- Pure vanilla extract.
- Caramel sauce. You can use homemade caramel or a good quality store-bought brand.
- Pecans. Chopped
How to Make Turtle Brownies
While there are a few components to this gluten free brownie recipe, it’s actually super easy. Other than the bowl you need for melting the butter with the chocolate chips, you mix it all up in one bowl.
- Prepare the pan. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 13×9 inch pan with parchment paper or spray well with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make the cheesecake swirl. Combine all of the cheesecake ingredients in a small bowl, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Melt chocolate. In a double boiler or a bowl set over a simmering pan of water, melt the butter, then add the chocolate chips, stirring until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar till pale, the slowly whisk in the melted chocolate. Then whisk in cocoa powder, almond flour, salt, and vanilla.
- Fill the pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place small dollops of the cheesecake mixture and caramel over the batter and then create swirls with a butter knife or small spatula. Sprinkle with pecans
- Bake and cool. Bake at 350°F for 22-26 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Cool completely in the pan before cutting.
Tips for Success
- Get a crackly top. Make sure you whisk the eggs and sugar for a minute or two until pale, as this ensures you get a little bit of rise and the nice crispy bits on top and on the edges.
- Don’t scramble the eggs. Add the chocolate slowly after it cools a bit so the eggs don’t cook and curdle.
- Line or grease the pan. Usually, I use parchment in the pan. I’ve also just sprayed my pan really well, though, and I had no problems with the brownies sticking.
Storing Brownies
These brownies can be kept covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. Or refrigerate them if you want to keep them around for up to a week.
Flourless Turtle Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Swirl:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, light or regular, softened to room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 ounces unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce, homemade or good quality store-bought
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
For the Cheesecake Swirl:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
For the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 13×9 inch pan with parchment paper or spray well with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a double boiler or a bowl set over a simmering pan of water, melt the butter, then add the chocolate chips, stirring until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar for a minute or two.
- Add melted chocolate mixture a little at a time, whisking well after each addition.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder, almond meal, salt, and vanilla.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Place small dollops of the cheesecake mixture and caramel over the batter and then create swirls with a butter knife or small spatula. Sprinkle with pecans
- Bake at 350°F for 22-26 minutes, or until just set in the middle.
- Cool completely in the pan before cutting.
Did you make this?
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More Gluten Free Brownie Recipes
You can never have too many easy, fudgy brownie recipes on hand. Here are a few more of my favorites!
- Gluten Free Brownies
- Rocky Road Brownies
- Ricotta Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
- Reese’s Brownies
- Mint Chocolate Brownie Decadence from My Gluten-Free Kitchen
- Gluten Free Strawberry Brownie Bars from Pint-Sized Baker
- Fudgy Toffee Flourless Brownies from Mom on Timeout
Extremely misleading, deceptive, and disappointing to read “flourless” at the beginning and waste so much time scrolling down the page to find out how to make them without flour, but yet further down to the end of the list reads “almond meal” so you end up having to make a trip to the store for something special that most people don’t readily have in the house.
I’m sorry that you had to scroll only to be disappointed, especially because these are such delicious brownies. However, almond meal technically is not flour, since it is made from nuts and not grains, and many people who actually need flourless/gluten-free recipes due to celiac disease or a gluten allergy actually consider almond meal a staple. Also, as it is more widely used in many types of recipes nowadays, it’s easy to find in most grocery stores nowadays and I usually purchase mine from Amazon Prime.
Double triple yum! These look divine! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday.
Thank you!
I love flourless recipes! My husband prefers them because he likes the texture better because they are thicker. Thanks for linking up with the Delicious Dishes Recipe party!
I agree, so much fudgier!
These brownies look incredible!! Nielsen-Massey Vanilla is the best. Yum all around!
Truly tempting! I want to run to the kitchen and make them asap!
You should!
So turtle cheesecake anything is amazing but oooo when it’s with a brownie, it’s like THE BEST! mmm Reminds me that I need to restock my Nielsen-Massey Vanilla!
Yep, that fudgy layer is amazing! And definitely don’t run out of Nielsen-Massey!!
These look AMAZING!
Thank you!
These look incredibly good!
Thank so much! We loved them!
These are everything!
Chocolate and caramel and cheesecake – can’t go wrong! Thanks!
I love love a goos brownie, and these look fantastic!
The gooier the better!
These are the best looking brownies ever!
Thanks Ashley!
I saw these on facebook and almost died, they look absolutely amazing, I love the pretty texture on the top — sharing these today! Oh, and of course I can’t live without Masseys <3
It’s the best vanilla!
I’m sitting here staring at these brownies. haha I seriously need to make these for us. Like right now.
I think you do, most definitely!
Woah…these sound like the perfect brownie! I’m kinda wishing I had some of these for breakfast this morning…is that allowed? 🙂
I am a firm believer in chocolate for breakfast!