Chocolate Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Toffee Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Toffee Cake is a decadent treat combining rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a luscious salted caramel finish. Perfect for celebrations or indulgent weekends, it balances intense flavors with a delightful crunch.

A tall, rich chocolate cake with four thick layers of dark, moist chocolate sponge is shown. Between each sponge layer is a smooth, light brown caramel cream filling. The top layer is covered in glossy caramel sauce that drips down the sides in thick, shiny streams. The top surface is decorated with small swirls of chocolate frosting and sprinkled generously with chopped nuts and caramel chunks, adding texture. The cake sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (+ more if needed)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ½ cup crushed toffee bits
  • Additional salted caramel for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Carefully stir in the boiling water – the batter will be thin. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
  5. Step 5: To make the salted caramel, melt the granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the cubed butter until melted. Slowly add the heavy cream while stirring, then stir in the sea salt. Let the caramel cool to room temperature.
  6. Step 6: For the peanut butter frosting, beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed to reach spreading consistency.
  7. Step 7: Assemble the cake by spreading frosting between each layer and drizzling some cooled salted caramel over the layers. Cover the entire outside of the cake with the remaining peanut butter frosting. Drizzle additional caramel on top and sprinkle with crushed toffee bits for texture and crunch.
  8. Step 8: Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This helps the frosting and caramel set for clean cuts.

Tips & Variations

  • For an extra rich caramel flavor, use homemade caramel sauce or high-quality store-bought salted caramel.
  • Substitute crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit more texture in the frosting.
  • To make the cake ahead, bake layers and freeze wrapped tightly; thaw before frosting and assembling.
  • Use milk or dark chocolate cocoa powder depending on your preferred chocolate intensity.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to keep it fresh. For longer storage, freeze the assembled cake wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat slices briefly at room temperature to soften the frosting if desired.

How to Serve

A thick slice of layered cake sits on a white plate with a white marbled background. The cake has four main layers: the bottom and third layers are dark chocolate cake, rich and moist; the second and fourth layers are smooth, light brown caramel or peanut butter filling. On top of the upper chocolate cake layer, a thick dark chocolate frosting covers the cake's sides and top, giving it a shiny and creamy look. Caramel sauce drips down the sides and pools on the plate, with chopped nuts sprinkled thickly on top and around the edges of the cake slice, adding a crunchy texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

Is it necessary to use boiling water in the batter?

Yes, boiling water helps to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate flavor and ensuring a moist cake texture.

Print

Chocolate Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Toffee Cake Recipe

Indulge in this decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Toffee Cake that combines rich chocolate layers, creamy peanut butter frosting, and a luscious salted caramel toffee topping. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you crave a spectacular dessert with a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

  • Author: rami
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream, plus more if needed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Salted Caramel

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Toppings

  • ½ cup crushed toffee bits
  • Additional salted caramel for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cakes after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together or whisk the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined evenly.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
  4. Combine Ingredients and Add Boiling Water: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Carefully pour in the boiling water and mix until the batter is smooth and thin.
  5. Divide Batter and Bake: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
  6. Prepare Salted Caramel: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring frequently until it reaches a deep amber color. Remove from heat and stir in the cubed butter until melted and combined. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Add the sea salt and mix well. Let the caramel cool to room temperature.
  7. Make Peanut Butter Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and spreadable. Add more cream if frosting is too thick.
  8. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of peanut butter frosting, then drizzle with a portion of the salted caramel. Repeat with the second layer, then top with the third cake layer. Cover the entire outside of the cake with the remaining peanut butter frosting.
  9. Add Toppings: Drizzle additional salted caramel over the top of the frosted cake and sprinkle generously with the crushed toffee bits for a delightful crunch and garnish.
  10. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 20 minutes to allow the frosting to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy your luscious Chocolate Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Toffee Cake!

Notes

  • Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture in the cake.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  • To prevent the caramel from hardening too much, keep it warm or gently reheat before drizzling.
  • Use good quality cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: Chocolate cake, Peanut butter frosting, Salted caramel, Toffee bits, Layer cake, Dessert, Holiday cake

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