Description
This delectable Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake features a moist coffee-infused cake base topped with a luscious caramel sauce that seeps into every bite, creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself, this irresistible dessert will surely impress and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake Base:
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (for gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- For the Gooey Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon coffee extract (optional but enhances the coffee flavor)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For Serving (Optional):
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Extra caramel sauce
- Crushed coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents throughout your coffee cake.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake texture.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the dissolved coffee mixture and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture (flour → milk → flour → milk → flour). Mix just until combined – overmixing can make your coffee caramel cake dense.
- Make the Caramel Layer: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, coffee extract (if using), and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture over the cake batter. Don’t stir – the caramel will create a gooey layer that partially sinks during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. The caramel will create a gooey pudding-like layer beneath a cake-like top.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. This gives the caramel time to set slightly while still remaining wonderfully gooey.
Notes
- Enhance the coffee flavor: For a stronger coffee taste, increase the instant coffee granules to 2 tablespoons or add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
- Caramel consistency: For a thicker caramel layer, refrigerate the caramel sauce for 10-15 minutes before pouring over the cake batter.
- Prevent overbaking: Watch the cake carefully during the last few minutes of baking. Overbaking will result in less of the desirable gooey texture.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature for the best texture and even baking.
- Coffee substitution: If you prefer a non-caffeinated version, decaf coffee works perfectly without sacrificing flavor.
- Salted caramel variation: Add an extra ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to the caramel for a salted caramel twist.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 42
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 58
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 95
Keywords: gooey coffee caramel cake recipe, coffee cake, caramel cake, coffee dessert, gooey cake, coffee caramel dessert