Chocolate Cake with Caramel Filling

Introduction

This Chocolate Cake with Caramel Filling is a decadent and moist dessert, perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat. The cake features rich layers of chocolate paired with a luscious caramel filling, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted with salted caramel sauce for those who love the combination of sweet and salty.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Caramel Filling:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt (optional for salted caramel)

Instructions

For the Cake:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one large rectangular cake pan.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, mixing until just combined.
4. Add Boiling Water: Stir in the boiling water, mixing until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, which is normal.
5. Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Caramel Filling:

1. Melt the Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber color.
2. Add Butter: Add the butter and stir until fully melted. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble vigorously.
3. Add Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Continue to stir until the caramel is smooth.
4. Cool and Thicken: Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt (if making salted caramel). Allow the caramel to cool and thicken slightly before using.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Cut the Cake: If using round cakes, slice each layer horizontally to create more layers. For a rectangular cake, slice the cake in half horizontally.
2. Add the Filling: Spread an even layer of the caramel filling over the bottom cake layer. Place the second layer of cake on top.
3. Optional Decoration: Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with additional caramel.
4. Serve: Slice the cake and serve. Enjoy the rich combination of chocolate and caramel in every bite!

Conclusion

This Chocolate Cake with Caramel Filling is a show-stopping dessert that pairs the rich flavor of chocolate with the gooey sweetness of caramel. Perfect for celebrations or a cozy dessert at home, this cake is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Customize it by adding a pinch of sea salt to the caramel for a sweet-and-salty twist!