Decadent Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake

This Salted Caramel Cake is a dream come true for anyone who loves the gooey goodness of caramel paired with the deep, rich taste of chocolate. It’s easy to make and so delicious—perfect for any celebration or a sweet end to your day!

A fork holding a bite of chocolate cake with caramel frosting, chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of Patriotic Gumdrops above a plate with a slice of the same cake. A baking pan is in the background.
Salted Caramel Cake. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

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Why You Will Love Making This Salted Caramel Cake Recipe

There’s just something so satisfying about baking a cake from scratch, especially when it turns out as delicious as this salted caramel cake. Here’s why you’re going to love making it:

  • It’s straightforward: You don’t need any fancy techniques or ingredients to get this cake right.
  • Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s a birthday cake or just a regular weekday cake, this recipe makes it special.
  • Everyone loves it: Seriously, who can resist chocolate and salted caramel flavors together?
  • Adaptable: You can tweak the frosting or add different toppings to suit your taste.
  • Fun to decorate: Drizzle with extra caramel or sprinkle with sea salt for a fancy finish.
  • Delicious results: The tenderness of the moist cake is incredibly tasty and irresistible!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.

A bowl of chocolate cake mix, a container of caramel frosting, three eggs, a cup of milk, Patriotic Gumdrops, and a baking pan are arranged on a marble countertop.
Salted Caramel Cake Ingredients. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Make Salted Caramel Cake with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Ready to make this decadent treat? Here’s how to create your salted caramel cake, step-by-step:

Prepare Your Baking Tin

Preheat your oven to the temperature listed on the cake mix box. Grease a 7×7 inch square tin with some unsalted butter or a quick spray of cooking oil to keep things from sticking. Note: If you want to make two cake layers, use two cake pans of the same size. 8-inch tins are ideal.

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DESSERTS!

Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.

Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.

Stylized yellow chef hat above a pocket with a fork symbol on the right side, outlined in black and white.

∙  Lemon Pound Cake

∙  Starbucks Cake Pops

∙  Boston Cream Pie

∙  Chocolate Mousse

∙  Matcha Tiramisu

...and much more!

Includes ad-free recipes like:

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Mix Your Batter

In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and milk. Check the cake mix box for specific measurements and how long you should mix everything together. This usually takes only a couple of minutes.

Bake

Pour or spoon your batter into the prepared tin (or 2 cake tins if you’re making 2 layers), spreading it out evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake according to the package instructions. The kitchen will start to smell amazing!

A baking pan filled with chocolate swirl batter surrounded by baking utensils, a dishcloth, a bowl, and broken eggshells on a countertop.
Pour or spoon batter into the prepared tin(s), spread evenly, and bake according to the package instructions.

Let It Cool

After baking, let the cake cool in its tin for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to frost later without the cake breaking apart.

Frost and Finish

Open your box of salted caramel buttercream and give it a good stir. Using a spatula, spread the frosting over the cooled cake. If you want extra richness, go ahead and layer on more frosting. Let it set for a few minutes, then slice, serve, and enjoy the gooey goodness of your homemade salted caramel cake!

A pan of 12 chocolate brownies topped with a layer of creamy caramel frosting sits on a marble surface, surrounded by scattered chocolate chips, forks, and a textured cloth.
Spread caramel frosting over the cooled cake, then slice and serve.
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A plate with two stacked pieces of chocolate cake drizzled with caramel sauce. A baking tray with more cake is in the background.

Decadent Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake Recipe

This Salted Caramel Cake is a dream come true for anyone who loves the gooey goodness of caramel paired with the deep, rich taste of chocolate. It's easy to make and so delicious—perfect for any celebration or a sweet end to your day!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salted caramel cake
Servings: 12
Calories: 370kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

  • 1 box of chocolate cake mix any brand
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 20 ounces box of salted caramel frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the chocolate cake mix box.
  • Grease the 7×7 cm square tin with butter or cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and milk. Follow the instructions on the cake mix box for the specific measurements and mixing time.
    1 box of chocolate cake mix, 3 eggs, 3 tablespoons milk
  • Once the cake batter is well mixed, pour it into the greased square tin, spreading it evenly. Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the tin for about 10 minutes.
  • Once the baking process is complete, remove the cake from the oven and permit it to cool off in its baking pan for around 10 minutes. Open the box of salted caramel frosting give it a good stir to ensure it is smooth and spreadable.
    20 ounces box of salted caramel frosting
  • Using a spatula or butter knife, spread the salted caramel frosting evenly over the top of the cake. You can also add a second layer of frosting if desired. Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before serving.
  • Slice the cake into squares or desired shapes and serve. Enjoy your decadent Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake!

