Description
Imagine if your favorite caramel latte got cozy with a gooey butter cake and decided to turn itself into the ultimate dessert. That’s this cake. It’s sweet, rich, unapologetically sticky in all the right ways, and laced with a deep coffee flavor that cuts through the sugar like a boss. You’ve got a tender, buttery cake base, a coffee-infused caramel layer that seeps into every bite, and a golden top that crackles ever so slightly when you dig in. This is not a cake for the faint of heart—it’s bold, messy, and the kind of thing you make when you want guests to beg you for the recipe before the plates are even cleared.
Ingredients
For the base cake layer:
1 box yellow cake mix (just the dry mix)
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
For the gooey coffee caramel layer:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup strong brewed coffee (room temp)
1 tsp instant espresso powder (optional but amazing)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
Optional topping (but very worth it):
Sea salt flakes
Extra caramel drizzle
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Parchment paper isn’t necessary, but you can use it if you want easy lift-out action later.
Step 2: Make the base layer
In a medium bowl, stir together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until you get a soft dough-like consistency. It’ll be thick—that’s good. Press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan using your hands or a spatula.
Step 3: Make the gooey coffee caramel layer
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the powdered sugar, brown sugar, brewed coffee, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt. Mix until it’s all silky and pourable. Pour this mixture over the base layer and smooth it out.
Step 4: Bake it up
Bake for 40–45 minutes. The edges should be golden and puffed, but the center will still jiggle slightly—that’s the gooey magic. Don’t overbake unless you want to lose that luscious texture. Cool completely before cutting if you want clean slices (or don’t—live your life).
Notes
Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some dark chocolate and drizzle it over the top before serving.
Nutty Vibes: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the gooey layer for crunch.
Boozy Boost: Add a tablespoon of Kahlúa or Bailey’s to the cream cheese layer for an adult twist.
Spice It: Mix in a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for a warm, cozy vibe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~410 kcal
- Fat: ~20g
- Carbohydrates: ~54g
- Protein: ~4g