The Baker Chick

Baking up a delicious life.

Sweet and Salty Layer Cake

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Sweet & Salty Layer CakeHave you ever had a dream about a cake? I actually have dreamed about several desserts in the last few years and this beauty was one of them. I woke up super excited to make a cake that involved ground up potato chips and pretzels in the frosting! Yup- this chocolate cake is topped with thick caramel sauce, and a sweet & salty frosting concoction that has the most amazing flavor. Sweet,salty, almost savory with some delicious crunchy bits. This cake was everything I imagined it would be and more. 

Sweet & Salty Layer Cake

When I was baking it on Sunday, I had such high hopes that I would be able to recreate it for the Superbowl in a couple weeks, but sadly the Packers were so heartbreakingly defeated. Then I realized I’m actually going to be on vacation for the Superbowl anyway- so I’ll enjoy a frosty drink on the beach instead…but for those of you celebrating Superbowl Sunday with a spread of amazing food & drink, this cake would be perfect don’t you think? I also can imagine an amazing cupcake with salted caramel filling and this fabulous frosting. Anything sweet & salty is a winner in my book and this cake is just the best!

 

Sweet & Salty Layer Cake

Sweet & Salty Layer Cake

Yield: 1 8 inch layer cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used dark)
  • 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 and 1/4 cups sugar
  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 batch Caramel Sauce*

For the Frosting:

  • 1 1/4 cups butter, room temperature. (2 1/2 sticks)
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2/3 cup crushed potato chips
  • 2/3 cup crushed pretzels
  • splash of milk
  • More chips and pretzels for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter two 8 inch round cake pans, sprinkle with flour and line with parchment rounds. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda and salt.) Whisk together until well combined.

Add all the rest of the ingredients- (eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil and vanilla,) and whisk until smooth, clump-free and glossy. (Don't over-mix)

Divide the batter evenly among the pans, and bake for 30-40 minutes, (depending on your oven,) or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting

Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth, creamy and well combined. Gradually add the crushed chips/pretzels. Add a splash of milk if frosting feels too thick/stiff. Beat on high until smooth.

To assemble cake:

Use a serrated knife to level and torte the cake. Slice each layer evenly into two additional layers.

Place one layer on a turntable or cake stand. Spread 1/4 of the caramel sauce over the first cake layer. Top with 1/4 of the frosting.

Add another cake layer and repeat, spreading the caramel sauce and then frosting.

When you get to the top layer, spread on the remaining frosting and drizzle with caramel sauce. Garnish with crushed chips and pretzels.

Notes

* You want the caramel to be thick and spreadable, so let it firm up after making. Either make your caramel in advance or pop it in the freezer until it is firm and spreadable. You can then warm the remaining sauce before drizzling it over the top of the cake.

Chocolate Cake Recipe adapted from: Martha Stewart

Sweet & Salty Layer Cake

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Comments

  7. Oh my goodness, this is too amazing to believe! Can’t wait to try it :) . Sorry about your Packers, but to be honest, a frosty drink on the beach sounds so much better then a football game!! Perhaps that’s because its been below zero here in northern NY day after day and I would give anything to sit on a warm beach!! Have a wonderful vacation, Audra! Come back rested with stories and pictures……….

    Reply

  10. Dreaming about cake is all I ever dream of! Sometimes it gets too boring, like I wanna see something else other than food in my dreams. But…guess it just comes with the package of being a foodie. I know I’ll be dreaming about this cake for sure…it looks heavenly. This sweet and salty combo is right up my alley. Pinned!

    Reply

  13. I know this is not actually part of this post (apart from the fact that this cake looks incredibly delicious, and my mouth is watering)– but I just had to say I was just watching an episode of the Mindy Project and saw you on it! I was so excited, I had to rewind a couple of times!

    Thanks for all the delicious recipe inspiration :)

    Reply

  14. Hello, this looks so good! Question, how does the frosting hold up? Can I make this the day before and add the remaining chips/pretzels on top prior to serving? I guess I’m thinking that the chips and pretzels in the frosting would make it mushy?
    Thank you!

    Reply

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