This Chocolate Caramel Cake is a classic chocolate layer cake topped caramel frosting, a caramel drizzle, and toasted pecans. It has that cozy turtle cake feel without being fussy and is easy to love.
I live serving this as a layer cake for holidays and special occasions, but it's just as welcome on an ordinary day. It's one of those cakes that goes great with a glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Why You'll Love This Chocolate Caramel Cake
Double caramel: all the flavor comes from the frosting and the drizzle on each cake layer.
Classic layers: two chocolate cake layers keep this cake traditional and easy to serve.
Turtle-inspired: the combination of chocolate, caramel, and pecans will feel familiar to anyone who loves turtle cake flavors.
Key Ingredients for Chocolate Layer Cake
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Unsweetened cocoa: mixed with boiling water, it creates a smooth, rich chocolate base for the cake.
- Brown sugar: cooked into the frosting, it gives that unmistakable caramel-style flavor.
- Butter: used in both the cake and frosting for richness and structure.
- Pecans: toasted and finely chopped, they add crunch and balance thesweetness.
- Caramel sauce: drizzled over the top of the layers for that double caramel flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Light brown sugar can replace dark brown sugar in the frosting.
- Whole milk can be used instead of fat free milk.
- Chopped toasted walnuts may be used in place of the pecans.
Variations on Chocolate Caramel Cake with Pecans
- Bake the cake in a 9x13 pan and finish with frosting and caramel drizzle.
- Use chocolate fudge drizzle instead of caramel drizzle for an extra fudgy chocolate cake.
- Leave off the nuts for a smooth chocolate caramel cake.
Tips for Making Chocolate Cake
- Let the cocoa mixture cool fully before mixing it into the cake batter.
- Cook the brown sugar frosting just until the sugar melts for a smooth texture.
- Warm the caramel slightly so it drizzles cleanly over the frosting.
How to Store
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving so the frosting and caramel softens.
More Cake Recipes You'll Love
If this cake hits the spot, you may also enjoy my Banana Macadamia Cake, Sour Cream Chocolate Cake, Cherry Pound Cake with Lime Glaze, and Southern Diner Cake.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Caramel Cake
Equipment
- 8-inch round cake pans
- Saucepan
- Wire cooling racks
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Ingredients
For the Cake:
- Cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1½ cups boiling water
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 larlge eggs
- 1⅔ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fat free milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
For the Topping:
- ⅔ cup fat free caramel sauce
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Coat bottoms of 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray (do not coat sides of pans); line bottoms with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour.
- In a medium saucepan, combine boiling water and cocoa powder, stirring well with a whisk. Cool completely.
- Place granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl; beat with an electric hand mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs to butter mixture, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In another mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
- Pour batter into prepared pans, sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean Cool in pans 10 minutes on wire rack, and remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
For the Frosting
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add brown sugar and 2 tablespoons milk, and cook 1 minute or until sugar melts. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
- Combine buttter mixture and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar, beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating until spreading consistency.
Assembling the Cake
- Place 1 cake layer on a plate, and spread top with half of frosting. Place caramel topping in a small zip-top plastic bag. Snip a small hole in 1 corner of bag and drizzle half of caramel over frosting.
- Top with other cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top of cake, and drizzle with remaining caramel topping. Sprinkle with pecans.
Amanda says
Oh how I wish I could lick my screen and taste that beauty. It looks so super yummy!
Sarena Shasteen says
I am really not a huge chocolate fan, but oddly...now I am craving chocolate! It looks so good! I too have been an avid reader of CookingLight for many years and I do love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that recipe. I will have to try it out!
Jaime says
i'm drooling over here!
Sam Sotiropoulos says
Oh Shelby! When I saw this cake I almost broke into tears... In a word: Wow!
Olga says
wow, I don't think I've ever made a cake from scratch (other than the Daring Bakers challenges).
It looks so good!
Linda says
I love Cooking Light & haven't used any of their recipes in years. This cake looks delicious!
Maris says
I'm TOTALLY floored that this cake is from Cooking Light. I NEVER would have guessed!
Kevin says
That cake looks so decadent and good!
No Thyme To Cook says
That cake looks awesome!
Becky says
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. Not just because I love comments but because you led me to a delicious looking almost guilt free chocolate cake! I'm so excited to make it, I love chocolate.
Susan says
This looks really delicious- no wonder your Dad wanted to take it home!
Theresa says
This looks delicious, Just what I'm looking for, low fat, I think!
