Description
The Rich & Velvety Coffee Caramel Cake is an indulgent dessert blending bold coffee flavors with smooth, luscious caramel in moist, tender cake layers. Perfect for coffee and caramel lovers alike, this elegant cake is easy to make and adaptable for various dietary preferences, delivering a memorable treat suitable for celebrations or everyday enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- ⅔ cup hot water (to dissolve coffee granules)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream (for caramel sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the Coffee-Infused Batter: Dissolve the instant coffee granules in ⅔ cup hot water to intensify the coffee flavor. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and the brewed coffee mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a balanced, aromatic batter forms.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should be moist but fully cooked. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pans before removing.
- Prepare the Smooth Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and turns a shiny amber color, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly but keep pourable.
- Assemble the Cake: Once cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of caramel sauce evenly over the layer. Add the second cake layer on top and repeat the caramel layer. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top of the cake. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or finely ground coffee for an elegant finish.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the caramel to set slightly. This enhances the texture and makes slicing easier. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with optional toppings such as sea salt flakes or chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Notes
- Use fresh instant coffee granules for the strongest aroma and best flavor.
- Remove cakes from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean to keep layers moist.
- When making caramel, slowly add cream to hot sugar to avoid crystallization and maintain smoothness.
- Ensure butter, eggs, and cream are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Chill the cake before slicing to firm up the caramel and achieve neat slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: coffee cake, caramel cake, dessert, coffee caramel dessert, moist cake, coffee dessert, caramel sauce cake
