Chocolate And Caramel Cake Food

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly grease 2 x 23cm loose-bottom cake tins and line with a circle of baking parchment. Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition, then add the baking powder, cocoa and a third of the flour. Mix well to combine, then stir in half the soured cream. Alternating between adding the flour and soured cream, mix everything until just combined. Spoon into the prepared tins, then smooth over the surface with a spoon.
• Bake for 30 mins or until the cakes are firm to touch and a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 5 mins, then turn out onto a rack and cool completely.
• When you're ready to serve, whip the double cream with 2 tbsp Dulce de leche until soft peaks form. Place 1 cake on a serving plate and spread with half the cream, then drizzle over the remaining Dulce de leche. Top with the other cake, then spread the remaining cream on top. Sprinkle with the chocolate. Chill until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Grease a bundt cake pan (24 x 8 centimeters (9 1/2-inch diameter with 3 1/4-inch-high sides)) with margarine and dust with flour.
• In a bowl combine the flour, the baking soda and the baking powder.
• In an electric mixer, beat on medium speed the margarine, the eggs and the brown sugar until obtain a homogeneous mixture. Add the chocolate powder, the liquid caramel and mix for 2 to 3 minutes until it's nicely incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat until obtain a creamy mixture.
• Pour the dough into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes (the time depends on the oven).
• Turn off the oven and unmold the cake onto a plate. Let cool completely and serve.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease and flour the parchment paper.
• Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
• Beat sugar and shortening together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. Mix in buttermilk and water. Add flour mixture slowly, beating on low speed until batter is smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Place pans on a wire rack to cool, about 10 minutes. Invert cakes carefully onto serving plates.
• Combine caramels, milk, and butter in a saucepan over low heat; cook, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle 1/2 of the pecan pieces and chocolate chips over 1 cake layer, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Pour 1/4 of the caramel on top. Place second cake layer on top. Sprinkle remaining pecans and chocolate chips over the cake. Pour remaining caramel on top, allowing some to drizzle down the sides.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DOMES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla, egg and 1 teaspoon hot water until smooth and combined.
• Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack, then flip out onto a cutting board to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Use a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out 6 circles from the cake (save the scraps for another use); set aside.
• For the chocolate domes and mousse: Meanwhile, add the coconut oil and 3 ounces of the chocolate to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the chocolate mixture into the cavities of a silicone half-sphere mold with six 3-ounce-capacity cavities and tilt the mold to swirl the chocolate around until each half-sphere is coated entirely (you can also use your finger to swirl the chocolate around). Some chocolate may spill over on top of the mold, which is fine; it will break off when you unmold the domes. Tap out any excess chocolate and freeze until the chocolate is hardened, about 5 minutes.
• Put 1/4 cup of the cream in a small bowl and stir in the gelatin. Put the butter and remaining 6 ounces chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir the gelatin mixture into the chocolate mixture until the gelatin is dissolved. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Add half of the chocolate-gelatin mixture and continue beating until well combined. Add the remaining chocolate-gelatin mixture and continue beating until no streaks remain.
• For the filling and topping: Scoop 1/3 cup of the mousse into each chocolate cavity in the half-sphere mold. Using the back of a teaspoon, make a divot in the middle of each portion of chocolate mousse about halfway down. Pour a heaping teaspoon of caramel sauce into each divot. Top each half-sphere with a cake round, pressing down gently into the mousse (use a paper towel to wipe away any mousse that may seep out of the mold). Freeze until the mousse is set, about 1 hour.
• Gently peel the mold away from each of the half-spheres and place them cake-side down on a serving platter.
• Use a vegetable peeler to shave 1 tablespoon of chocolate curls from the chocolate. Put the remaining chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted, about 1 minute. Drizzle the melted chocolate over each dome and sprinkle with the chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Make slits across the top of the cake, making sure not to go through to the bottom.
• In a saucepan over low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping, stirring until smooth and blended.
• Slowly pour over the warm cake, letting it sink into the slits; sprinkle the crushed chocolate toffee bars liberally across the entire cake while still warm.
• Let cake cool in pan completely.
• Top each slice with whipped topping, more chocolate toffee bar chunks, and swirls of carmel topping, if desired.
• Refrigerate and serve right from the pan!

