Rich & Velvety Coffee Caramel Cake You’ll Crave
The Rich & Velvety Coffee Caramel Cake You’ll Crave masterfully blends the bold, aromatic intensity of freshly brewed coffee with the smooth, buttery sweetness of caramel. This moist, tender cake offers a decadent yet approachable dessert perfect for any occasion, with customizable layers and a delicate balance of flavors that make it irresistible to coffee and caramel lovers alike.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with modifications)
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 1 cup strong, hot freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Sauce and Topping
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce, warmed
- Sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)
- Prepare the Coffee and Caramel: Brew a strong cup of coffee and allow it to cool slightly. Warm the caramel sauce gently on low heat until pourable and smooth for mixing and topping.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and prevent clumping.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy to aerate the mixture and help the cake rise.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to complement the coffee and caramel flavors.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the flour mixture and brewed coffee to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, then fold in the sour cream for moisture and tenderness.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a greased cake pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- Add Caramel Topping: Drizzle the warmed caramel sauce generously over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired to balance sweetness and add complexity.
Notes
- Use freshly brewed, good-quality coffee for best flavor intensity.
- Mix the batter only until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smooth blending and better texture.
- Warm caramel gently to avoid crystallization and achieve perfect drizzle consistency.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before topping to prevent caramel from melting into the cake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: coffee cake, caramel cake, moist cake, dessert, coffee dessert, caramel dessert, easy baking, rich cake