Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

Name: Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ¾ cups sugar; ¾ cup cocoa powder; 1 ½ tsp baking powder; 1 ½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 2 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup boiling water; 1 cup sugar; 6 tbsp unsalted butter; ½ cup heavy cream; 1 tsp sea salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 ½ cups powdered sugar; ½ cup cocoa powder; ¼ cup milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract

Highlighted under: Baking & Desserts

Experience the ultimate dessert delight with this decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake. Rich chocolate layers are expertly paired with a luscious salted caramel filling, making every bite a heavenly treat. Perfect for celebrations or a sweet indulgence at home, this cake is sure to impress chocoholics and dessert lovers alike!

Created by

Mia Jefferson

Last updated on 2025-11-29T03:59:44.392Z

This Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake is a delightful blend of flavors that will leave you wanting more. Its rich chocolate layers combined with salty caramel create a harmony that's hard to resist.

A Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion

The Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors that captivates everyone at the table. This cake perfectly balances the richness of chocolate with the sweet and salty notes of caramel, making it suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, or just a cozy gathering at home. Its stunning appearance and indulgent taste will have your guests asking for seconds, or maybe even thirds!

Whether you're hosting a lavish dinner party or enjoying a quiet night in, this cake is the ideal companion. The moist chocolate layers provide a perfect canvas for the velvety salted caramel filling, creating a delightful contrast that leads to an unforgettable experience. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate your dessert even further.

Elevate Your Baking Skills

Baking a cake from scratch may seem intimidating, but making the Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake is an excellent way to sharpen your skills in the kitchen. With simple step-by-step instructions, you'll learn excellent techniques like mixing dry ingredients properly and creating silky frostings. This cake also introduces you to the art of making homemade salted caramel, adding a new culinary skill to your repertoire.

The satisfaction of baking this cake is hard to match. Not only do you get to enjoy a delicious dessert at the end, but the process itself is enjoyable and rewarding. You’ll impress yourself and anyone you share it with—there's something special about serving a cake you've made entirely from scratch.

Storing and Serving Tips

To maintain the freshness of your Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This cake can stay fresh for up to three days. If you’d like it to last longer, consider refrigerating it, which can extend its shelf life for about a week. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before serving to enhance the flavors.

When it comes to serving, a cake knife is essential for cutting neat slices. For an elegant touch, serve each slice with a drizzle of leftover salted caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt on top. This little enhancement not only improves presentation but also intensifies the flavor, making for a truly irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups sugar
¾ cup cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Salted Caramel Filling

1 cup sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
1 tsp sea salt

Chocolate Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Gather all the ingredients before you start to make the process smoother!

Instructions

Prepare the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Slowly stir in the boiling water. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Make the Salted Caramel Filling

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber color. Add the butter, stirring until fully melted. Carefully pour in the cream (it may bubble) and stir until combined. Add the sea salt and mix well. Allow to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with milk, until you reach the desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla.

Assemble the Cake

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread the cooled salted caramel filling over it, then place the second layer on top. Frost the top and sides with chocolate frosting. Drizzle additional salted caramel over the top for decoration.

Make sure to slice and serve with a smile!

Ingredients Overview

Creating the Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake requires a combination of basic baking ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. The chocolate flavor comes from high-quality cocoa powder and is complemented by granulated sugar, which adds sweetness to the cake's rich layers. Don’t forget the addition of eggs, milk, and vegetable oil, which help create a moist and tender cake.

The salted caramel filling is a star ingredient that sets this dessert apart. Using only sugar, butter, heavy cream, and sea salt, it captures simplicity yet delivers a complex flavor experience. Lastly, the chocolate frosting ties everything together with its smooth, indulgent texture, making each bite a layered delight of tastes.

Baking Tips

For the best results, measure your ingredients accurately. Baking is a science, and even slight deviations can affect the final outcome of your cake. Utilizing kitchen scales for dry ingredients can ensure precision, while liquid measuring cups can help with wet ingredients. It’s also important to ensure your baking soda and baking powder are fresh; expired leavening agents can lead to dense cakes.

When mixing your batter, resist over-mixing to prevent a tough cake. Instead, gently combine until just incorporated. This method maintains the delicate texture that we desire in our cakes. Finally, make sure to keep an eye on the baking time to avoid overbaking, which could lead to dryness. Using a toothpick to check for doneness is always a reliable method.

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, the cake layers can be baked a day in advance. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

→ How do I store leftover cake?

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.