Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake is the perfect balance of rich coffee flavor, sweet caramel, and a moist, tender cake. The combination of coffee and caramel makes it the ultimate dessert for those who enjoy bold flavors with a touch of sweetness. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires simple ingredients, and bakes up into a decadent, gooey masterpiece that’s perfect for any coffee lover.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or homemade cake recipe)
-
1 cup brewed coffee (cooled to room temperature)
-
½ cup vegetable oil
-
3 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Sauce:
-
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
-
½ cup unsalted butter
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
-
1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
-
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for extra crunch)
-
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Cake:
-
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
-
Mix the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, brewed coffee, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth and well combined.
-
Bake the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the caramel sauce.
Make the Caramel Sauce:
-
Cook the Caramel: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, and let it cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
-
Cool the Caramel: Remove the caramel sauce from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before pouring it over the cake.
Assemble the Cake:
-
Add the Caramel: Once the cake has cooled slightly, use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the cake, making sure to go all the way down to the bottom. This will allow the caramel sauce to soak into the cake, creating a gooey texture.
-
Pour the Caramel Sauce: Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top of the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the caramel to soak into the cake.
-
Add Toppings: If desired, sprinkle the top of the cake with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor. You can also drizzle more caramel sauce on top for extra sweetness.
Serve and Enjoy:
-
Serve: Slice the cake and serve it warm, optionally with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cake is rich and gooey, so a little bit goes a long way!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 12-16
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
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Total Time: 50 minutes (including caramel soaking time)
Variations
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Add Chocolate: For a chocolate twist, drizzle some melted chocolate over the top of the cake along with the caramel sauce, or mix cocoa powder into the cake batter for a chocolate coffee caramel cake.
-
Salted Caramel: Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel sauce to create a salted caramel flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the cake.
-
Nut-Free Version: Omit the nuts if you prefer a nut-free cake or use crushed toffee bits for extra sweetness and crunch.
-
Make it a Coffee Cake: To enhance the coffee flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cake batter for an even more intense coffee flavor.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake will stay moist due to the gooey caramel sauce.
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Freezing: You can freeze the cake for up to 1 month. Allow the cake to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
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Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave a slice of cake for 15-20 seconds or warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade cake recipe instead of cake mix?
Yes, you can substitute the boxed cake mix with a homemade yellow cake recipe. Just make sure to add the brewed coffee to the batter to maintain the coffee flavor.
Can I use decaffeinated coffee?
Yes, if you prefer a caffeine-free version, you can use decaffeinated coffee. The flavor of the cake will still be delicious with the coffee taste.
How do I make the caramel sauce thicker?
If the caramel sauce is too thin, you can cook it for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken it. You can also add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to increase the thickness.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cake and caramel sauce a day ahead of time. Just store the cake in the fridge and reheat it before serving. Add the caramel sauce just before serving to keep it fresh and gooey.
Can I make this cake without nuts?
Yes, you can omit the nuts if you prefer. The cake is delicious even without them, and you can choose to garnish with whipped cream or ice cream instead.
Conclusion
Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake is the ultimate dessert for coffee and caramel lovers. With its rich, moist cake, creamy caramel sauce, and a touch of crunch from the toffee bits, this cake is an indulgent treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it at a party or simply enjoying it as an afternoon snack, this cake will leave everyone coming back for more. So, brew that coffee and get baking—this delicious dessert is waiting to be enjoyed!
Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake is the ultimate indulgent treat for coffee lovers. This decadent cake combines the rich flavors of coffee with sweet caramel, resulting in a moist, gooey dessert that’s impossible to resist. Whether served as a special occasion dessert or a sweet snack, this cake is guaranteed to impress and satisfy everyone’s cravings for coffee and caramel!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or homemade cake recipe)
-
1 cup brewed coffee (cooled to room temperature)
-
½ cup vegetable oil
-
3 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Sauce:
-
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
-
½ cup unsalted butter
-
½ cup heavy cream
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
-
1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
-
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for extra crunch)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the Cake:
-
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. -
Mix the Cake Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, brewed coffee, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth and well combined. -
Bake the Cake:
Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the caramel sauce.
Make the Caramel Sauce:
-
Cook the Caramel:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, and let it cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. -
Cool the Caramel:
Remove the caramel sauce from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before pouring it over the cake.
Assemble the Cake:
-
Add the Caramel:
Once the cake has cooled slightly, use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the cake, making sure to go all the way down to the bottom. This will allow the caramel sauce to soak into the cake, creating a gooey texture. -
Pour the Caramel Sauce:
Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top of the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the caramel to soak into the cake. -
Add Toppings:
If desired, sprinkle the top of the cake with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and flavor. You can also drizzle more caramel sauce on top for extra sweetness.
Serve and Enjoy:
-
Serve:
Slice the cake and serve it warm, optionally with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cake is rich and gooey, so a little bit goes a long way!
Notes
Add Chocolate: For a chocolate twist, drizzle some melted chocolate over the top of the cake along with the caramel sauce, or mix cocoa powder into the cake batter for a chocolate coffee caramel cake.Salted Caramel: Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel sauce to create a salted caramel flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the cake.Nut-Free Version: Omit the nuts if you prefer a nut-free cake or use crushed toffee bits for extra sweetness and crunch.Make it a Coffee Cake: To enhance the coffee flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cake batter for an even more intense coffee flavor.
