Description
This stunning cake combines soft, moist layers with a creamy filling and crunchy streusel, drizzled with warm caramel for a deliciously sweet experience.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temp)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- ½ cup brown sugar (for streusel)
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter (cubed, for streusel)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for streusel)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for streusel)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, for filling)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened, for filling)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (to adjust consistency, for filling)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (room temp, for caramel sauce)
- ½ cup heavy cream (warm, for caramel sauce)
- Pinch of salt (for caramel sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 3 round cake pans.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk until batter is smooth.
- Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and set. Cool completely.
- For the streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cubed butter with a fork until crumbly.
- If using, stir in nuts for the streusel.
- Spread streusel on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until golden. Cool and crumble.
- For the cream filling, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
- For the caramel sauce, heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and amber-colored.
- Stir in butter until fully combined.
- Slowly whisk in warm cream and simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Add salt and cool slightly.
- Assemble the cake by placing the first cake layer on a plate, spreading with cream filling, sprinkling streusel, and drizzling caramel. Repeat with remaining layers. Top with more streusel and a caramel drizzle.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for the best results and do not rush the caramel process.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American