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL-CREME CANDY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch square cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, vanilla and 1/2 cup water together in another bowl until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through cooking, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Discard the parchment paper and flip the cakes right side up again. Let the cakes cool completely.
• Make the caramel creme: Heat 1/2 cup sugar in a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until it turns dark amber in color, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the heavy cream (mixture will bubble up). When the bubbles subside, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the salt and stir until both dissolve in the caramel. Scrape the caramel into the bowl of a food processor and let cool completely.
• Combine the gelatin with 1 tablespoon cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Heat the gelatin in the microwave until it melts completely, about 10 seconds, stirring to dissolve. Add the gelatin mixture, cream cheese and sour cream to the food processor and process until smooth. Scrape the caramel creme filling into a bowl and refrigerate, checking every 5 minutes, until it is just thick enough to spread, 5 to 15 minutes. (Do not let the filling firm up too much.) Before layering the cake, give the mixture a good whisking to aerate it slightly. This will make for a lighter texture.
• Place one cake on a cake stand and pile the caramel filling in the center, spreading it in a thick layer almost to the edge. Top with the remaining cake, aligning the layers directly on top of each other so the cake does not lean. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan then remove from the heat. Add the chocolate, shaking the pan gently to submerge it. Allow the pan to stand, off the heat, for 3 minutes to melt the chocolate. Whisk the ganache until smooth, then refrigerate until it is just thick enough to spread (like mayonnaise), about 15 minutes. (Do not let the ganache harden too much.)
• Stir the ganache again and scoop it on top of the cake, spreading it over the top and sides. Refrigerate the cake until the ganache is set, at least 2 hours or overnight.

CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease two 9-inch round cake pans with solid vegetable shortening, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pans aside.
• Place the cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look well blended. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula. Place the pans in the oven side by side.
• Bake the cakes until they are golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 27 to 29 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes. Run a dinner knife around the edge of each layer and invert each onto a rack, then invert them again onto another rack to that the cakes are right side up. Allow them to cool completely, 30 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, prepare the Quick Caramel Frosting.
• Place one cake layer, right side up, on a serving platter. Spread the top with the warm frosting. Place the second layer, right side up, on top of the first layer and frost the top and sides of the cake with clean, smooth strokes. Work quickly, as the frosting will set. (If the frosting gets too hard to work with, place the pan back over low heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to soften it up.) Once the frosting has set, slice and serve.
• Store this cake, covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze, wrapped in foil, for up to 6 months. Thaw the cake overnight on the counter before serving.
• Place the butter and brown sugars in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir and cook until the mixture comes to a boil, about 2 minutes. Add the milk, stir, and bring the mixture back to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until the frosting is smooth.
• Use immediately (while still warm) to frost the cake of your choice or the frosting will harden. If it does harden while you are frosting the cake, simply place the pan back over low heat and stir until the frosting softens up.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and flour a 9x13" baking pan.
• Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together using a whisk.
• In a large mixing bowl, on low speed combine the buttermilk, sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla and the flour mixture until blended.
• Beat on high speed, scraping sides of bowl occasionally, for an additional l3 minutes.
• Pour half of the cake mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, melt the caramels and sweetened condensed milk together.
• After the first baking time, spread the caramel mixture over the warm cake. Put the remaining batter on top of the caramel and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until done.
• Serve warmed is best in my opinion topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL MUG CAKE

Steps:

• Put the flour, sugar, cocoa, pecans, baking powder and salt in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Combine well with a fork. Add the milk, vegetable oil and vanilla and mix well until smooth. Add the chocolate chips and caramel pieces and submerge them in the batter. Wipe the mug to clean.
• Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Let cool for 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave before topping with the marshmallow creme (or vanilla ice cream) and drizzling with caramel sauce.

SALTED CARAMEL MILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Put your chocolates in a big bowl. Put the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring up to a boil. As soon that happens, stop stirring and let it boil until it turns an amber color, 8 to 10 minutes or so. (If you think that it needs another stir, brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush, and stir the entire mixture, picking up the pot itself by the handle, being careful not to touch the caramel or else it could crystallize.) Once the mixture reaches that dark amber color, turn the heat down. Stand back from the pot and add the cream very slowly, stirring with a heatproof spatula. (If you are nervous about the steam, wear a kitchen glove to protect your hand.) Continue to stir until all is incorporated. Once the mixture is smooth, stir in the fine salt. Take off the heat and pour the caramel over the bowl of chocolate. Whisk to combine, making sure all the chocolate melts. Pop in the fridge for about 1 hour until completely chilled.
• Take the frosting out of the fridge and beat it with a hand mixer just until it becomes spreadable. Add the butter in pieces and mix until it's all combined. Pop back into the refrigerator for another hour.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake platter, flat-side up. (You want the cake flat-side up so when you get into it you'll have nice and even layers.) Evenly spread 2 cups of the frosting over the top. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes, then put the other cake layer on top, flat-side up. Spread the rest of the frosting over the top and on the sides of the cake. Sprinkle the top with more salt flakes.
• Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (9 by 2-inch) nonstick round cake pans. Line the bottom of each with a round of parchment paper, and then butter the paper.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt together onto parchment paper. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 4 or 5 minutes. Add your eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until completely incorporated before adding each additional egg. Mix in the chocolate and vanilla, making sure to combine really well. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, in 3 batches, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Make sure to let it mix thoroughly.
• Pour half the batter in each pan and spread it evenly with a spatula or butter knife. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 25 minutes. Remove the pans to racks and allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes or so. Loosen the edges of the cake from the pan with a knife, then turn them onto the racks. Remove the paper and let the cakes completely cool.

