Decadent Chocolate Caramel Toffee Cake Recipe
Indulge in this Decadent Chocolate Caramel Toffee Cake, featuring rich cocoa-infused layers, luscious caramel sauce, and a creamy buttercream frosting studded with crunchy toffee bits. This show-stopping dessert combines moist chocolate cake with smooth caramel and crispy textures for a truly irresistible treat.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed recommended)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (from above)
- 1 cup toffee bits
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure there are no lumps and for even distribution of rising agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, creating a perfect base for the cake.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to keep the batter smooth and emulsified.
- Combine Batter: Gradually alternate adding the sifted dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mix. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, signaling doneness.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before turning them onto a wire rack to cool fully. Once cool, level any domed tops with a serrated knife for even stacking.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of granulated sugar slowly until it turns a deep amber color. Carefully stir in the heavy cream and mix until smooth. Allow the caramel to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare Buttercream: Beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Fold in 1/2 cup of the cooled caramel sauce to infuse flavor into the frosting.
- Assemble the Cake: On a serving plate, place one cake layer. Spread a layer of caramel sauce and buttercream between the cakes. Add the second cake layer on top and chill briefly to set the filling.
- Frost and Decorate: Cover the entire cake with the remaining buttercream, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top, and sprinkle generously with toffee bits for crunch and decoration.
Notes
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor.
- Ensure baking soda is fresh for optimal rise in the cake layers.
- Carefully monitor the caramel sugar as it melts to prevent burning.
- Cooling the caramel before mixing it into the frosting avoids melting the buttercream.
- Chilling the assembled cake layers before final frosting helps maintain structure.
Keywords: Chocolate Cake, Caramel Cake, Toffee, Buttercream Frosting, Decadent Dessert, Chocolate Toffee Cake