If you’re a coffee lover who craves a truly indulgent dessert, this Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake will blow you away. It perfectly combines the deep, aromatic flavor of brewed coffee with the rich sweetness of a homemade caramel sauce, all in one moist, melt-in-your-mouth cake. This showstopper is a guaranteed hit whether you serve it for a cozy weekend treat, at a dinner party, or during the holidays.
The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. And with its gorgeous coffee drizzle and silky caramel finish, this cake looks like it came straight from a high-end bakery.
Why You’ll Love This Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake
- Bold coffee flavor: Perfect for coffee lovers who want dessert with a caffeine kick.
- Buttery caramel sauce: Adds a sweet, gooey finish to every bite.
- Moist and tender crumb: Thanks to the buttermilk and fresh brewed coffee.
- Simple ingredients: Easy to whip up with minimal fuss.
- Great for any season: Comforting in the winter, yet light enough for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brewed coffee, cooled
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Coffee Drizzle
- 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
How to Make Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and egg until light and fluffy. Slowly mix in the brewed coffee, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth, thick batter with no lumps.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce
While the cake cools, make the caramel sauce.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a simmer. Let it bubble for about 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Set aside to cool slightly — it will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 5: Prepare the Coffee Drizzle
In a small bowl, whisk together the brewed coffee and powdered sugar until you have a smooth, pourable glaze.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Once the cake is fully cooled, pour the caramel sauce evenly over the top, allowing it to soak in slightly for maximum gooeyness. Then drizzle with the coffee glaze for an extra boost of coffee flavor and a beautiful finish.
Slice and serve with a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.
Tips for Success
- Use freshly brewed coffee that’s cooled to avoid scrambling the egg in the batter.
- Let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling so it doesn’t melt the cake.
- If you want a stronger coffee flavor, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the cake batter.
- Don’t overbake the cake — you want it moist and tender.
Serving Suggestions
This Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake is so versatile, you can serve it for:
- Afternoon coffee breaks
- Brunch gatherings
- Dinner parties
- Holiday desserts
- Weekend baking projects
It pairs wonderfully with a cappuccino, latte, or even a glass of cold milk.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Warm leftover slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that gooey texture.
- You can also freeze slices individually, wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without coffee?
Yes — substitute the brewed coffee with milk, but keep in mind you’ll lose the coffee flavor.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Of course. A quality jarred caramel sauce works fine if you’re short on time.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend instead of the all-purpose flour.
Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brewed coffee cooled
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Coffee Drizzle
- 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and egg until light and fluffy. Slowly mix in the brewed coffee, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth, thick batter with no lumps.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce
- While the cake cools, make the caramel sauce.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a simmer. Let it bubble for about 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Set aside to cool slightly — it will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 5: Prepare the Coffee Drizzle
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brewed coffee and powdered sugar until you have a smooth, pourable glaze.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
- Once the cake is fully cooled, pour the caramel sauce evenly over the top, allowing it to soak in slightly for maximum gooeyness. Then drizzle with the coffee glaze for an extra boost of coffee flavor and a beautiful finish.
- Slice and serve with a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.
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