Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake Recipe

Dreamy Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Rich layers of decadent caramel coffee buttercream cake promise a symphony of indulgent flavors that dance across your palate.

Sweet caramel notes weave through delicate cake crumbs, creating a harmonious blend of warmth and depth.

Smooth buttercream whispers hints of robust coffee, inviting sensory exploration with each carefully crafted slice.

Intricate textures meld together, promising a dessert experience beyond ordinary expectations.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe speaks to passionate bakers seeking something extraordinary.

Minimal ingredients transform into a spectacular centerpiece that sparks conversation and delights discerning taste buds.

Savor every moment of crafting this elegant dessert that celebrates culinary creativity.

Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake FAQ

  • What gives this cake its rich coffee flavor?

The brewed coffee mixed directly into the batter provides a deep, authentic coffee taste that enhances the overall cake’s flavor profile.

  • Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?

While you can use instant coffee, brewed coffee delivers a more robust and genuine coffee flavor that truly elevates the cake’s taste.

  • How do I know if I've mixed the batter correctly?

The batter should look smooth and well-combined, with no visible flour streaks, and have a light, slightly fluffy texture when you’re done mixing.

  • Is buttermilk essential for this recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, moist cake texture and adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements the coffee and caramel notes perfectly.

Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake Dreams

  • Indulge in Coffee Magic: This cake transforms ordinary ingredients into a rich, aromatic dessert that coffee lovers will absolutely adore.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Treat: Perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or special occasions where you want to impress guests with a sophisticated and delectable dessert.
  • Master-Level Baking Experience: A slightly challenging recipe that helps home bakers develop their skills while creating a professional-looking and tasting cake that feels like a culinary achievement.
  • Customizable Flavor Adventure: Offers flexibility to adjust coffee strength and caramel intensity, allowing bakers to personalize the cake to their exact taste preferences.

Ingredients For Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture to the cake.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Brewed Coffee, Buttermilk: Enhance the cake's moisture and add depth of flavor to the batter.
Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and balance the overall flavor profile.

How To Make Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Turn the oven to 350F (175C). Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour, ensuring every corner is covered to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Smooth Cake Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and whip butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy, pale mixture. Add eggs one by one, blending thoroughly after each addition. Pour in brewed coffee and buttermilk, stirring until the mixture looks smooth and consistent.

Step 3: Mix Dry Components

In a separate bowl, blend dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully to avoid overmixing. The batter should look silky and free of lumps.

Step 4: Bake And Cool Cake Layers

Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Slide pans into preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Remove from oven and let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack and allow to reach room temperature completely before frosting.

Pro Tips For Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

  • Brew Strong Coffee: Use freshly brewed, high-quality coffee for a rich, deep flavor that enhances the cake's taste profile.
  • Prevent Dry Cake: Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender, moist texture; stop mixing once ingredients are just combined.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature for smoother blending and better cake consistency.
  • Test Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean with a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
  • Chill Before Frosting: Allow cake layers to cool completely before applying caramel coffee buttercream to prevent melting and ensure clean decoration.

Variations For Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

  • Espresso Chocolate Variation: Replace brewed coffee with strong espresso and add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a rich, mocha-flavored cake.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and moisture.
  • Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs, and non-dairy milk to create a dairy-free and egg-free version of the cake.
  • Mocha Caramel Spin: Incorporate chocolate chips into the batter and drizzle extra caramel sauce between cake layers for added decadence.

Pairing Suggestions For Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

  • Brew Perfect Coffee Match: Select a robust espresso or dark roast coffee to complement the cake's rich caramel and coffee notes, enhancing the dessert's deep flavor profile.
  • Select Creamy Accompaniment: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, which creates a smooth contrast and balances the cake's intense sweetness with its cool, creamy texture.
  • Enhance Flavor with Liqueur: Drizzle a small amount of amaretto or Irish cream liqueur around the cake slice, adding depth and sophistication to the dessert experience.

Storage Advice For Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
  • Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
  • Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Use a cake dome or loose plastic wrap to maintain texture.
  • Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. For best results, let frozen cake thaw in refrigerator overnight before serving at room temperature.
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Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake Recipe

Caramel Coffee Buttercream Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Silky caramel coffee buttercream cake promises pure indulgence with rich layers of espresso-infused sweetness. Chocolate lovers will savor each forkful of this luxurious dessert that blends smooth coffee notes with golden caramel undertones.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup brewed coffee, cooled
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Create a creamy base by whipping butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, ensuring a smooth texture.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a consistent blend.
  4. Pour in brewed coffee and buttermilk, stirring until the liquid integrates seamlessly with the existing mixture.
  5. In a separate container, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
  6. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
  7. Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the surface and ensure uniform baking.
  8. Place pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should emerge clean when the cake is fully baked.
  9. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature completely before frosting.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother cake batter and even mixing.
  • Replace regular coffee with decaf or cold brew for a milder flavor profile.
  • Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent overmixing, which can create a tough cake texture.
  • Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 282 kcal
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Content Specialist & Home Cooking Enthusiast

Expertise

  • Making healthy, comforting meals that fit into real-life schedules
  • Planning balanced, single-serving meals for individuals and small families
  • Writing clear, practical food content with a focus on wellness and ease
  • Using seasonal ingredients to bring variety and freshness to everyday meals

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Trained in the basics of professional cooking, with a strong focus on home-style meals, seasonal recipe development, and time-saving kitchen techniques for everyday use.

American Fitness Professionals & Associates – Online

  • Program: Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification
  • Focus: Studied how to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and accessible

Sarah’s passion for food was sparked by weekend trips to the farmers’ market and her belief that healthy meals should never feel boring.
After earning her culinary diploma and becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, she set out to help others fall in love with simple, wholesome cooking.
She’s all about celebrating the small wins in the kitchen: a colorful yogurt bowl, a new twist on a classic dish, or a homemade snack that feels just a little extra special.
Outside the kitchen, Sarah is a gardener at heart, a yoga enthusiast, and a believer that fresh herbs can brighten any meal, and any day.

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