Yield: 12 SERVINGS
Prep time: 1 HR
Cook time: 30 MIN
Total time: 2 HR 30 MIN
If you love chocolate and caramel, you’ll LOVE this easy recipe for how to make Chocolate Caramel Cake! Rich and moist but not dense, this cake will please even the pickiest eater.
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE CAKE:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2¾ cups all-purpose flour (not packed!)
1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
3 teaspoons baking soda
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1¼ teaspoons salt
3 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
1½ cups full-fat sour cream
⅓ cup whole milk
¾ cup vegetable oil (you may also sub in melted coconut oil)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1½ cups hot water
FOR THE SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks, 16 ounces), VERY soft
4½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons heavy cream (more if needed)
2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
1¼ cups salted caramel sauce, for decoration
Flaky sea salt
DIRECTIONS:
TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350°F(177°C). Cut out three 9-inch round segments of parchment paper to line your cake pans with. Spray each pan generously – sides and bottom – with nonstick cooking spray. Set pans aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, combine both sugars, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Use your hands to break up any large clumps, if needed.
In a separate bowl combine the eggs, egg yolks, sour cream, milk, oil and vanilla extract; mix until completely combined. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and beat on low until just incorporated. Pour in hot water and continue mixing until completely combined; about 1 minute. The batter will become quite thin.
Divide batter evenly in each prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan before removing them from pans and transferring to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before frosting.
TO MAKE THE SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter on medium-speed until completely smooth; about 3 minutes.
Turn the mixer off and sift the powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on the lowest speed and mix until the sugar/cocoa has been absorbed by the butter; about 2 minutes. Increase mixer speed to medium
Add in vanilla extract, salt, heavy cream and salted caramel; beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting appears a little too thin, add a little more confectioners’ sugar; If your frosting needs to be thinner, add additional heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.
ASSEMBLY:
Using a serrated knife, carefully trim the raised top of each cake, making each one an even, level surface. Transfer 1 layer to a large plate or cake stand.
Spread a thin layer of frosting on top, then add a 1/2 cup of caramel; top with another cake layer, and repeat, thinly spread it with a layer of frosting, then adding a 1/2 cup of caramel. Top final cake layer and place cake in the fridge to set for 1 hour.
Once set, finishing frosting the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with sea salt. Slice and serve, or keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
NOTES:
Cake may be baked up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Unfrosted cakes may be wrapped and frozen for up to 2 months. For best results, follow the recipe as written.