Chocolate Cake Salted Caramel

This chocolate cake salted caramel is a showstopper! Moist, rich chocolate cake topped with a tangy salted caramel cream cheese frosting, finished with a drizzle of salted caramel. Oh my gosh, it’s dreamy. The balance of flavors—the slight tang of the cream cheese, the deep, salty-sweet caramel, and the luxurious dark chocolate—creates a dessert that’s simply irresistible. Chocolate caramel cake is a must-make for any celebration!

Whip up this dreamy caramel chocolate cake for any occasion—whether it's a birthday, a fun baking night, or a special celebration. It's easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser every time! If you love cake, check out my coffee chocolate cake and white chocolate mousse cake too!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tanginess from the cream cheese, the sweet and salty caramel, and the rich chocolate create an incredible flavor medley.
• Moist and Tender Texture: Ingredients like sour cream and vegetable oil work together to give the cake an unbelievably moist and soft crumb. Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache has the same texture.
• Homemade Salted Caramel: This caramel is rich, buttery, and adds a decadent touch that elevates the entire dessert. Check out my caramel recipe here, just omit the whiskey!

Equipment

A kitchen scale ensures precise measurements, leading to consistent results every time. Baking is a science, and a scale eliminates guesswork by providing exact amounts of each ingredient. No more packed flour or uneven sugar scoops—just reliable perfection for your bakes and less clean up!

Ingredients

What you'll need for chocolate cake salted caramel:

• Natural Cocoa Powder: Gives the cake its deep and intense chocolate flavor that’s hard to resist. I have not tested this with dutch processed cocoa powder.
• Coffee in the Cake: Intensifies the chocolate flavor without leaving any noticeable coffee taste. I use instant espresso powder with hot water.
• Sour Cream and Vegetable Oil: These two ingredients ensure the cake stays moist and tender for days.
• Heavy Cream in the Salted Caramel Sauce: Adds a velvety smoothness and richness to the caramel sauce. Check out my caramel coffee cake!
• Full-Fat Brick-Style Cream Cheese: Essential for a frosting that’s creamy, tangy, and stable. Pumpkin olive oil cake has cream cheese frosting too!
• Kosher Salt: Brings out the flavors in every component and balances the sweetness perfectly.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Substitutions

Variations for chocolate and caramel cake:

• Serve with Berries: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries complement the rich chocolate and caramel flavors beautifully.
• Add Orange Zest: Mix orange zest into the batter for a subtle citrus twist that pairs well with chocolate like this orange cake with chocolate ganache!
• Add Espresso: Stir in more espresso powder to the hot coffee for a mocha-inspired flavor boost.
• Make Two Cakes in Round Pans for a Layer Cake: Transform the recipe into an elegant layer cake by baking it in two round pans and stacking the layers with frosting and caramel. My chocolate cranberry cake is layered too!

This chocolate cake salted caramel recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.

Instructions

Let's make this cake caramel recipe!

Step 1. Make the salted caramel sauce first so it has time to cool down. Grab the recipe here (omit the whiskey) for pro tips and more details making your own caramel sauce.

Step 2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together 1 cup granulated sugar,1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup natural cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.

Step 3. In another bowl, beat together 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and ¼ cup room temperature sour cream.

Step 4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 5. Pour the hot coffee into the batter and beat until fully incorporated. Do not over mix.
Pour into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Don't open the oven door while the cake is baking.

Step 6. Beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and caramel until smooth and combined.

Step 7. Add the powdered sugar, beat until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Step 8. Top the cooled down cake with the frosting, spreading it out evenly. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of salted caramel swirl it in with a spoon or offset spatula. Serve with more caramel if desired.

Hint: I highly recommend lining the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Pro tips

• Don’t Over mix the Batter: Over mixing can result in a dense, heavy chocolate salted caramel cake, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use Hot Coffee: Hot coffee helps to dissolve the cocoa powder completely and enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
• Never made Caramel?: If you’re new to caramel-making, check out this recipe post for detailed tips and techniques.
• Avoid Opening the Oven Door: Resist the temptation to peek, as this can cause the chocolate cake salted caramel to sink in the middle.
• Line the Baking Pan with Parchment Paper: This makes it much easier to remove the cake from the pan without any sticking.

FAQ

Storage

Room Temperature

For short-term storage, keep the cake at room temperature for up to one day. Be sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying out.

Refrigerator

If storing in the fridge, note that refrigeration can dry out the cake. To minimize this, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Consume within two days for the best texture and flavor.

Freezer

For longer storage, the freezer is your best option. Wrap the cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Properly stored, the cake will keep well for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before serving.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

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📖 Recipe

Chocolate Cake Salted Caramel

Amanda Valsamis

Chocolate cake salted caramel! Moist, rich chocolate cake layered with a tangy salted caramel cream cheese frosting, drizzled with ribbons of salted caramel. Oh my gosh, it’s dreamy and a breeze to make!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 27 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 slices

Equipment

• Metal 8X8 baking pan metal is best
• Parchment Paper
• Handheld or stand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups or kitchen scale
• Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

  

Chocolate Cake

• 1 cup (211 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (127 grams) all purpose flour
• ½ cup (46 grams) natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (63 grams) whole milk room temperature, 2% will work as well
• ¼ cup (59 grams) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (61 grams) sour cream full fat, room temp
• ½ cup (93 grams) hot coffee don't skip the coffee- it won't taste like coffee just makes the flavors pop. You can mix 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder with ½ cup of hot water

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) salted butter room temperature (add a pinch of salt if you do not have salted butter)
• 4 oz (120 grams) cream cheese full fat, brick style, room temperature
• ⅓ cup (88 grams) salted caramel sauce (plus extra for topping the cake) cold
• 1 ¾ cups (241 grams) powdered sugar

Instructions

 

• If you plan on making caramel sauce from scratch click on the recipe in the notes below and make it first so it has time to cool and thicken. You can use store bought caramel if desired.
• Place the caramel in the fridge to cool down. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8X8 metal baking pan with parchment paper, going up and over the sides.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup natural cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
• In another bowl, beat together 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup vegetable oil, and ¼ cup room temperature sour cream.
• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, beating until just combined.
• Pour the hot coffee into the batter and beat until fully incorporated. Do not over mix.
• Pour into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Don't open the oven door while the cake is baking.
• Let cool while making the frosting.

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and caramel until smooth and combined.
• Add the powdered sugar, beat until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Top the cooled down cake with the frosting, spreading it out evenly. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of salted caramel swirl it in with a spoon or offset spatula. Serve with more caramel if desired.

Notes

Never made Caramel?: If you’re new to caramel-making, check out this recipe post for detailed tips and techniques. Just omit the whiskey!

Don’t Over mix the Batter: Over mixing can result in a dense, heavy chocolate salted caramel cake, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.

Use Hot Coffee: Hot coffee helps to dissolve the cocoa powder completely and enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.

Avoid Opening the Oven Door: Resist the temptation to peek, as this can cause the cake to sink in the middle.

Line the Baking Pan with Parchment Paper: This makes it much easier to remove the cake from the pan without any sticking.

Storage

Room Temperature

For short-term storage, keep the cake at room temperature for up to one day. Be sure to cover it well to prevent it from drying out.

Refrigerator

If storing in the fridge, note that refrigeration can dry out the cake. To minimize this, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Consume within two days for the best texture and flavor.

Freezer

For longer storage, the freezer is your best option. Wrap the cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Properly stored, the cake will keep well for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before serving.