Coffee lovers have met their match! This sumptuous sweet and salty caramel coffee poke cake is loaded with amazing coffee flavor in each decadent bite.
From our A Piece of Cake cookbook, this caramel poke cake is a triple treat! A luscious, scratch-made vanilla-butter cake, baked in a rectangular pan, is infused with a decadent caramel-coffee mixture of cream cheese, caramel, coffee, and espresso beans. The experience is topped off with luxurious caramel whipped cream and a crunchy, salty, coffee-infused topping of crushed pretzels and espresso beans—a blissful combination of sweet, salty, and coffee-flavored perfection.
This cake is probably best served to adults. Knock their socks off by serving it at your next brunch, book club, or anniversary dinner. Set up plated servings next to a self-serve hot coffee or cold brew station, for an exciting highlight at your next gathering. Don’t be surprised when you see guests going back for seconds—this cake is just that good.
In large bowl, beat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy. Pour into pan.
In medium bowl, beat cream cheese on low speed 30 seconds. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup caramel topping and the coffee 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth and creamy. Stir in espresso beans. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over surface, working back and forth to fill holes. (Some filling should remain on top of cake.) Cover loosely and refrigerate 2 hours or until chilled.
Spread Sweetened Whipped Cream over top of cake; drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel topping. Just before serving, top with pretzels and espresso beans. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cake.
Short on time? Mix up a Super Moist ™yellow cake mix as directed on the box instead of the scratch cake; continuing as directed in Step 3. Use 8-oz frozen (thawed) whipped topping for the Sweetened Whipped Cream in Step 6.
For cold strong coffee, make double strength instant coffee or instant espresso. Cool in the refrigerator until ready to use.
For 3 cups of sweetened whipped cream, in a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream with electric mixer on low speed until thickened. Beat in 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Gradually increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form that don't bend over when beater is lifted out of the cream.
| Food Component / Nutrient | Amount | % , Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 24g | 36% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | ½g | % Value Not Available |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | % Value Not Available |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | % Value Not Available |
| Omega-3 | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 410mg | 17% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 5% |
| Soluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Insoluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Sugars | 35g | % Value Not Available |
| Protein | 6g | % Value Not Available |
| Vitamin D | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Calcium | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Iron | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Potassium | 160mg | 4% |
| Vitamin A | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Vitamin C | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Vitamin E | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Thiamin | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Riboflavin | Value Not Available | 20% |
| Niacin | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Vitamin B6 | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Folic Acid | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Vitamin B12 | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Pantothenic Acid | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Phosphorus | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Magnesium | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Zinc | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Manganese | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Selenium | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Copper | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Beta-Carotene | Value Not Available | % Value Not Available |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
