Salted Caramel Cake

There’s something irresistibly magical about the balance between sweet and salty—and no dessert captures that better than a luscious Salted Caramel Cake. This indulgent treat is soft, moist, and layered with rich caramel flavor, topped with a golden drizzle of salted caramel sauce that perfectly cuts through the sweetness. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something decadent, this cake is pure comfort in dessert form.

The Inspiration Behind the Cake

Salted caramel became a global favorite years ago—and for good reason. That small pinch of salt enhances the deep, buttery notes of caramel and adds a luxurious complexity you can’t get from plain sugar. Inspired by this flavor combination, this Salted Caramel Cake is designed to highlight both the richness of homemade caramel and the fluffy, tender crumb of a perfectly baked cake. Think of it as your favorite bakery cake—but made in your own kitchen.

Why This Cake Stands Out

Unlike overly sweet store-bought versions, this recipe uses a homemade salted caramel sauce that’s buttery, golden, and naturally flavored. Each component of the cake—from the sponge to the frosting to the drizzle—carries that unmistakable caramel warmth. But the real showstopper? The salt. Just the right touch of flaky sea salt intensifies the flavor and keeps you coming back for one more slice.

Key Features:

Rich caramel flavor in every layer

Soft and moist texture

Homemade salted caramel drizzle

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or a cozy weekend bake

Let’s Talk Layers

This cake has three irresistible components:

1. Caramel-Infused Sponge – Soft, golden cake infused with real caramel and brown sugar.

2. Salted Caramel Buttercream – A whipped, smooth frosting with just the right blend of salty and sweet.

3. Drizzle & Garnish – A glossy drizzle of salted caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or crushed toffee bits for extra flair.

You can go classic with smooth sides and a drizzle on top, or you can get creative and decorate with caramel shards or piped swirls.

The Magic of Salted Caramel

What makes salted caramel so special? It’s all about balance. Salt tames the sweetness, enhances the butteriness, and brings a gourmet twist to an otherwise humble ingredient. In this cake, the caramel isn’t just poured on top—it’s layered into the very structure of the dessert.

Tips for Baking Success

Use good-quality salt: Flaky sea salt or kosher salt is ideal—never use iodized table salt.

Let the caramel cool slightly: Before incorporating it into frosting or layering into the sponge, make sure it’s not too hot to avoid curdling or melting.

Level your layers: For a professional finish, level each cake layer before stacking and frosting.

How to Serve

This cake is rich enough to serve as a standalone dessert—no ice cream or extras needed (though no judgment if you add a scoop of vanilla bean!). Pair it with a cup of dark coffee or chai tea to cut through the sweetness and complement the caramel notes.

It’s a crowd-pleaser at birthdays, anniversaries, and especially during fall and winter when cozy, deep flavors shine.

Storage Notes

Keep the cake covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If you’re making it ahead for a party, you can bake the cake layers in advance and freeze them. Add the frosting and drizzle on the day you plan to serve it for the best presentation.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Cake is everything a layered dessert should be—fluffy, flavorful, and full of contrast. The rich caramel and salty finish offer a bakery-style experience you can easily recreate at home. Whether you’re making it for guests or treating yourself, this cake deserves a place in your dessert rotation.

So go ahead—whip it up, drizzle generously, and savor the sweet-salty perfection in every forkful.

Salted Caramel Cake

This Salted Caramel Cake is a decadent dessert layered with rich caramel flavor and topped with creamy, buttery frosting and a pinch of sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance. Ideal for special occasions or when you’re craving something indulgent, this cake combines moist vanilla sponge with luscious caramel inside and out.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 481 kcal

Ingredients

  

• For the Cake:
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup caramel sauce homemade or store-bought
• For the Salted Caramel Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• ½ cup caramel sauce
• 3 –4 cups powdered sugar adjust to taste
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 –2 tbsp heavy cream if needed for texture
• Topping:
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzle
• Sea salt flakes optional garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
• In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
• Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
• Fold in the caramel sauce gently until smooth.
• Divide batter between pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
• For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add caramel and mix, then slowly beat in powdered sugar, salt, and cream until light and fluffy.
• Assemble the cake, spread frosting between layers and on top. Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle sea salt if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, poke holes in the cake layers and pour a little caramel before frosting.

Best served at room temperature.