Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake
A rich and indulgent dessert masterpiece, this Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake combines moist vanilla-coffee layers with a luscious caramel-infused espresso buttercream. Perfect for special occasions, holidays, or any time you need a show-stopping sweet treat.
Ingredients
- Cake Layers
- 2 ½ cups | All-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons | Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon | Salt
- 1 cup | Unsalted butter | Softened to room temperature
- 1 cup | Brown sugar | Packed
- ½ cup | Granulated sugar
- 4 | Large eggs
- 1 tablespoon | Vanilla extract
- 1 cup | Whole milk
- ¾ cup | Strong brewed coffee | Cooled to room temperature
- Caramel Coffee Buttercream
- 1 ½ cups | Unsalted butter | Softened
- 4 to 5 cups | Powdered sugar
- ½ cup | Caramel sauce | Room temperature
- 1 tablespoon | Instant espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons | Heavy cream | More if needed
- Pinch | Salt | Optional to balance sweetness
- Optional Garnish
- ¼ cup | Caramel sauce | For drizzling
- 2 tablespoons | Crushed toffee or sea salt | For garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans : Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients : In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars : Using a mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add brown and white sugar gradually. Beat until pale and fluffy.
- Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla : Mix in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients : On low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and coffee. Start and end with the flour mixture. Do not overmix.
- Step 6: Bake : Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7: Make the Buttercream : In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add caramel sauce, espresso dissolved in cream, and beat again until smooth.
- Step 8: Assemble the Cake : Level cooled cake layers if needed. Place the first layer on a cake stand and spread buttercream on top. Add the second layer, then frost the top and sides.
- Step 9: Garnish: Drizzle caramel over the top. Sprinkle with sea salt or crushed toffee.
- Step 10: Rest and Serve : Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow the buttercream to soften.