If you’re seeking a showstopping dessert that effortlessly blends sweet caramel, bold coffee, and rich buttery flavors, the Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream is exactly the treat you need. This cake layers airy, tender crumb with deep notes of espresso, sumptuous homemade caramel, and a dreamy buttercream you’ll want to eat by the spoonful. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or just want to indulge your coffeehouse cravings at home, this recipe delivers all the delightful complexity of your favorite caramel latte in every slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great cake starts with a thoughtful selection of ingredients, and the Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream is no exception. From pantry staples like flour and sugar to a splash of strong brewed coffee, each item works in harmony to create a cake that’s perfectly fluffy, moist, and packed with café-inspired flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cake, providing just the right structure for a tender, airy crumb.
- Baking powder: Gives your cake the lift it needs to rise beautifully and stay light.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and complex flavors throughout the cake and caramel.
- Unsalted butter (for cake, caramel, and buttercream): Adds moistness, richness, and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture—use high-quality for the best results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake base and caramel while providing a delicate crispness to the crumb.
- Large eggs: Essential for binding and adding structure, plus richness to every layer.
- Vanilla extract: Brings out the aromatic notes, rounding out sweet and coffee flavors.
- Whole milk: Helps keep your cake moist and tender.
- Strong brewed coffee (cooled): Gives those signature latte notes and depth to the cake—don’t be shy with the strength!
- Heavy cream (for caramel and buttercream): Ensures caramel and frosting are ultra silky and smooth.
- Instant espresso powder (dissolved in hot water): Packs a double shot of flavor in the buttercream, making each bite absolutely memorable.
- Powdered sugar: The secret to fluffy, cloud-like buttercream.
How to Make Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring your cakes bake up evenly. Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. This extra step makes releasing the delicate cakes wonderfully simple when it’s time to assemble—no torn layers here!
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, quickly whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This distributes the leavening and salt evenly through the batter, which is crucial for a uniform rise and perfectly balanced flavor throughout the Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for a lighter cake, as it creates little air pockets that expand in the oven.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each, then stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs help emulsify the batter and add richness, while the vanilla deepens those sweet, comforting notes.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a measuring cup, combine your milk and cooled coffee for that classic latte flavor. Alternate adding your flour mixture and coffee-milk blend to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. This method yields a cake that is both sturdy and soft, infusing every bite with those signature espresso and caramel undertones.
Step 6: Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between the three pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After cooling in the pans for about 10 minutes, carefully turn them out onto wire racks and let them cool completely. The anticipation at this point is pure magic!
Step 7: Craft the Homemade Caramel Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a beautiful amber color. Whisk in the butter, then gradually pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in a pinch of salt. This homemade caramel takes the Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream to a whole new level, infusing every layer with sweet, satiny goodness. Allow the caramel to cool before using.
Step 8: Prepare the Coffee Buttercream
Beat softened butter until creamy, then add the powdered sugar in stages. Dissolve the espresso powder in hot water—this is what gives your buttercream an authentic coffee punch—and beat it in with cream and salt until fluffy and sumptuously smooth. It’s the perfect frosting to tie together all the flavors of your cake.
Step 9: Assemble and Frost the Cake
If your cake layers have domed, level them gently. Spread a thin, decadent layer of caramel sauce over each cake before adding a cloud of coffee buttercream. Stack, frost the exterior generously, then drizzle with extra caramel and decorate however your heart desires. The result is the ultimate Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream—a true feast for the eyes and palate.
How to Serve Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream
Garnishes
Elevate each slice by drizzling extra caramel sauce on top, and finish with a sprinkle of espresso powder or chocolate shavings. For a lux touch, top with whole coffee beans or even delicate spun sugar for an extra wow-factor. These thoughtful garnishes highlight the flavors in your Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream and add a hint of drama to every plate.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with simple accompaniments like fresh berries, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a generous dollop of softly whipped cream. If you’re serving a crowd, offer small glasses of iced or hot espresso alongside—it makes the coffee flavors even more pronounced and sophisticated.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, slice the cake into slim, elegant wedges and arrange on a beautiful tiered stand or rustic wooden board. Individual mini cakes (using cake rings or small pans) create stunning personal desserts for dinner parties. Or go bold—layer the cake in a trifle dish with extra buttercream, caramel, and crushed biscotti for a playful twist on tradition.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Tightly wrap unused slices or cover the whole cake with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and flavorful for up to four days. Let slices come to room temperature before enjoying, so the buttercream is silky and the caramel is lusciously soft.
Freezing
The cake layers can be baked ahead and frozen (wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil) for up to two months—just thaw at room temperature before assembling. Assembled and frosted Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream also freezes beautifully; simply chill to set the frosting, then wrap and store. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.
Reheating
While the cake is delicious straight from the fridge, warming individual slices for a few seconds in the microwave will loosen the frosting and caramel, making each bite even more decadent. Be careful not to overheat, just enough to bring back that fresh-baked texture and taste!
FAQs
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The cake will still be fabulously moist and flavorful, though the structure may be a bit more delicate.
How can I intensify the coffee flavor in the Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream?
For a bolder coffee punch, increase the instant espresso powder in the buttercream or add a splash of coffee extract. You can also use a darker roast or stronger brewed coffee in the cake itself.
Can I make the caramel sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! The caramel sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week; just bring it to room temperature or gently warm it before drizzling over the cake or using between layers.
Why did my caramel seize or become grainy?
This can happen if the sugar is heated too quickly or if sudden temperature changes occur. Make sure to cook the sugar steadily over medium heat and avoid stirring vigorously once it’s melted and caramelizing.
Can I use a different buttercream?
While the coffee buttercream is truly the star in this Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream, you can switch it up with vanilla or chocolate buttercream if you prefer. Just keep in mind you may lose some of the latte-inspired depth.
Final Thoughts
Whenever you’re ready to delight friends and family—or simply treat yourself—there’s nothing quite like baking a Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream. Every step is a little act of love, and the result is a dessert that’s as mesmerizing to look at as it is to eat. I hope you savor every rich, sweet, and aromatic bite!
Print
Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and flavorful Decadent Caramel Latte Cake with Coffee Buttercream. This impressive layer cake combines the sweetness of caramel with the boldness of coffee for a truly decadent dessert experience.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
For the caramel sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- pinch of salt
For the coffee buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
- Make the cake: Mix dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, alternate dry ingredients and coffee mixture, bake.
- Prepare caramel sauce: Heat sugar, add butter, cream, and salt. Let cool.
- Make coffee buttercream: Beat butter, add sugar, espresso mixture, cream, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Assemble: Level cake layers, spread caramel sauce, layer with buttercream, stack layers, frost the cake, drizzle with caramel sauce.
Notes
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase espresso powder or use coffee extract.
- Cake layers can be baked a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
