Caramel Butter Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting
Caramel Butter Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting is an indulgent dessert featuring a rich, buttery caramel-flavored cake layered with an ultra-smooth, deeply chocolaty frosting. It’s a decadent treat perfect for celebrations or satisfying any serious sweet craving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes (plus cooling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- For the Fudgy Chocolate Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream (more as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and caramel sauce.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder and mix until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream. Mix in vanilla and a pinch of salt. Beat until thick and fluffy, adjusting cream as needed.
- Frost cooled cakes with the fudgy chocolate frosting, layering and covering the top and sides. Drizzle with extra caramel if desired.
- Chill slightly before serving for cleaner slices.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and better texture.
- The cake layers can be made ahead and frozen before frosting.
- Drizzle extra caramel over the top for a stunning finish.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel for a salted caramel twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg