🍫 Chocolate Caramel Cream Layer Cake 🍰

A rich, indulgent 3-layer chocolate cake filled with silky salted caramel, creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting, glossy chocolate ganache, and a crunchy caramel topping. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you’re craving something truly decadent!

Yield: One 8-inch, 3-layer cake (12–14 servings)

🍫 Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 300g all-purpose flour
• 75g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 350g granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 120ml vegetable oil
• 240ml buttermilk
• 240ml hot coffee (or hot water)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Gradually stir in the hot coffee (or hot water). The batter will be thin.
6. Divide evenly between the prepared pans.
7. Bake for 28–35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
8. Cool completely before frosting.

🤍 Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 250g cream cheese, softened
• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 500g icing sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Beat the butter until light and fluffy.
2. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth.
3. Gradually mix in the icing sugar.
4. Add the vanilla and beat until light, creamy, and fluffy.

🧂 Salted Caramel Filling

Ingredients

• 200g granulated sugar
• 60ml water
• 120ml heavy cream, warmed
• 50g unsalted butter
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Heat the sugar and water without stirring until it turns a deep amber colour.
2. Carefully whisk in the warm cream.
3. Add the butter, sea salt, and vanilla.
4. Stir until smooth.
5. Allow to cool completely before using.

🍫 Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 200ml heavy cream

Method

1. Heat the cream until just simmering.
2. Pour over the chopped chocolate.
3. Let stand for 2 minutes.
4. Stir until smooth and glossy.
5. Cool slightly until it reaches a pourable consistency.

✨ Crunchy Caramel Topping

Ingredients

• 80g crushed caramel biscuits or honeycomb pieces
• 30g chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
• Chocolate curls or chocolate chips

Method

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

🎂 Assembly

1. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the first cake layer.
2. Pipe a frosting border around the edge and fill the centre with salted caramel.
3. Repeat with the second cake layer.
4. Place the final cake layer on top.
5. Apply a thin crumb coat and chill for 20 minutes.
6. Cover with the final layer of frosting and chill again.
7. Pour the chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to drip beautifully down the sides.
8. Pipe frosting rosettes around the edge.
9. Generously sprinkle with the crunchy caramel topping.
10. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing for neat, defined layers.

🍰 The Final Result

Every bite is pure indulgence—rich, moist chocolate cake layered with silky vanilla cream cheese frosting, luscious salted caramel, glossy chocolate ganache, and a crunchy caramel topping. A stunning showstopper that’s guaranteed to impress!

❤️ Save this recipe and share it with fellow dessert lovers!