Description
This Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake is a rich, indulgent dessert with fudgy chocolate layers, silky frosting, and a heavenly salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to wow a crowd with a show-stopping homemade cake.
Ingredients
For the Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
½ cup heavy cream, warm
1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
For the Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3–4 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes
Extra caramel drizzle
Chocolate curls or shavings
Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Divide into pans. Bake 30–35 minutes.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Make caramel: Melt sugar in saucepan until golden. Stir in butter, then cream. Add salt. Cool slightly.
Make frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Mix in powdered sugar and cocoa. Add cream + vanilla until fluffy.
Assemble: Frost layers, drizzle with caramel, and finish with garnishes.
Notes
Caramel sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Warm before using.
Cake layers freeze well (up to 2 months).
For a richer chocolate flavor, add 1 tsp instant espresso to the batter.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 52g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Salted caramel chocolate cake, chocolate layer cake, caramel drip cake