Description
Warm coffee caramel cake melts right into your dessert dreams, bringing rich layers of sweet comfort to your kitchen table. Creamy caramel and bold coffee notes dance together, creating a delectable treat that feels like a warm hug from an old friend.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup milk
Supporting Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup vegetable oil
- 0.25 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasoning and Leavening Agents:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Whisk 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium mixing bowl until combined.
- In a separate bowl, blend ½ cup milk, ¼ cup strong brewed coffee, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 large egg until smooth.
- Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid aggressive mixing to keep the cake tender.
- Transfer batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While cake bakes, prepare caramel sauce by combining 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a saucepan.
- Simmer caramel sauce over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Poke multiple holes across the surface using a wooden skewer.
- Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and coat the surface. Serve slightly warm for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Check the cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center, which should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
- For a richer coffee flavor, use espresso instead of regular brewed coffee and consider adding a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to the batter.
- When making caramel, watch the mixture carefully to prevent burning and stir consistently for smooth, even texture.
- To make the cake gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 371 kcal
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 213 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
- Cholesterol: 48 mg