CHOCOLATE SALTED CARAMEL COOKIE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Oil two 20cm sandwich tins and line the bases with non-stick baking paper. Sieve the flour, cocoa and baking powder into a large bowl, then stir in the sugar. Whisk together the yogurt, milk, coffee and eggs in a jug until combined. Gradually whisk the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until you have a smooth batter. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 30-35 mins, until a skewer inserted into the centre of each sponge comes out clean. Remove from the tins and put on a wire rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the buttercream. Beat together the butter, icing sugar and cocoa for 5-8 mins until smooth and creamy. Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water, or in 30 second blasts in the microwave. Whisk the melted chocolate into the buttercream until fully incorporated. Put three quarters of it into a piping bag with a large, round nozzle.
• Put one of the sponges onto a plate and pipe buttercream around its edge, with dots going around the circumference. Spread 2 tbsp of the remaining buttercream in the centre of the cake using a spoon or palette knife.
• Mix together the caramel and milk with a pinch of salt. Spread half the caramel into the centre to cover the layer of buttercream. Crumble half of the cookies on top of that. Chill for 30 mins until the buttercream has hardened slightly.
• Lay the second sponge on top of the first. Repeat the piping of the dots around the top of the cake, but this time fill the whole circle with dots of buttercream. Drizzle the salted caramel over the buttercream dots. Break the remaining cookies into halves or quarters and arrange on top of the cake, then grate over a little dark chocolate, if you like.

NO-FUSS CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 13x9-inch cake; cool completely.
• Spoon frosting into medium bowl. Add COOL WHIP; whisk until blended. Spread onto cake; drizzle with caramel topping.
• Sprinkle with nuts.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine the caramels, sweetened condensed milk and butter.
• Over medium heat, cook and stir until melted and smooth.
• Set aside.
• Heat the oil and chocolate in a large saucepan or microwave in a large microwavable bowl at medium for 2 minutes or until melted.
• Add the water, sugar, eggs, flour, salt, baking soda and vanilla to the chocolate mixture.
• Beat with a fork until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
• Spread half the batter into a greased 13" x 9" cake pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until the center is set.
• Remove from the oven.
• Spoon the caramel mixture evenly over the cake.
• Spread the remaining batter evenly over the caramel layer.
• Sprinkle with nuts.
• Return to the oven and bake 40 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Cool completely before cutting.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL EUPHORIA CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan; cool for 5 minutes. Make slits across the top of the cake, making sure not to go through to the bottom.
• 2. In a saucepan over low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping, stirring until smooth and blended. Slowly pour the warm topping mixture over the warm cake, letting it sink into the slits; sprinkle the crushed chocolate toffee bars liberally across the entire cake while still warm.
• 3. Let cake cool in pan completely. Top each slice with whipped topping, more chocolate toffee bar chunks, and swirls of caramel topping, if desired. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Serve from the pan.

BUTTERFINGER CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Bake cake mix according to directions on box.
• While still warm, poke several holes in the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.
• Pour whole can of sweetened condensed milk first and then caramel topping over cake.
• Let both soak in and completely cool.
• Crumble 4 mini butterfingers into container of cool whip, mix, and spread over cooled cake.
• Crumble 4 remaining mini butterfingers on top of cake.

CHOCOLATE CAKE CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• Melt first 2 ingredients together over low heat.
• In separate bowl, combine cake mix, butter, and evaporated milk. Do NOT mix the chocolate chips into mixture.
• Put half of cake mixture in a greased & floured 9x13 pan. Bake 6 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake mixture (DO NOT MIX INTO CAKE BATTER). Pour caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Pour remaining cake mix on top, dropping mix by spoonfuls.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes, cool 20 minutes, cut into bars.

