Name: Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour; ¾ cup (75 g) cocoa powder; 2 cups (400 g) sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 ½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 2 eggs; 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar); ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee (or hot water); 1 cup (200 g) sugar; 6 tbsp (90 g) unsalted butter, cubed; ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream; 1 tsp flaky salt (or to taste); 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; 3–4 cups (360–480 g) powdered sugar; ½ cup cooled salted caramel sauce (from above); 1–2 tbsp cream or milk (to adjust consistency); 100 g dark chocolate; ½ cup heavy cream

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving something decadent, rich, and just a little bit indulgent, you simply cannot miss this Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake. It’s the ultimate celebration of flavors with its moist layers of deep chocolate cake, luxuriously smooth salted caramel sauce, and luscious caramel buttercream frosting. Every bite combines chocolate’s bittersweet allure with the silkiness of salted caramel, making this cake a showstopper that’s perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to treat yourself. Trust me, this Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake will quickly become a beloved favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake lies in its straightforward ingredients, each thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture. From the rich cocoa powder that brings chocolate intensity, to the salty-sweet caramel sauce that elevates every bite, these simple staples create magic when combined.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for a tender cake crumb.
Cocoa powder: Adds robust chocolate flavor and gorgeous dark color.
Sugar: Sweetens and balances the bitterness of cocoa.
Baking powder and baking soda: Offer leavening power, ensuring a light, fluffy texture.
Salt: Enhances flavor depth and complements the caramel perfectly.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to moistness.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tenderness to the cake crumb.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile with warmth.
Hot coffee: Intensifies the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
Sugar (for caramel): Forms the foundation of the salted caramel sauce by melting down into amber goodness.
Unsalted butter: Gives the caramel sauce richness and smooth texture.
Heavy cream: Creates a luscious, creamy caramel sauce and smooth ganache.
Flaky salt: Adds that signature salty punch that turns caramel into salted caramel.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the caramel buttercream frosting.
Dark chocolate (optional): For the decadent ganache drip that takes presentation up a notch.

How to Make Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake

Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers

Start by preheating your oven and preparing your cake pans — greasing and lining them ensures your layers will release perfectly. Mixing the dry ingredients separately from the wet helps blend everything evenly. Adding hot coffee might sound odd, but it’s a secret trick to enhance the chocolate flavor without overpowering the cake with a coffee taste. The batter will be thinner than typical, but that’s just right. Baking until a skewer comes out clean guarantees moist, tender layers that are the perfect canvas for the caramel.

Step 2: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

This is the magic touch that sets this cake apart. Melt sugar with patience and care, waiting for it to transform into a deep amber caramel. Adding butter and cream turns it into a creamy, silky sauce that’s sweet but balanced with just the right amount of salt. Letting it cool to room temperature is essential so it thickens nicely without being runny when mixed into the buttercream.

Step 3: Prepare the Caramel Buttercream

Whip unsalted butter until light and fluffy, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar to create a smooth base frosting. Mixing in half a cup of the cooled salted caramel sauce brings a rich caramel essence that makes this buttercream luscious and unique. Adjusting texture with a little cream helps achieve that perfect piping consistency, whether you’re layering the cake or frosting the outside.

Step 4: Assemble the Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake

Start by leveling the cake layers so they stack evenly, making for a stable, beautiful cake. Spread a generous layer of caramel buttercream on each cake, and don’t be shy with drizzling extra salted caramel sauce over the buttercream for that surprise gooey middle. Repeat for all layers before smothering the whole cake in the remaining buttercream, ensuring every crumb is covered and the cake looks polished.

Step 5: Optional Chocolate Ganache Drip

For a stunning finish, prepare a chocolate ganache by heating cream and pouring it over dark chocolate, mixing until smooth and glossy. Let it cool slightly before letting it drip elegantly over the cake’s edges. This additional touch adds richness and a professional flair to your Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake.

Step 6: Final Touches

Drizzle extra salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky salt to heighten the salty-sweet contrast and add a delicate crunch. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes so everything sets nicely, making each slice neat and satisfying to serve.

How to Serve Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishing, less can be more. A simple sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes the salted caramel pop. For added texture and beauty, scatter some chopped toasted nuts, such as pecans or almonds, or delicate edible gold leaf for a festive touch. Fresh berries can add brightness and balance to the richness.

Side Dishes

Pair this decadent cake with lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the dense chocolate and smooth caramel. Fresh fruit, like raspberries or sliced oranges, works wonderfully to cut through the sweetness, adding a refreshing zing that refreshes the palate between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Try layering individual portions in clear glasses for an elegant parfait-style presentation, alternating cake crumbs, caramel buttercream, and caramel drizzle. For celebrations, personalize with chocolate shards or caramel popcorn accents on top. Serving on a rustic wooden board with caramel sauce artfully drizzled nearby invites your guests to indulge.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake keeps beautifully at room temperature if covered, but for best freshness, store it in the refrigerator. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped or in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors. The flavors actually mature nicely overnight.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this cake later, it freezes well. Wrap individual cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Freeze assembled cakes in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge to preserve texture and flavor.

Reheating

Slices can be brought to room temperature before serving for the best flavor, or enjoy them chilled straight from the fridge. Avoid microwaving as it can melt your buttercream and caramel layers, but if you must warm, do so very gently in short increments.

FAQs

Can I make this cake vegan?

You can adapt the cake by using plant-based milk and egg substitutes, but keep in mind that the butter and cream in caramel sauce and buttercream will need vegan alternatives like coconut cream and vegan butter to maintain the rich, silky texture.

How do I prevent the caramel from crystallizing?

Ensure you stir carefully and avoid adding any impurities, like sugar granules on the sides of the pan. Using a wet pastry brush to wash down the sides helps maintain smooth caramel. Also, be patient as caramel can be sensitive to sudden temperature changes.

Can I use ready-made caramel sauce?

Yes, but homemade salted caramel sauce has a depth and freshness that store-bought varieties lack. If you use pre-made, consider adding a pinch of flaky salt and warming it gently for best results.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries—just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. This substitutes the tang and acidity that help tenderize the cake.

How long does the cake stay fresh?

Stored properly in the refrigerator, this cake stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days. If you make it ahead, it tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld!

Final Thoughts

Making this Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake is truly a labor of love, but the joy it brings is well worth every step. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just a weekend indulgence, this cake guarantees smiles and satisfied sweet cravings. Go ahead, dive into this luscious combination of chocolate and salted caramel—you’ll find it’s a cake you’ll want to make again and again!