Yup. I went there.
I have a deep love affair with Starbucks. We’re best friends. This fall, they introduced a new drink…the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino. It’s divine. Simply divine. My friend Ashley and I have shared many of them together this fall, so when she had a new baby girl last week, I knew she needed some cake to celebrate. My hubby turned his nose up at the idea of putting salt in a cake…then he sampled the cake…let’s just say, his nose is no longer turned up. The salt really brings out the flavor of the cake and compliments the mocha and caramel beautifully. So yummy. Thank you Starbucks for the inspiration and congratulations Ashley and Eric on baby Hayden Avery!
Shopping List
1 box chocolate cake mix
2 small boxes of instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup of veggie oil
1 1/4 cups of water, hot (something unusual for my bundt cake recipes!)
1 tablespoon instant coffee
4 eggs
1 cup caramel pieces
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
1 teaspoon sea salt, plus a pinch more for garnishing
4 cups powdered sugar
3-4 splashes of milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease (I use Pam) a 10 inch bundt pan
Start by heating the water in the microwave for two minutes…we need it hot. Stir in instant coffee to dissolve.
In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, puddings, oil, coffee water and eggs with electric mixer. Stir in caramel pieces. Pour into prepared bundt pan.
Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cake rest on counter in pan 10 minutes. Then, invert cake onto serving plate to finish cooling.
To make the frosting, beat butter and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth, then beat in caramel topping and salt. Slowly beat in powdered sugar and milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Frost cake and garnish with a pinch more salt and a drizzle of caramel topping.
So yummy!
The Vaughans says
This cake was so, so, so, so GOOD! Thanks so much friend 🙂 Love you!
Amber Massey says
Oh good gracious. In. Love. Must. Try.
Anonymous says
Can't wait to try this recipe…was wondering if you can use brewed coffee instead of instant????
Mix and Match Mama says
You can totally use brewed coffee!
Danielle says
Just made this for my roommate's birthday last night and it was SO good! Everyone raved about it. Love your blog and can't wait for more cakes!
Kim Kauffman says
Making this for a wedding this weekend! She's marrying a Norwegian and apparently in Norway they have many people bring various cakes for dessert, instead of just having one main cake. Practicing by making one today before I make it for the wedding. Yum!!
Chocoholic says
I've made about 5 of your cakes and they have all been great, but this one is the BEST (so far.) Love your recipes!
Emma says
Love the sound of this recipe, but in the UK its hard to find US-style chocolate pudding. Is there anything I could use as a substitute? Thanks!
Sallie Sells says
Fabulous cake!
I have a question though. I've made this one, and apple butterscotch, multiple times and I always face the issue of the caramel/butterscotch chips sinking to the bottom. Then when I flip the cake out, a fair amount sticks to the pan. I've tried less chips, less cooling time, more cooling time, spraying my pans more, nothing seems to help! Is it just me? Should I try to coat the chips with flour like you suggest with blueberries? It gets covered by icing so I know it's not a huge deal…but if I can fix it I'd like to!
Mix and Match Mama says
You might be over-stirring. Sometimes, if I stir too much, the chips will sink. I just barely fold them in. Hope this helps!!
Unknown says
What kind of caramel pieces are you talking about? Do these come in chips or squares?