Chocolate Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake 🍫🍯🌰
A dessert that looks fancy but comes together with pantry staples and some stirring magic? Yes, please. This Chocolate Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake is what happens when ultra-moist chocolate cake meets buttery caramel drizzle and a generous crown of crunchy toffee bits. It’s sweet, it’s decadent, and it’s made to impress.
This is the kind of dessert you bring to a dinner party or make “just because” on a cozy weekend—either way, it’s guaranteed to earn raves.
Why I Love This Recipe
It’s not just a cake—it’s an experience. Layers of moist, cocoa-rich cake are stacked with buttery caramel, then topped with toffee bits and (optionally) chopped nuts for texture. The sour cream in the batter ensures incredible tenderness, while the homemade caramel adds a silky, slightly salty richness that pulls the whole thing together.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 🌾
- 2 tsp baking powder 🥄
- 1 tsp baking soda 🥄
- ¼ tsp salt 🧂
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
- 1 ½ cups sugar 🍚
- 3 large eggs 🥚
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌼
- 1 cup sour cream 🍦
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
- ½ cup boiling water 💧
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup sugar 🍚
- 1 cup heavy cream 🥛
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌼
For the Toffee Crunch Topping:
- 1 cup toffee bits 🍬
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) 🌰
Instructions
1. Prep the Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Mix in the sour cream until smooth.
- In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and boiling water, then stir until dissolved and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with the cocoa mixture, and mix until just combined.
3. Bake the Cake
- Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Caramel Sauce 🍯
- In a heavy saucepan, heat 1 cup sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will melt and turn amber.
- Carefully whisk in the heavy cream (it will bubble up).
- Add butter and cook for 2–3 more minutes, stirring until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature.
Assemble the Cake 🍰
- Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of caramel sauce over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top. Drizzle with more caramel.
- Sprinkle generously with toffee bits and nuts (if using).
- Chill for 20 minutes to set the caramel or serve at room temperature for gooey goodness.
Tips for Success
- Don’t walk away from the caramel! It turns quickly—watch closely once the sugar starts to melt.
- Room-temperature eggs and butter mix better and create a more even batter.
- Use parchment paper rounds in the pans for easy release.
- Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for a salted caramel finish!
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Serve this cake with:
- 🍦 A scoop of vanilla bean or coffee ice cream
- ☕ Classic Margarita for a party-friendly pairing
- 🍓 A side of macerated strawberries for a tart contrast
- 🧁 Or pair with other desserts like The Best Peanut Butter Brownies for a dessert table
Storage & Make Ahead
- Room Temp: Keeps for up to 2 days, covered.
- Fridge: Store up to 5 days in an airtight container. Bring to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Cake layers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw and assemble before serving.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- The Best Peanut Butter Brownies – rich and fudgy
- Brownie Batter Dip – fun and easy for a crowd
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites – quick and classic
- Pecan Pie Bars – perfect for fall dessert trays
- No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie – great for warmer months
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake is every dessert lover’s dream. It’s soft, rich, and layered with flavor and texture—perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to impress without a complicated process.
If you try this cake, don’t forget to tag @chefmaniac and share your sweet success! 🍫🍰💫
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