If you adore the cozy, rich flavors of coffee and caramel combined into a dessert that feels like a warm hug, you are going to fall head over heels for this Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe. This cake brings together moist layers infused with strong brewed coffee, a velvety coffee buttercream, and luscious caramel sauce that seeps into every bite, creating an irresistible gooey texture. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving something indulgent, this cake stands out with its perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, making it a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this cake lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each component plays its part in delivering the perfect flavor, texture, and aroma. From the all-purpose flour giving structure, to the bold brewed coffee adding depth, and the rich caramel sauce bringing that signature gooey finish, these essentials come together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy foundation necessary for tender, fluffy cake layers.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Help the cake rise to light perfection with a delicate crumb.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, balancing sweetness and bitterness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, key for both cake and frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Sweeter the cake layers and caramel sauce, ensuring balanced sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake’s structure.
- Vanilla extract: Lends a fragrant warmth to both the cake and frosting.
- Strong brewed coffee: Infuses a robust flavor that makes this cake uniquely irresistible.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the cake and adds slight tang for flavor complexity.
- Powdered sugar: The secret to smooth, creamy coffee buttercream.
- Heavy cream: Combines with sugar to create luscious caramel sauce.
- Sea salt: Perfectly balances the caramel’s sweetness with a savory touch.
- Coffee beans (for garnish): Adds a sophisticated visual and aromatic finish.
How to Make Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Batter with Care
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing your cake pans by greasing and flouring three 8-inch rounds. Whisk together your dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – ensuring even distribution so every bite has consistent texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Using a mixer, beat softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain that airy texture. Follow with vanilla extract, mixing just enough so its aroma melds perfectly with the batter.
Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Coffee Mixture
Combine cooled strong brewed coffee and buttermilk, then add to the butter mixture alternating with the flour mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients, gently mixing after each addition to keep the batter tender and avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes. Use a toothpick test to confirm doneness – it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let your cakes cool in the pans briefly before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 6: Whip Up the Coffee Buttercream
Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar a cup at a time to avoid a grainy texture. Mix in brewed coffee and vanilla extract and continue beating until the buttercream is fluffy and spreadable, ready to perfectly complement the coffee-flavored cake layers.
Step 7: Craft the Irresistible Caramel Sauce
In a saucepan, dissolve granulated sugar in water over medium heat, allowing it to boil without stirring once dissolved, until it deepens to a gorgeous amber hue. Carefully add heavy cream and stir constantly—this stage demands caution as it bubbles vigorously. Finish by stirring in butter and sea salt until smooth and glossy, creating that signature gooey caramel that makes this cake unforgettable.
Step 8: Assemble Your Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe
Place the first cooled cake layer on your serving plate, spread an even layer of coffee buttercream, and drizzle with luscious caramel sauce. Repeat this layering with the next cake, topping with the final cake layer and ensuring the whole cake is frosted evenly. Finally, drizzle extra caramel sauce on top, letting it cascade down the sides, and garnish with coffee beans for a classy touch.
How to Serve Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A few coffee beans artfully sprinkled on top add a sophisticated aroma and an elegant visual contrast to the glossy caramel. You can also dust a light sprinkle of cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts for extra texture.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. For a cozy experience, serve alongside a cup of hot black coffee or a rich latte to echo the coffee notes in the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your cake the star by serving individual slices on minimalist plates, each adorned with a caramel drizzle and a fresh mint leaf. Alternatively, create layered mini cakes or cupcakes using this same recipe for smaller gatherings or delightful gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This helps keep the buttercream firm and prevents the caramel from becoming overly sticky.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and assembling your cake.
Reheating
To enjoy the cake slightly warm, allowing that caramel to turn extra gooey, gently warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating to prevent the buttercream from melting too much.
FAQs
Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?
Absolutely! Dissolve instant coffee granules in hot water to replace brewed coffee. This won’t affect the flavor much and can be a convenient substitute.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No worries! You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
How do I prevent my caramel sauce from crystallizing?
Make sure not to stir the sugar once it starts boiling. Allow it to heat undisturbed until it reaches the right amber color for a smooth caramel.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, you can adapt this recipe while maintaining great flavor and texture.
Is it okay to prepare the entire cake a day ahead?
Definitely! The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, and the cake will be easier to slice once chilled.
Final Thoughts
Making this Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe is like a little celebration every time you slice into its tender layers enveloped in rich coffee flavor and decadent caramel. It’s the kind of dessert you’ll want to keep making again and again to delight yourself and loved ones. So don’t hesitate—gather your ingredients and bake this heavenly cake today. Your taste buds will thank you!
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Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake is a decadent layered dessert that combines the rich flavors of strong brewed coffee with a moist butter cake, smooth coffee buttercream, and luscious homemade caramel sauce. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sea salt and topped with coffee beans, it’s an indulgent treat for coffee lovers and cake enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Cake Layers
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Coffee Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Garnish
- Extra caramel sauce
- Coffee beans
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans to prepare them for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for later incorporation into the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a smooth texture for the cake layers.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure emulsification. Then add the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
- Combine Coffee and Buttermilk: In a separate bowl, mix the cooled strong brewed coffee with the buttermilk to prepare the wet ingredients for the batter.
- Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in portions, alternating with the coffee and buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Divide and Bake: Evenly distribute the cake batter between the three prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Coffee Buttercream: Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the brewed coffee and vanilla extract, then continue beating until the buttercream is light and fluffy.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then avoid stirring as it boils until reaching a deep amber color. Carefully remove from heat, slowly add the heavy cream while stirring constantly to prevent burning, then stir in butter and sea salt until smooth. Let cool slightly before use.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread an even layer of coffee buttercream on top. Drizzle caramel sauce over the buttercream. Repeat this layering process with the second cake layer.
- Finish Assembly and Decorate: Place the third cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining coffee buttercream. Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides, and garnish with whole coffee beans for a decorative touch.
Notes
- Use strong brewed coffee for an intense coffee flavor in both the cake and buttercream.
- Ensure the cake pans are well greased and floured to prevent sticking.
- Allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly before drizzling to avoid melting the buttercream.
- Store the cake refrigerated if not consuming immediately to maintain freshness.
- The cake layers can be made a day ahead and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for convenience.
