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Caramel Crunch Layer Cake


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  • Author: olivia
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A warm, rich cake with crunchy layers, sweet cream, and a deep caramel pour, perfect for any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ยฝ tsp baking soda
  • ยฝ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 ยฝ cups brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
  • ยฝ cup brown sugar (for streusel)
  • ยฝ cup cold unsalted butter (cubed, for streusel)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (for streusel)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for streusel)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened, for filling)
  • ยฝ cup unsalted butter (softened, for filling)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (for filling)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream (to adjust consistency, for filling)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, for caramel sauce)
  • ยฝ cup heavy cream (warm, for caramel sauce)
  • Pinch of salt (for caramel sauce)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease and line 3 round cake pans.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk until batter is smooth.
  5. Divide batter into pans and bake for 25โ€“30 minutes, until golden and set. Cool completely.
  6. Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter with a fork until crumbly for the streusel.
  7. Stir in nuts (if using) for the streusel.
  8. Spread streusel on a baking sheet and bake at 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) for 12โ€“15 minutes until golden. Cool and crumble.
  9. Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy for the cream filling.
  10. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
  11. Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and amber-colored for the caramel sauce.
  12. Stir in butter until fully combined for the caramel sauce.
  13. Slowly whisk in cream. Simmer for 1โ€“2 minutes until thickened. Add salt. Cool slightly.
  14. Assemble the cake by placing the first cake layer on a plate, spreading with cream filling, sprinkling streusel, and drizzling caramel.
  15. Repeat with remaining layers. Top with more streusel and a generous caramel drizzle.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for a smooth mix. Do not rush the caramel. Cool the cake layers well before applying filling.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg