Triple-Layer Chocolate Turtle Cake

Here is a neat idea. Now this concoction actually came in a prepackaged deal from Pillsbury, and it was pretty good. But you could make it yourself without a lot of fuss. 2 of them actually.

Here's the plan. Get your favorite chocolate cake mix, and mix it up as directed. Pour half of it in a 13x9 pan and bake it at 350 for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then cut the cake into thirds. Now if you are a neat freak about it, you can pull out the tape measure like I did...or you can just eyeball it. Trim off the rounded edges and eat them now...just to make sure the flavor is ok. :-) So now you should have 3 thin rectangular chocolate cakes. Get a jar of the caramel ice cream topping and spread a tablespoon or two on one of the pieces. Then stack another piece on top, and repeat with the caramel. Then you can top with anything you want; nuts, fudge, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, toffee, crunched up candy bars, or you can just leave it as it is.

What you wind up with is a decadent dessert that looks more elegant than just a plain old chocolate cake, and really only takes a few extra minutes of prep work at the end. And when you are done with all of that, you still have half a cake mix left over! You can make one for a friend...maybe a peanut butter cup version!!!

And don't let the cake mix stop you either...you can do this with any flavor, any topping. What about a pound cake mix with fresh strawberries and whipped cream? Carrot cake with cream cheese and shredded carrots? Spice cake with apple pie filling? Let your imagination take over! Oh, and save a slice for me! :-)