Description
A rich, ultra-moist chocolate layer cake filled with gooey homemade caramel and topped with silky dark chocolate ganache. Perfect bakery-style celebration cake made at home.
Ingredients
FOR THE CHOCOLATE CAKE:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee
FOR THE CARAMEL FILLING:
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate (chopped)
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter (optional for shine)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 2–3 round cake pans.
2.
3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4.
5. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
6.
7. Slowly add hot coffee and whisk until batter is thin and silky.
8.
9. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes. Let cool completely.
10.
11. To make caramel, heat sugar in a saucepan until melted and amber in color.
12.
13. Add butter and whisk until combined, then slowly add cream and salt. Stir until smooth. Let cool.
14.
15. For ganache, heat cream until steaming and pour over chopped chocolate. Rest 1 minute, then stir until glossy.
16.
17. Assemble cake: layer cake + caramel + cake + caramel + final layer.
18.
19. Pour ganache over top and let it drip naturally.
20.
21. Chill 30–60 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs for best texture.
Do not rush caramel—medium heat prevents burning.
Cool cake completely before assembling.
Refrigerate before slicing for clean layers.
Best served slightly chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg