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Perfect Leo Birthday Chocolate Gold Layer Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Leo Birthday Chocolate Gold Layer Cake - featured image
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A rich yet light chocolate layer cake with a luscious salted caramel buttercream and a festive edible gold shimmer, perfect for birthdays and celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural, not Dutch-processed)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk or dairy-free milk like oat or almond
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (neutral flavor)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 cup (160g) homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)
  • Edible gold dust or gold leaf sheets
  • Optional: chocolate shavings or gold sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  4. Slowly pour in boiling water while stirring gently; batter will thin out.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans. Tap pans to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks to cool completely.
  8. For buttercream: Beat softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
  9. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well.
  10. Add salted caramel sauce, vanilla, sea salt (if using), and cream; beat until fluffy and spreadable, about 3–5 minutes.
  11. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of buttercream on top.
  12. Add second cake layer and frost top and sides evenly.
  13. Lightly dust edible gold over cake using a clean, dry brush. Add chocolate shavings or gold sprinkles if desired.
  14. Chill cake for 30 minutes to set buttercream. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Boiling water in the batter intensifies chocolate flavor and keeps the cake moist. Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent melting buttercream. The cake can be made a day ahead and stored wrapped tightly. For dairy-free, substitute milk and butter accordingly. Edible gold dust can be substituted with chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cake, salted caramel buttercream, birthday cake, celebration cake, easy chocolate cake, gold dust cake, layered cake

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/perfect-leo-birthday-chocolate-gold-layer-cake-with-salted-caramel-buttercream-recipe-for-an-easy-homemade-celebration-cake/