Can I make gooey coffee caramel cake ahead of time?

Yes — you can bake the cake a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–5 days. Before serving, warm individual slices for 10–20 seconds in the microwave to revive that gooey texture, then add a fresh drizzle of caramel.

How do I keep the caramel sauce from hardening too much?

Make sure your caramel is slightly warm (not boiling hot) when pouring it over the cake so it seeps in. Also, include cream and butter in the sauce—these fats help maintain a soft consistency. If it cools too fast, reheating gently before serving helps restore that drizzle-friendly texture.

Can I substitute brewed coffee with instant espresso or coffee granules?

Absolutely. Dissolve 1 to 2 teaspoons of instant espresso or coffee granules in ¼ cup of hot water and let it cool. This gives you concentrated flavor without altering the liquid balance too much.

Is this cake freezer-friendly?

Yes. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil (or use freezer-safe containers) and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm just before serving — then add fresh caramel drizzle to bring back the gooey experience.

Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake – 5 Secrets to Irresistible Flavor Bliss

Name: Gooey Coffee Caramel Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; ½ cup strong brewed coffee, cooled; 1 cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup water; ½ cup heavy cream, warm; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)

Description

If you’ve ever wanted a dessert that combines the deep aroma of coffee with the silky sweetness of caramel, this gooey coffee caramel cake delivers it perfectly. It’s moist, rich, and irresistibly sticky with every bite — the kind of cake that feels both comforting and luxurious.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

½ cup strong brewed coffee, cooled

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup water

½ cup heavy cream, warm

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)

Cook Mode Keep your screen awake while you cook

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch pan.

2. Let butter and eggs come to room temperature.

3. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in eggs and vanilla.

4. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture.

6. Stir in cooled brewed coffee until batter is smooth.

7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

8. Meanwhile, heat sugar and water in a saucepan until golden caramel forms.

9. Carefully whisk in warm cream and butter until smooth, then stir in salt and espresso powder.

10. Remove cake from oven, poke small holes on top, and pour caramel over the warm cake.

11. Let the cake absorb the caramel for 20 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Notes

Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a sprinkle of sea salt for contrast.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze without caramel drizzle for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT35M
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 420
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 85mg