EASY CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter two 20cm springform tins and line the bases with baking parchment.
• Beat the butter and both sugars in a bowl with an electric whisk for a few mins until lighter in colour and fluffy. Add the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour and beating in between each egg. Add the remaining flour and milk. Divide between the cake tins and bake for 25-30 mins until they're golden, spring back when pressed, and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle. Cool in the tins for a few mins, then tip out and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, for the icing, put the butter and icing sugar in a bowl and whisk for a few mins until light and airy. Whisk in the caramel briefly, adding 1 tbsp of boiling water to loosen, if needed. Set aside until the sponges are completely cool before assembling, or the icing will melt.
• Use half the icing to sandwich the cakes together, then spread the remainder over the top, smoothing it out with a knife or the back of a spoon. Leave in a cool place until ready to serve. Drizzle with the 3 tbsp extra sauce (warm briefly in the microwave if it's a little stiff), allowing some to drip down the sides if you like, and scatter over the toffee, chocolate or caramel pieces to serve. Edible glitter, birthday candles or sparklers, optional.

CHOCOLATE & CARAMEL OMBRE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line bases of 2 x 20cm sandwich tins with baking parchment. For the Vanilla & chocolate sponges, mix all the ingredients, apart from the cocoa, together with an electric whisk. Scrape half the mix into a second bowl and whizz in the cocoa. Scrape into the tins and bake for 20-25 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean.
• Repeat step 1 for the Caramel & caramel-choc sponges, again leaving cocoa out of the first mixing, then splitting the mix in half and whizzing the cocoa into one batch. Cook as above.
• While sponges are cooling, melt the dark and milk chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Remove from the heat, stir in the cream and cool or chill until spreadable.
• When the sponges are cool, spread a third of the caramel over the Vanilla sponge and top with the Caramel sponge. Spread over another third of the caramel and top with the Caramel-choc sponge, then the final third of caramel and top with the Chocolate sponge (don't panic if you mix up the layers, the cake will still look great when you cut in). Spread the chocolate icing over the whole cake to serve. It will keep in a cool place in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL LAYER CAKE RECIPE - (3.7/5)

Steps:

• Serves 12 Baking spray that contains flour can be used to grease and flour the pans. Both natural and Dutch-processed cocoa will work in this recipe. When taking the temperature of the caramel in steps 3 and 4, remove the pot from the heat and tilt the pan to one side. Use your thermometer to stir the caramel back and forth to equalize hot and cool spots and make sure you are getting an accurate reading. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper, grease parchment, and flour pans. Sift flour and cocoa into large bowl. Whisk in sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk buttermilk, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla together in second bowl. Whisk buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until smooth batter forms. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops with rubber spatula. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 28 minutes, switching and rotating pans halfway through baking. Let cakes cool in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove cakes from pans, discarding parchment, and let cool completely on rack, at least 2 hours. FOR THE CARAMEL FILLING: Lightly grease 8-inch square baking pan. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and cook, without stirring, until mixture is amber colored, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, swirling saucepan occasionally, until dark amber, 2 to 5 minutes longer. (Caramel will register between 375 and 380 degrees.) Off heat, carefully stir in cream, butter, vanilla, and salt (mixture will bubble and steam). Return saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until smooth and caramel reaches 240 to 245 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully transfer caramel to prepared pan and let cool until just warm to touch (100 to 105 degrees), 20 to 30 minutes. FOR THE FROSTING: Process butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add corn syrup and vanilla and process until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl, then add chocolate and pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. (Frosting can be made 3 hours in advance. For longer storage, cover and refrigerate frosting. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before using.) Using long serrated knife, score 1 horizontal line around sides of each cake layer; then, following scored lines, cut each layer into 2 even layers. 7. Using rubber spatula or large spoon, transfer 1/3 of caramel to center of 1 cake layer and use small offset spatula to spread over surface, leaving 1/2-inch border around edge. Repeat with remaining caramel and 2 of remaining cake layers. (Three of your cake layers should be topped with caramel.) Line edges of cake platter with 4 strips of parchment to keep platter clean. Place 1 caramel-covered cake layer on platter. Top with second caramel-covered layer. Repeat with third caramel-covered layer and top with final layer. Spread frosting evenly over sides and top of cake. Carefully remove parchment strips. Let cake stand for at least 1 hour. (Cake can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Let stand at room temperature for at least 5 hours before serving.) Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if using. Cut and serve.

CHOCOLATE-SALTED CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Chop 3 oz. chocolate finely. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 28 to 32 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool completely.
• Microwave caramels, water and 1/8 tsp. salt in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec.; stir. Microwave 30 sec. more; stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 10-sec. increments until caramels are completely melted and sauce is well blended. Cool 10 min.
• Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with mixer until creamy. Add caramel sauce; mix well. Gently stir in COOL WHIP; spread onto cake.
• Melt remaining chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with remaining salt.