If you are a lover of all things coffee and caramel, then this Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe will absolutely blow your taste buds away. Imagine tender, moist cake layers infused with rich coffee and caramel flavors, all wrapped up in a luxuriously creamy coffee buttercream frosting. This cake is like your favorite caramel latte transformed into a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for celebrations, afternoon treats, or anytime you want a slice of pure indulgence. Trust me, once you try this, it will become a staple in your dessert repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating this cake requires simple, straightforward ingredients, but each one brings something special to the table to build that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy butter to the bold brewed coffee, every element plays a crucial role in making this cake unforgettable.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to keep the cake perfectly soft.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, providing structure without heaviness.
- Unsalted butter: Used in both batter and frosting, it gives richness and a smooth texture.
- Caramel sauce: Infuses sweet, buttery depth in the layers and as a drizzle on top.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully without any bitterness.
- Baking soda: Enhances the cake’s lightness while balancing acidity.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the sweet flavors.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake with a subtle crunch during creaming.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel undertone for complexity.
- Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with warming notes that marry coffee and caramel perfectly.
- Strong brewed coffee: The star flavor that energizes the entire cake with its boldness.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and lightens the buttercream for dreamy frosting.
How to Make Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pans
The foundation of a perfect cake starts with a properly heated oven. Set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), and make sure to grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. This ensures your delicate layers slide out flawless, ready to dazzle.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Combine your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisking these together not only distributes everything evenly but helps the baking powder and soda work their magic uniformly, giving you a lovely rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with granulated and brown sugar until the mixture becomes soft, light, and fluffy. This step is critical because creaming incorporates air into the batter, which creates a tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Introduce the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed before adding the next. This slow addition prevents the batter from curdling while giving a velvety texture and wonderful structure to your cake. Stir in the vanilla extract for warmth.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Alternate adding the flour mixture with whole milk and cooled brewed coffee, beginning and ending with the flour. This technique helps maintain a smooth batter without overmixing, ensuring moist, soft cake layers rich in coffee flavor.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Divide the batter evenly among your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean. Once out, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here rewards you with perfectly textured cake.
Step 7: Whip Up the Coffee Buttercream
Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar. Stir in the cooled coffee, caramel sauce, and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. This luscious buttercream perfectly complements the layers with its sweet coffee kick.
Step 8: Assemble Your Cake Layers
Place your first cake layer on a serving plate and spread about a third of the caramel sauce over it. Repeat with the second layer and caramel, then top with the final cake circle. Cover the outside of the cake generously with the coffee buttercream, turning it into a stunning centerpiece.
Step 9: Finish with a Drizzle
The final touch is a drizzle of extra caramel sauce over the top, adding shine, sweetness, and that irresistible wow factor just before slicing and serving. Each bite melts with that perfect blend of coffee, caramel, and buttery richness.
How to Serve Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra charm, sprinkle some finely chopped toasted pecans or a light dusting of cocoa powder atop the cake before serving. These simple garnishes not only lend texture but elevate the visual appeal, making your cake Instagram-worthy in no time.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the intense flavors. Fresh berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries also add a bright, tart contrast that complements the richness flawlessly.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this cake into an interactive dessert by serving it with small bowls of coffee syrup and extra caramel sauce, allowing guests to customize each bite. For a rustic twist, serve individual mini versions in mason jars layered with coffee whipped cream and caramel drizzle for a fun handheld treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your delicious Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the cake fresh for about 3 to 4 days while preserving the moistness and vibrant flavors.
Freezing
To keep your cake longer, freeze it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It can last up to two months in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before frosting or serving for the best texture.
Reheating
If you like your cake slightly warm, briefly reheating a slice in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds awakens the caramel and coffee notes beautifully without drying it out. Just make sure not to melt the frosting completely unless you prefer it soft.
FAQs
Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?
Absolutely! Just dissolve a tablespoon of instant coffee in the milk before adding to the batter to get that rich coffee flavor in your Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe.
Is it necessary to use unsalted butter?
Using unsalted butter gives you full control over the salt content, but if salted butter is what you have, just omit or reduce the added salt in the recipe to keep flavors balanced.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or add some to help with structure and texture.
How do I prevent the coffee flavor from being too bitter?
Using strong but smooth coffee and balancing it with the sweetness of caramel and buttercream ensures the coffee flavor is bold but never bitter. Also, don’t add extra coffee beyond what’s called for—it’s all about harmony.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce, or should I make it from scratch?
Store-bought caramel sauce works wonderfully and saves time, but homemade caramel adds a personal touch with richer, fresher flavor. Either way, your cake will be delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe is truly a show-stopper that brings the warm comfort of a caramel latte right to your dessert table. With every bite, you experience layers of moist, tender cake, sweet caramel, and bold coffee flavor wrapped in silky buttercream. If you love coffee and caramel as much as I do, you owe it to yourself to whip up this indulgent treat. I can’t wait for you to try it and share the joy it brings!
Print
Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream combines rich coffee flavor with luscious caramel for a show-stopping dessert. Layers of moist cake infused with brewed coffee are complemented by a silky coffee buttercream frosting and sweet caramel drizzle, perfect for any coffee lover’s celebration.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration:
- 1 cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate air. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk and cooled brewed coffee. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Coffee Buttercream: Beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating well. Add cooled coffee, caramel sauce, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread 1/3 cup of caramel sauce over the top. Repeat with the second layer. Place the third layer on top and frost the entire cake evenly with the prepared coffee buttercream.
- Decorate and Serve: Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the top of the frosted cake as a finishing touch before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the brewed coffee is cooled before mixing to prevent curdling.
- For best texture, do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs to improve batter consistency.
- You can substitute strong brewed espresso for a more intense coffee flavor.
- The cake layers can be made a day ahead and wrapped tightly to maintain freshness.