Cakelaw says
Wowee wow wow - this is low fat? Hooray!!!! It looks wonderful - good news for baking lovers like me who are trying to shift some Christmas weight.
The Food Site says
Now, that's what I call a cheat meal without cheating! Would love to try it out soon, hmmm..maybe for my son's birthday.
~Foong~
Alyson's Wonderland says
Oh man if that's light then I'm starting my diet now!
Megan says
That cake looks awesome! Now I just need to find me an excuse make it. Cant have a cake like that in this house with just a family of three. You know how that would up the calorie count. 😉
Sara says
I made this one for my husband's birthday a few years back, we loved it!
Carrie says
That cake looks AWESOME!
Katypi says
This cake looks sinful...being good is highly overated in this instance, I think!
Melissa says
Wow!!! That looks incredibly delicious. I am going to have to try this one.
jgodsey says
those pictures are pornographic,
Chef E says
OMG, you find me in the kitchen the next morning passed out with the evidence of chocolate, caramel, and pecans gone, because I ate it all in one sitting!
That is a beautiful piece of dessert you have made!
CookiePie says
That is one gorgeous cake!!!
Esi says
I have totally had cake on the brain lately, and a cake that's light is even better!!
Chocolate Shavings says
That surely doesn't look light but I'll take your word for it! It looks delicious.
pinkstripes says
OMG. That looks so delicious. You could never guess that it is a light recipe. YUM>
Vera says
The cake looks so rich and chocolaty!
And there are only 6 tbsp of butter; amazing!
Gera says
Shelby I'm drooling with the caramel dripping a sweet masterpiece! Totally craving it and light better 🙂
Gera .:. sweetsfoods
Barbara Bakes says
Shelby - This cake looks devine! My internet isn't working and I'm so addicted I went to the library to use the internet. I may have to go home and bake instead!
Reeni♥ says
Your cake is awesome! I would of never known if you hadn't told. It looks delicious!
noble pig says
I would have stolen the cake and ran out the door ! Wow, I love it!
Linda says
I love Cooking Light too. This looks really good.
n.o.e says
Your cake looks great!
Nancy
Peabody says
309 calories per serving...too bad their idea of a serving and mine are VERY different. 🙂
This looks super duper good!
Creative One says
Looks yummy. It is a plus that it is low in calories as well.
Sabrina says
That looks amazing! seriously... Im drooling!
Terri says
My Gosh! This looks absolutely sinful! I have to try it!
Pam says
This looks heavenly! I just love Cooking Light recipes. Excellent photos too.
Maria says
That cake looks amazing! I am wishing I had a slice!! Nice work!
Stephanie says
Oh wow, that looks absolutely incredible! Way to go on finding a deliciously decadent recipe that doesn't break the calorie bank!
5 Star Foodie says
I love the pecan topping! Looks amazing!
justeatfood says
Interesting that it isn't too sweet! It looks absolutely gooey with goodness!
Best,
Emily
Robin Sue says
This cake looks crazy good! I agree that I really can count on Cooking light for good recipes as well as Southern Living. Such good quality. I am happy to see that you highlight some of the recipes here. I really helps me pick which ones I should start with!
~Vanessa~ says
My goodness this looks wonderful! Light? No way?!?!?! 🙂
Hugs,
Vanessa
Lisa says
Wow! this just doesn't look light. I have that cookbook and will try it one of these days.
Tangled Noodle says
This looks almost too good to be true . . . !
Jessie says
Whoa! This is amazing! Well done 😀
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
pigpigscorner says
Ooooo looks really delicious! Love the word light =D I've been stopping myself from baking chocolate cakes recently as I am trying to lose a few pounds.
Darius T. Williams says
So yup - this cake looks like it totally rocks.
Debbie says
Oh what a delicious looking cake. I love the fact that the calories are not that bad either!!!
Meg says
Beautiful cake. I love that it is light! YUM!
Bellini Valli says
I would never have believed this was a light recipe...but Cooking Light magazine can do it all!!!!They are my favourite!!
Aparna says
Your cake looks so rich and moist its hard to believe it's "light" even though the recipe says so.
I'm not surprised your Dad wanted to take it home.
recipes2share says
WOW! I would never have guessed the 'light'! It looks fantastic.
tardevil says
Man, that looks delicious! Now, I'm hungry!
Marthe says
This looks so delicious!! I've been looking all over town for the Cooking Light magazines, but unfortunately they are not available here.... 🙁
Navita says
luscious! want a slice..ot two may be!