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Caramel Crunch Layer Cake Recipe

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4.4 from 84 reviews

The Caramel Crunch Layer Cake is a decadent dessert featuring moist layers of vanilla cake, creamy cream cheese filling, a crunchy cinnamon streusel, and a rich homemade caramel sauce. This dessert combines soft textures with sweet, buttery caramel and a delightful nutty crunch, making it perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave an indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.75 cups Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 3 large Eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Buttermilk

Filling

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar, sifted
  • 0.5 cups Heavy Cream

Streusel

  • 0.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 0.5 cups Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon (optional)
  • 0.5 cups Chopped Pecans or Walnuts
  • 0.5 cups Unsalted Butter, cold

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 0.5 cups Unsalted Butter
  • 0.5 cups Heavy Cream

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cakes don’t stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and 0.5 tsp salt to evenly distribute all leavening agents and salt.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream 0.75 cups softened unsalted butter with 1 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a tender cake texture.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add 2 tsp vanilla extract for aroma.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately mix the dry ingredients and 1 cup buttermilk into the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
  6. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops turn golden brown.
  7. Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool briefly in their pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling.
  8. Prepare Streusel: Combine 0.5 cups flour, 0.5 cups brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon (optional), and cold 0.5 cups unsalted butter cut into pieces. Mix with fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly. Stir in 0.5 cups chopped pecans or walnuts. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Allow to cool.
  9. Make Cream Cheese Filling: Beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 0.75 cups softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add 0.5 cups heavy cream a little at a time to reach a spreadable consistency.
  10. Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup granulated sugar without stirring until it turns amber-colored. Carefully stir in 0.5 cups butter and 0.5 cups heavy cream. Stir continuously to combine and smoothen. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  11. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of cream cheese filling, sprinkle some streusel, and drizzle caramel sauce over it. Repeat layering with remaining cake layers, cream cheese filling, streusel, and caramel until all components are used. Finish with a generous streusel topping and drizzle caramel sauce over the top for decoration.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better batter incorporation.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and airy.
  • The caramel sauce should be made with caution as melted sugar is extremely hot.
  • Storing assembled cake in the refrigerator keeps the cream cheese filling fresh.
  • Use parchment-lined cake pans for easy removal of cakes without damage.
  • You can substitute nuts in the streusel or omit for a nut-free version.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before assembly to prevent filling from melting.

Keywords: Caramel cake, Layer cake, Cream cheese frosting, Streusel topping, Caramel sauce, Holiday dessert, Nutty cake

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/caramel-crunch-layer-cake-recipe/