Caramel Chocolate Layer Cake

🍫 Caramel Chocolate Layer Cake

Rich chocolate cake, fluffy vanilla cream, gooey caramel, and glossy chocolate ganache come together in an over-the-top dessert. The soft layers and flowing caramel center make every slice irresistible.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup hot coffee or hot water

Vanilla Cream

1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel Layer

1 cup thick caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling

Chocolate Ganache

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
¾ cup heavy cream

Topping

Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings or chocolate cake crumbs

Instructions

Bake the cake: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans. Whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until combined, then slowly stir in the hot coffee. Divide between pans and bake for 28–32 minutes. Cool completely.
Make the cream: Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Make the ganache: Heat ¾ cup heavy cream until steaming. Pour over chocolate chips, wait 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Cool until slightly thickened.
Assemble: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with vanilla cream and a generous layer of caramel. Add the second cake layer.
Cover the top with chocolate ganache, letting some drip down the sides. Pipe whipped cream around the edge and sprinkle with chocolate shavings or crumbs.
Chill for at least 1 hour. For that extra-gooey look, drizzle additional caramel over each slice before serving. 🍫🍮