Caramel Cake Recipe: A Deliciously Easy Treat
Are you ready to bake a cake that's as stunning as it is delicious? Look no further! This caramel cake recipe is designed for both beginner bakers and experienced pros, offering a simple yet elegant dessert that will impress everyone. We'll cover everything from the perfect caramel sauce to achieving that moist, fluffy crumb everyone craves. Get ready to dive into a world of sweet caramel goodness!
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session.
For the Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a perfect caramel cake every time.
Making the Caramel Sauce:
- Combine Sugar and Water: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Do not stir!
- Cook Until Golden Brown: Let the mixture cook until it turns a deep amber color, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add Cream Carefully: Slowly pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble up!). Whisk constantly until smooth.
- Stir in Butter and Salt: Remove from heat and stir in the butter and salt until melted and incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
Baking the Cake:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Add Coffee: Slowly pour in the hot coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Pour Batter into Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Assembling Your Caramel Cake Masterpiece
Once the cakes are completely cool, you're ready to assemble your delicious caramel creation.
- Frosting: Once the cakes are cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of your favorite frosting (cream cheese frosting pairs exceptionally well with caramel).
- Layer and Frost: Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake.
- Drizzle with Caramel: Drizzle the cooled caramel sauce over the frosted cake. You can also add chopped nuts or chocolate shavings for extra flair.
Tips for Caramel Cake Success
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will always yield the best results.
- Let the Cake Cool Completely: This prevents the frosting from melting.
- Get Creative with Frosting and Toppings: Experiment with different frostings and toppings to create your own unique caramel cake.
This recipe is your ticket to baking a spectacular caramel cake. Enjoy the process and the delicious results! Let us know in the comments how your caramel cake turned out! We'd love to see your baking masterpieces.