Yummy Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

IngredientsFor the chocolate cake:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (not packed!)
- 1 and 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups full-fat sour cream
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil (you may also sub in melted coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups hot water
For the salted caramel chocolate frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks 16 ounces) VERY soft
- 4 and 1/2 cups confectioners sugar sifted
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream (more if needed)
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
Garnish:
- 1 and 1/4 cups salted caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt
InstructionsFor the chocolate cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°(F). Cut out three 9-inch round segments of parchment paper to line your cake pans with. Spray each pan generously – sides and bottom – with nonstick cooking spray then place the parchment paper cut out in the bottom of the pans and spray again. It s important to make sure every bit of pan and paper are sprayed so your cakes don t get stuck. Set pans aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer combine both sugars flour cocoa powder baking soda baking powder and salt; mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Use your hands to break up any large clumps if needed.
- In a separate bowl combine the eggs egg yolks sour cream milk oil and vanilla extract; mix until completely combined. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and beat on low until just incorporated. Pour in hot water and continue mixing until completely combined; about 1 minute. The batter will quite thin.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan before removing from pans and transferring to a cooling rack; cool cakes completely before frosting.
For the chocolate frosting:
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the softened butter on medium-speed until completely smooth; about 3 minutes.
- Turn the mixer off and sift the powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on the lowest speed and mix until the sugar/cocoa have been absorbed by the butter; about 2 minutes. Increase mixer speed to medium; add in vanilla extract salt heavy cream and salted caramel; beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting appears a little too thin add a little more confectioners sugar; If your frosting needs to be thinner add additional heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
Assembly:
- Using a serrated knife carefully trim the raised top of each cake making each one an even level surface. Transfer 1 layer to a large plate or cake stand. Spread a thin layer of frosting on top then add a 1/2 cup of caramel; top with another cake layer and repeat thinly spread it with a layer of frosting then adding a 1/2 cup of caramel. Top final cake layer and place cake in the fridge to set for 1 hour. Once set finishing frosting the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with sea salt. Slice and serve or keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
This article and recipe adapted from this site