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the batter: Just mix until the wet and dry ingredients are combined; overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
  • Check for doneness with a toothpick: Insert it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready to come out of the oven.
  • Cool completely before frosting: This helps the frosting spread evenly without melting.
  • Decoration ideas: Customize your cake by adding a sprinkle of sea salt, grated dark chocolate, salted caramel sauce, or chopped nuts on top of the frosting for an extra pop of flavor. Crushed cookies can also make a delicious crumb coating!
  • Make ahead: You can bake the cake a day in advance. Just keep it in the cake tin covered with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature. Frost it before serving to keep it super fresh.
  • Is there a substitute for the boxed cake mix? Yes, you can use any basic chocolate cake recipe or your favorite from-scratch recipe if you prefer to avoid boxed mixes.

Storage Instructions

  • Keep it covered: Use an airtight container or wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap. 
  • Room temperature: If you’re eating the cake within a couple of days, just keep it at room temperature. This helps maintain the cake’s moisture and flavor.
  • Refrigerate: If you won’t finish it right away, pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to a week.
  • Freeze: You can freeze slices of the cake for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to eat.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 401mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

SERIOUSLY GOOD

DESSERTS!

Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.

Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.

Stylized yellow chef hat above a pocket with a fork symbol on the right side, outlined in black and white.

∙  Lemon Pound Cake

∙  Starbucks Cake Pops

∙  Boston Cream Pie

∙  Chocolate Mousse

∙  Matcha Tiramisu

...and much more!

Includes ad-free recipes like:

Two digital tablets display dessert-themed images; one shows a book cover titled

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your salted caramel cake:

  • Don’t overmix the batter: Just mix until the wet and dry ingredients are combined; overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
  • Check for doneness with a toothpick: Insert it into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready to come out of the oven.
  • Cool completely before frosting: This helps the frosting spread evenly without melting.
  • Decoration ideas: Customize your cake by adding a sprinkle of sea salt, grated dark chocolate, salted caramel sauce, or chopped nuts on top of the frosting for an extra pop of flavor. Crushed cookies can also make a delicious crumb coating!
  • Make ahead: You can bake the cake a day in advance. Just keep it in the cake tin covered with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature. Frost it before serving to keep it super fresh.
  • Is there a substitute for the boxed cake mix? Yes, you can use any basic chocolate cake recipe or your favorite from-scratch recipe if you prefer to avoid boxed mixes.

How to Store Leftover Salted Caramel Cake

Got some cake left over? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep your salted caramel cake tasting fresh and fabulous:

  • Keep it covered: Use an airtight container or wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap. 
  • Room temperature: If you’re eating the cake within a couple of days, just keep it at room temperature. This helps maintain the cake’s moisture and flavor.
  • Refrigerate: If you won’t finish it right away, pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to a week.
  • Freeze: You can freeze slices of the cake for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to eat.

Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe

Making a delicious salted caramel cake doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are 3 money-saving tips to keep your wallet happy while you bake:

  1. Milk substitutes: Substitute water or milk powder for milk in the cake mix if you’re tight on budget.
  2. Go generic: Use a cheaper brand of chocolate cake mix and frosting to save a few pennies.
  3. Decorations: Get creative with decorations using items you already have at home. A drizzle of chocolate syrup, grated chocolate bar, chopped nuts, and a sprinkle of sea salt work great.

What to Serve with Salted Caramel Cake

Serving up a slice of salted caramel cake? Here are a few side ideas to go with it:

Complement with Coffee

Nothing beats the classic combo of coffee and cake. The robust flavor of a good cup of joe balances the sweet richness of caramel and chocolate, making each bite of cake even more enjoyable.

Add a Scoop of Ice Cream

For a truly indulgent dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side of your cake slice. The creaminess of the ice cream melds beautifully with the dense, moist texture of the cake.

Whipped Cream on Top

A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream on top of your cake slice can add a lightness to your dessert. You can use cool whip, whipped cream spray, or make your own whipped cream with heavy cream.

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