Description
Espresso-kissed layers, silky coffee cream, and a buttery caramel drip. This Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake delivers café-level indulgence with simple, homey steps.
Ingredients
- Cake Layers (3 x 8-inch): 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp fine salt; 3 large eggs (room temp); 1 cup whole milk (room temp); 1/2 cup sour cream (room temp); 1/2 cup neutral oil; 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled (or 2 tsp espresso powder + 1/2 cup hot water, cooled); 2 tsp vanilla.
- Quick Caramel: 1 cup granulated sugar; 6 Tbsp unsalted butter (cubed); 1/2 cup warm heavy cream; 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
- Coffee-Caramel Cream: 8 oz mascarpone or cream cheese; 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 Tbsp instant espresso powder; 1/4 cup caramel sauce; 1 tsp vanilla; pinch salt.
- Finish: extra caramel for drip; espresso beans (optional).
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch pans.
- Whisk dry ingredients: flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
- Whisk wet ingredients: eggs, milk, sour cream, oil, coffee, vanilla. Combine with dry until just smooth. Divide among pans.
- Bake 24–28 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, then turn out and cool completely.
- Caramel: Melt sugar over medium heat until amber. Whisk in butter, then slowly whisk in warm cream. Simmer 1 minute; stir in salt. Cool.
- Cream: Beat mascarpone briefly; add cold cream, powdered sugar, espresso powder, caramel, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Whip to medium-stiff peaks.
- Assemble: layer cake with coffee cream between layers. Chill 15–20 minutes.
- Warm caramel to drizzle. Spoon around edges for drip; swirl more in the center. Garnish and chill 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Bake layers and caramel a day ahead for easy assembly. For mocha, add 1/4 cup Dutch cocoa to the flour and brush layers with espresso.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: coffee caramel cake, espresso cake, caramel drip cake, gooey cake, café dessert, special occasion cake