Thank you so much for joining me in the kitchen today! I’m absolutely thrilled to share my version of this Café‑Style Caramel Coffee Cake Slice—with its elegant layers and latte vibes, it’s sure to transport you right to your favorite bakery. Don’t forget to subscribe for more cozy and creative recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

Overview of Recipe Content

What is this recipe?
A decadent coffee‑infused layer cake with a buttery caramel cream frosting—perfect for serving alongside your morning brew or enjoying as an elegant dessert.

Why you’ll love it:

Bursting with coffee aroma and caramel sweetness
Texture plays between tender crumb and silky frosting
Looks beautifully café-esque—picture‑perfect for brunch or gatherings

Tasting notes:
Earthy espresso, soft brown sugar warmth, and that creamy caramel finish!

When to serve:
Ideal for weekend brunches, afternoon tea, or when you’re craving an indulgent pick‑me‑up.

Ingredients:

1½ cups all‑purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 tsp instant coffee granules + 2 tbsp warm water
½ cup milk

Caramel Cream Frosting:

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
1½ cups powdered sugar
Pinch of salt (adjust to taste)

Tools needed:

8×8 or 9×9 inch square cake pan
Mixing bowls and electric mixer
Saucepan for caramel
Offset spatula or knife for frosting

Suggested substitutions & additions:

Use brewed espresso instead of instant coffee
Vegan swap: plant‑based butter and milk
Add chopped nuts or swirl in dark chocolate chips for a twist

How to Make Café‑Style Caramel Coffee Cake Slice

1. Prep Your Oven & Pan

Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line your cake pan with parchment or lightly grease it—this ensures a clean release later!

2. Whip Up Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Keep it close by.

3. Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar for about 3 minutes until it’s pale, fluffy, and sweet-smelling. You’ll know it’s ready when you poke it and it springs back slightly.

4. Add Eggs

Crack in one egg, mix until blended, then add the second. It should look silky and smooth—if it looks curdled, don’t worry, the milk will smooth it out!

5. Mix Coffee

Dissolve the instant coffee in warm water and stir into the batter.

6. Alternate Flour & Milk

Add your dry mixture and milk in three alternating additions: flour–milk–flour–milk–flour. Start and end with the flour. Mix until just combined—no overmixing!

7. Bake

Pour into the pan, smooth the surface, and bake 25–30 minutes, just until the center is set and the edges are golden. Let cool completely.

8. Make Caramel Cream Frosting

In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir until bubbly.
Slowly whisk in heavy cream and simmer ~2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm.
Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.

9. Frost & Slice

Once the cake cools, spread on a generous layer of caramel frosting. Use your offset spatula to achieve café-style clean edges. Slice into 9 or 12 squares for serving.

What to Serve with Café‑Style Caramel Coffee Cake Slice

Pair with fresh espresso or a frothy café latte
Serve alongside fresh berries or seasonal fruit salad
Add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat

Tips for Making It Perfect

Use room‑temperature ingredients for the fluffiest results
Don’t overbake—peek at 25 minutes! The cake should spring back slightly
Cool cake completely before frosting to keep the frosting stable
Warm frosting just enough to spread easily (cool to lukewarm)

Storage Instructions

Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
Refrigerate if needed—bring to room temp before serving
Freeze un‑iced cake: wrap tightly, freeze up to 2 months. Thaw then frost.

General Information

This cozy cake brings together classic American coffee-cake vibes and café-layer elegance. Brown sugar caramel frosting is inspired by dreamy dessert bars you might find at your local coffee bistro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use all white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Yes, but you’ll lose the rich molasses flavor. If needed, add 1 tbsp molasses per ¾ cup white sugar for flavor.

What if I don’t have instant coffee?
Use 2 tbsp strong brewed coffee—just reduce the milk by the same amount.

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely—just use a 9×13 pan and bake 35–40 minutes.

Is the frosting pourable?
Nope—it should be thick enough to spread but not runny. Cool it to lukewarm before frosting to avoid melting the cake.

Can I make it ahead?
Sure! Bake the cake, wrap airtight, and freeze. Thaw, then frost before serving.

How do I get clean cuts?
Use a hot, sharp knife; wipe between slices for neat portions.

Conclusion

This Café‑Style Caramel Coffee Cake Slice combines elegant layers, latte flavors, and dreamy caramel cream—everything you want in a café treat! Craving more? Try my Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread or Lemon Blueberry Scones next!

Thanks so much for baking with me—share a pic on Pinterest or tag me @poulefrecipe. I love seeing your creations! 💕

Interactive Elements

I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review below—tell me how your slices turned out! And don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest at poulefrecipe or tag me on social!

Nutritional Information

Per Slice	Amount
Calories	~320 kcal
Carbohydrates	38 g
Protein	4 g
Total Fat	17 g
– Saturated Fat	10 g
Sugars	24 g
Fiber	1 g
Sodium	150 mg
Cholesterol	60 mg

Enjoy the café magic at home—and happy baking!

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