Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Slowly mix in the hot water; the batter will be thin, but this makes the cake extra moist.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For the caramel filling, heat sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts into a golden amber color. Remove from heat, stir in butter, and gradually add heavy cream. Stir in sea salt and allow to cool to room temperature.
- For the ganache, heat the cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly to thicken.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread the caramel filling evenly on top. Place the second cake layer over the caramel.
- Pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Smooth with a spatula if desired.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with extra caramel for garnish, if using. Chill slightly before serving to set the ganache.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty: Medium
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap the chocolate cake for a dark chocolate flourless cake for an extra rich experience.
- Use salted caramel for the filling for a bolder, sweet-and-salty contrast.
- Add a layer of chopped toasted pecans between cake layers for crunch.
- Substitute ganache with chocolate buttercream if desired for a more spreadable frosting.
Serving Suggestions
The most important part is just ahead — click NEXT »»
