Indulgently Dangerous Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake — 9 Powerful Reasons This Showstopper Owns Every Celebration

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By Gianna Poulef

Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake

Thank you for being here, truly . This is one of those recipes that makes people pause mid-bite, close their eyes, and quietly say “wow.” This Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake is rich, moist, deeply chocolatey, and layered with luscious caramel that slowly oozes into every crumb — pure dessert drama in the very best way.

Let’s make it crystal clear for SEO and chocolate lovers everywhere: Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake is a moist cocoa-rich layer cake filled and topped with silky caramel and glossy chocolate ganache. It’s bold, indulgent, and absolutely unforgettable.

If you love bakery-style cakes made with real ingredients and real soul, don’t forget to subscribe by email — I only share recipes worth the calories

Overview of Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake

This cake is unapologetically rich. It’s the kind of dessert you bake for birthdays, holidays, or when you want to win dessert forever.

Why you’ll love it

  • Deep, intense chocolate flavor
  • Ultra-moist crumb
  • Gooey caramel center
  • Stunning presentation
  • Perfect for celebrations and special occasions

What it tastes like
Dark chocolate cake with a tender crumb, layered with buttery caramel and finished with a smooth chocolate ganache. Sweet, slightly bitter, buttery, and luxurious — every forkful feels like a celebration.

Ingredients

This Now, Make It Later!

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 240 g all-purpose flour
  • 75 g unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 300 g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 120 ml vegetable oil
  • 240 ml whole milk
  • 240 ml hot brewed coffee (or hot water)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Filling

  • 200 g soft caramel candies or thick caramel sauce
  • 120 ml heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt (optional, for salted caramel)

For the Chocolate Ganache

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

Optional Garnish

  • Flaky sea salt
  • Extra caramel drizzle
  • Chocolate shavings

Tools You’ll Need

  • 2 × 8-inch round cake pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Saucepan
  • Offset spatula
  • Cooling rack

Substitutions & Additions

  • Swap coffee for hot water (coffee deepens chocolate flavor)
  • Use gluten-free 1:1 flour if needed
  • Add espresso powder (½ tsp) for richer chocolate
  • Turn it into cupcakes — bake 18–20 minutes

If rich desserts are your thing, you’ll also love:

And for daily dessert inspiration:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/

How to Make Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake

This cake looks fancy — but the process is beautifully straightforward.

  1. Preheat & Prepare
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients
    Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients
    Whisk in eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Add Hot Coffee
    Slowly pour in hot coffee, whisking gently. Batter will be thin — perfect!
  5. Bake
    Divide batter evenly and bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Make the Caramel
    Heat caramel candies and cream gently until smooth. Stir in salt if using.
  7. Prepare Ganache
    Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir smooth.
  8. Assemble
    Spread caramel between cake layers. Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
  9. Set & Serve
    Let set 20 minutes before slicing.

What to Serve with Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake

  • Vanilla bean ice cream
  • Espresso or cappuccino
  • Fresh berries
  • A glass of cold milk

Tips for Making It Perfect

  • Use room-temperature eggs
  • Don’t overbake — moistness is key
  • Let ganache cool slightly before pouring
  • Chill briefly for clean slices

Storage Instructions

  • Room temperature: 1 day, covered
  • Refrigerator: Up to 5 days
  • Freezer: Freeze slices up to 2 months
  • Reheat: Serve slightly chilled or room temp

General Information

Chocolate-caramel cakes are a timeless favorite across American and European bakeries — combining bitterness, sweetness, and richness into one unforgettable dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Flavors deepen overnight.

Can I use store-bought caramel?
Absolutely — thick caramel sauce works perfectly.

Is coffee necessary?
No, but it intensifies chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — use dairy-free milk, cream, and chocolate.

Conclusion

This Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake is bold, indulgent, and unforgettable — the kind of dessert people request again and again. Whether it’s a celebration or just a serious chocolate craving, this cake always delivers.

If you loved this, don’t miss my Gooey Chocolate Pecan Dream Cake or Ferrero Rocher Cake next.

Interactive Elements

Leave a review, drop a comment, and share your cake on Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/

Nutritional Information (Per Slice – Approx.)

NutrientAmount
Calories480
Fat26g
Carbohydrates56g
Sugar38g
Protein6g
Sodium210mg
Print
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Indulgently Dangerous Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake — 9 Powerful Reasons This Showstopper Owns Every Celebration


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  • Author: Gianna Poulef
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 slices 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake is rich, ultra-moist, and layered with gooey caramel and silky chocolate ganache. A bold, indulgent dessert perfect for celebrations and chocolate lovers.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

240 g all-purpose flour

75 g unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

300 g granulated sugar

2 large eggs

120 ml vegetable oil

240 ml whole milk

240 ml hot coffee or water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Filling:

200 g caramel candies or thick caramel sauce

120 ml heavy cream

¼ teaspoon sea salt (optional)

For the Ganache:

200 g dark chocolate

180 ml heavy cream


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 8-inch cake pans.

2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

3. Add eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla and mix until smooth.

4. Slowly whisk in hot coffee.

5. Divide batter evenly and bake 30–35 minutes.

6. Heat caramel and cream gently until smooth.

7. Pour hot cream over chocolate and stir to make ganache.

8. Spread caramel between cake layers.

9. Pour ganache over the cake and let set before slicing.

Notes

Coffee enhances chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.

Do not overbake for best moisture.

Let ganache cool slightly before pouring.

Chill briefly for clean slices.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 38g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg
Indulgently Dangerous Decadent Caramel Chocolate Cake — 9 Powerful Reasons This Showstopper Owns Every Celebration
Gianna Poulef
CEO, Chef & Recipe Creator at BLYNO LLC | Website

I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.

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