Salted Caramel Cake Recipe

There's something magical about the perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes a salted caramel cake absolutely irresistible. This decadent dessert combines rich chocolate cake layers with silky caramel frosting and a hint of sea salt that brings out every flavor note beautifully. When you bite into this salted caramel cake, you'll experience layers of moist cake, creamy buttercream, and that signature caramel drizzle that makes this recipe truly special.

I've been perfecting this salted caramel cake recipe for years, and it never fails to impress guests at dinner parties or family gatherings. The combination of homemade caramel sauce with flaky sea salt creates that perfect sweet and salty cake experience that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. This salted caramel cake has become my go-to dessert when I want to create something that looks professionally made but is surprisingly manageable in a home kitchen.

Why This Salted Caramel Cake Recipe Stands Out

What makes this salted caramel cake different from other dessert recipes is the careful balance of flavors and textures. While many caramel cake recipes rely on store-bought caramel sauce, this homemade version creates a deeper, more complex flavor that pairs perfectly with the moist chocolate base. The key to this salted caramel cake success lies in making your own caramel from scratch, which gives you complete control over the sweetness and consistency.

The layered approach to building this salted caramel cake ensures every bite delivers the perfect ratio of cake to frosting to caramel drizzle. Unlike single-layer cakes that can become overwhelming, this method creates visual appeal while maintaining balanced flavors throughout. The sea salt caramel component adds sophistication that transforms a simple cake into a restaurant-quality dessert that rivals any bakery creation.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• The Secret to Bakery-Quality Results
• FAQ
• Sweetness Worth Sharing
• Related
• Pairing
• 7-Layer Salted Caramel Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake Base:

• All-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• Hot coffee

For Salted Caramel Sauce:

• Granulated sugar
• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Sea salt

For Buttercream Frosting:

• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Caramel sauce
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round pans with butter and flour
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined
3. In separate bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk, oil, and hot coffee, mixing until smooth
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring until just combined without overmixing
5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 28-32 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely

Step 2: Create Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

1. In heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber colored
2. Add butter carefully (mixture will bubble vigorously) and whisk until completely melted and smooth
3. Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking continuously to prevent seizing
4. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt, then let cool for 15 minutes before using
5. Reserve ½ cup for frosting and keep remainder for drizzling and decoration

Step 3: Make Caramel Buttercream Frosting

1. In large bowl, beat softened butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition
3. Mix in ½ cup cooled caramel sauce and vanilla extract until fully incorporated
4. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached
5. Beat frosting for additional 2 minutes until smooth and pipeable

Step 4: Assemble Your 7-Layer Salted Caramel Cake

1. Place first cake layer on serving plate and spread ⅙ of buttercream evenly across surface
2. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over each frosting layer
3. Continue layering: cake, frosting, caramel drizzle, repeating until all 7 layers are stacked
4. Apply remaining frosting to top and sides, creating smooth finish with offset spatula
5. Create decorative swirls on top and drizzle generous amount of caramel sauce over entire cake
6. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over top and lightly on sides for visual appeal
7. Refrigerate for 45 minutes before serving to set all layers and allow flavors to meld properly

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect salted caramel cake requires attention to several key techniques that separate good cakes from exceptional ones.

Caramel Making Mastery

• Watch sugar carefully during melting process ; it can go from perfect amber to burnt in seconds
• Use heavy-bottomed pan to prevent hot spots that cause uneven caramelization
• Have all ingredients measured and ready before starting caramel process
• If caramel seizes when adding cream, return to low heat and whisk until smooth

Cake Texture Secrets

• Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create smoother batter
• Don't overmix batter once flour is added ; this can create tough, dense cake
• Hot coffee blooms cocoa powder and intensifies chocolate flavor without making cake coffee-flavored
• Test doneness with toothpick in center ; it should come out with just few moist crumbs

Frosting and Assembly

• Cool cake layers completely before frosting to prevent melting
• Chill frosting for 15 minutes if it becomes too soft during application
• Apply thin crumb coat first, then chill before adding final frosting layer
• Use bench scraper for smooth sides and offset spatula for decorative swirls

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

This versatile salted caramel cake adapts beautifully to different dietary needs and flavor preferences while maintaining its signature appeal.

Dietary Modifications For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free baking blend (add ½ teaspoon xanthan gum if blend doesn't include it). Those avoiding dairy can use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and vegan butter substitutes, though caramel texture may be slightly different. Sugar-conscious bakers can reduce granulated sugar by ¼ cup in cake batter without significantly affecting texture.

Flavor Variations

• Chocolate Salted Caramel: Add ½ cup chocolate chips to batter for extra richness
• Espresso Caramel: Replace hot coffee with strong espresso for deeper flavor
• Bourbon Caramel: Add 2 tablespoons bourbon to caramel sauce for adult twist
• Vanilla Bean: Scrape seeds from vanilla bean pod into frosting for gourmet touch
• Coconut Caramel: Fold ½ cup toasted coconut flakes into frosting

Texture Modifications Transform this into cupcakes by dividing batter among 24 cupcake liners and baking 18-22 minutes. For sheet cake version, use 13x9 inch pan and bake 35-40 minutes. Create individual desserts by baking in ramekins for 20-25 minutes.

Equipment Recommendations

Having the right tools makes creating this salted caramel cake much easier and ensures professional-looking results every time.

Essential Baking Equipment

• Two 9-inch round cake pans with straight sides for even layers
• Heavy-bottomed saucepan for caramel making (prevents scorching)
• Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer) for smooth frosting
• Offset spatula for frosting application and smoothing
• Wire cooling racks to prevent soggy cake bottoms

Helpful But Optional Tools

• Bench scraper for perfectly smooth frosting sides
• Digital kitchen scale for most accurate measurements
• Candy thermometer for precise caramel temperature
• Cake turntable for easier decorating access
• Fine-mesh strainer for silky smooth caramel sauce

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Proper storage ensures your salted caramel cake maintains its perfect texture and flavor for several days after baking.

Short-term Storage Store finished cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The caramel components actually improve in flavor after sitting overnight as flavors meld together. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in airtight cake container to prevent drying out.

Make-Ahead Strategies

• Cake Layers: Bake and cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months
• Caramel Sauce: Make up to 1 week ahead and store refrigerated; reheat gently before using
• Buttercream: Prepare up to 3 days ahead and store refrigerated; re-whip before use

Freezing Instructions Wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze assembled cake by placing in freezer uncovered for 1 hour to set frosting, then wrap carefully. Thaw frozen cake layers at room temperature for 2 hours before frosting.

FAQ

Sweetness Worth Sharing

This salted caramel cake recipe delivers everything you want in a show-stopping dessert ; rich chocolate cake, silky caramel frosting, and that perfect sweet-salty balance that keeps everyone talking. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, this salted caramel cake creates memories that last long after the last bite. The combination of homemade caramel sauce and professional techniques ensures your cake rivals any bakery creation.

Once you've mastered this salted caramel cake, consider expanding your caramel dessert repertoire with Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies for a handheld treat, or try Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe for when you want that same amazing flavor in a simpler format. Both recipes use similar techniques but offer different ways to enjoy that irresistible caramel and sea salt combination that makes desserts truly unforgettable.

Sweet treats are meant to be shared and savored ; happy baking!✨  ; Viola

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Salted Caramel Cake Recipe: