Description
This Decadent Caramel Cake is an irresistible dessert centerpiece layered with moist vanilla cake, rich caramel sauce, and fluffy cream cheese buttercream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream (for caramel)
- 1 cup brown sugar (for caramel)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 10 peanut butter cups, chopped
- ½ cup chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
- 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly among the pans and bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool layers completely.
- For caramel sauce: Melt ½ cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar in a saucepan. Stir for 2–3 minutes. Add ½ cup heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 4–5 minutes, then cool.
- For frosting: Beat 1 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar gradually. Stir in 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
- Place first cake layer on a plate. Spread frosting, drizzle caramel, and repeat. Apply crumb coat, chill for 20 minutes, then frost fully.
- Drizzle cooled caramel over top. Pipe frosting swirls and decorate with peanut butter cups and peanuts. Chill before serving.
Notes
- Perfect for celebrations or weekend baking.
- Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Optional nuts add crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 150mg