Chocolate Caramel Cake

Paula

Daily Culinary Pleasures

Chocolate Caramel Cake

A bakery-style dessert that’s rich, creamy, and beautifully decorated.

If you’re looking for a dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, this Chocolate Caramel Cake is about to become your new favorite recipe. With a soft and moist chocolate base, a cloud-like whipped cream frosting, and gorgeous swirls of chocolate buttercream, this cake is guaranteed to impress at any party or celebration. The finishing touch—drizzles of chocolate and caramel—makes every slice look like it came straight from a professional bakery.

This cake is wonderfully simple, yet the presentation is absolutely stunning. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe brings together the perfect balance of chocolate richness and creamy sweetness.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

  • Moist, rich chocolate cake: Made with cocoa and hot coffee (or water) for ultimate softness.
  • Light, fluffy frosting: Whipped cream frosting keeps the cake from feeling too heavy.
  • Bakery-style decoration: The chocolate swirls and caramel drizzle make it look professional with minimal effort.
  • Perfect for any occasion: Potlucks, birthdays, family gatherings, or weekend treats.
  • Easily customizable: Add nuts, salted caramel, or even chocolate chips inside the batter.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water or hot coffee

For the Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Buttercream (Decoration)

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2–3 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Drizzles

  • Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate
  • Caramel sauce
  • Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

How to Make the Cake

1. Prepare the Chocolate Cake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or a shallow sheet pan for a slightly thinner cake.

Whisk the dry ingredients together, then add the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour in the hot water or coffee—this step helps create that moist, velvety texture. The batter will be thin, and that’s exactly what you want. Bake for 30–35 minutes, then allow the cake to cool completely.

2. Whip Up the Frosting

Using a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, then beat again until thick and fluffy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake, creating a smooth base for decorating.

3. Make the Chocolate Buttercream

Beat the softened butter until creamy, then blend in powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add milk gradually until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. Transfer to a piping bag with a star tip and create swirls around the edges of the cake.

4. Decorate Like a Pro

Now comes the fun part!
Drizzle chocolate syrup in horizontal lines across the cake, then repeat with caramel sauce. Finish with a light shower of chocolate sprinkles. The result is a stunning, mouth-watering presentation that looks just like a bakery specialty.

Tips for Success

  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
  • If you want stronger chocolate flavor, add 1 tbsp espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
  • Chill the cake for 1 hour before serving for clean slices.
  • Double the whipped cream frosting if you prefer a thicker layer.

Serving & Storage

Serve this cake chilled or at room temperature.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it covered to maintain freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Caramel Drizzle Sheet Cake is the perfect blend of beauty and flavor. It’s easy enough for beginners but impressive enough for any special occasion. With its creamy frosting, rich chocolate base, and eye-catching decoration, this cake is sure to steal the spotlight every time.

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