Best 20 Chocolate Caramel Cake Recipes

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 TOFFEE CRUNCH CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake in a 9x13" baking pan as directed on back of cake mix. Let cake cool. Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake. Mix together the sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping and pour all over the cake, letting it sink down into the holes. Spread whipped topping over the caramel layer and sprinkle with crushed Heath bars.
• I keep this cake in the fridge- it's delicious cold!

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt chocolate in water. Stir in food coloring if desired. Remove from the heat; cool completely. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Add cooled chocolate mixture; beat on medium speed for 1 minute. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, combine the brown sugar, milk, butter and salt in a large heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; cool to lukewarm. Transfer to a small bowl; beat in confectioners' sugar, cream and vanilla until mixture achieves spreading consistency. Frost cake. Garnish with pecans.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERFINGER-CARAMEL CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake according to package directions using a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• Poke holes in cake about 1-inch apart and 1-inch deep using handle of wooden spoon. Pour sweetened condensed milk over cake. Sprinkle with half of chopped Butterfinger. Pour caramel topping over Butterfinger.
• Spread whipped cream over cake; sprinkle with remaining chopped Butterfinger. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Refrigerate any uneaten cake.

SALTED-CARAMEL SIX-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter three 9-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Divide batter among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.
• Make the caramel: Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is dark amber, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat, and carefully pour in cream (mixture will spatter); stir until smooth. Return to heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour caramel into a medium bowl, stir in 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Whisk together cocoa and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl until cocoa dissolves. Beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and a generous pinch of coarse salt in a clean bowl with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and then cocoa mixture until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes before using.
• Trim tops of cakes using a serrated knife to create a level surface. Cut each in half horizontally to form 2 layers. Transfer 1 layer to a serving platter, and spread 3/4 cup caramel over top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat with remaining caramel and cake layers, leaving top uncovered. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
• Frost top and sides of cake in a swirling motion. Sprinkle with sea salt.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE WITH BUTTERSCOTCH FROSTING

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake according to package directions for two 9-in. round baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and cream. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium. Do not stir. Cook for 3-6 minutes or until bubbles form in center of mixture and color is amber brown. Remove from the heat; stir in pecans. Cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally., In a small bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate until thickened, about 20 minutes., Place one cake layer on a serving platter; spread with 3/4 cup pudding mixture. Top with remaining cake layer; spread remaining pudding mixture over top and sides of cake. , If necessary, reheat pecan mixture over low heat to achieve a spreading consistency. Spoon pecan mixture around edge of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL FLAN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 15-cup fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®) with cooking spray.
• Pour cajeta into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until smooth, 20 to 30 seconds. Pour into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Combine cake mix, water, 3 eggs, and vegetable oil in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and beat until batter is smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Pour cake batter over cajeta in the pan.
• Combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, 5 eggs, cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract in a blender; blend until smooth.
• Pour milk mixture slowly over cake batter.
• Wrap pan tightly with aluminum foil; place in a large baking dish. Pour enough water into the baking dish to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 2 hours. Remove pan from the baking dish; let cool for 15 minutes. Unwrap the aluminum foil; invert cake onto a large rimmed plate. Let cake cool completely, about 30 minutes. Chill before serving.

CARAMEL-PECAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan, heat the caramels, milk and butter over low heat until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring frequently; set aside., In a large bowl, combine chocolate and oil. Beat in the water, applesauce, egg whites, egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, sugar blend, baking soda and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture until blended. , Pour half of the batter into a 13x9-in. baking pan well coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 14-18 minutes or until center is set. Spread caramel mixture evenly over cake; top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with pecans. , Bake 18-23 minutes longer or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the top layer comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CARAMEL-COCONUT-ALMOND FILLING

Steps:

• For Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with waxed paper. Butter waxed paper. Combine chocolate, 1 cup water and espresso powder in heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• Using electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate mixture and vanilla and beat until blended. Sift four, baking soda, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture alternately with sour cream in 3 additions, beginning with dry ingredients and beating well after each addition.
• Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto racks. Remove waxed paper; cool completely.
• For filling:
• Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Place pan over medium low heat and stir until caramel bits melt, about 5 minutes. Stir in coconut and 1 cup almonds. Cool filling until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
• For Frosting:
• Melt butter and chocolate in heavy small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in vanilla. Whisk in 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup sour cream. Whisk in remaining powdered sugar and sour cream.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread half of filling evenly over top, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with second cake layer. Spread with remaining filling, leaving 1/2-inch boarder. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over sides and top of cake. Press 2 cups sliced almonds onto sides of cake. Using pastry spatula, swirl frosting on top of cake decoratively. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; store at room temperature.)

EXTRA DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
• Combine cocoa powder and chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour boiling hot coffee over top and whisk until chocolate chips have melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
• Combine sugar, butter, and vegetable oil in a separate bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the cocoa mixture, beating batter briefly after each addition. Spread 1/3 of the batter into each prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges of each pan to loosen. Invert one layer carefully onto a serving plate and invert the remaining layers onto a cooling rack. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine sugar and salt for the caramel sauce in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until liquefied. Just after mixture begins to smoke, slowly add half-and-half, stirring constantly, until fully incorporated. (Be careful as the addition of cold liquid makes the molten sugar foam up.) Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Pour 1/2 of the caramel sauce on top of the bottom layer of the cooled cake. Add the second layer of cake, top with remaining caramel sauce, and add the final layer of cake. Dust lightly with powdered sugar.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CAKE WITH ORANGE CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Put a small roasting pan filled halfway with hot water in bottom third of oven (to provide moisture during baking), then preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper.
• Melt butter and chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, then remove from heat. Beat together yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thick and pale, and ribbons form when beater is lifted, about 6 minutes. Beat whites at medium speed with cleaned beaters in another large bowl until they just hold soft peaks. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir warm chocolate mixture into yolk mixture until combined well. Stir one fourth of egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly.
• Pour batter into springform pan and bake in middle of oven (do not place springform pan in pan of hot water) until a tester inserted in center comes out with crumbs adhering, about 1 hour (a crust will form and crack on top of cake as it bakes). Transfer to a rack and cool 10 minutes (cake will "deflate" as it cools). Run a thin knife carefully around edge of cake, then remove side of pan. Cool cake on bottom of pan 30 minutes, then invert onto another rack or plate. Remove bottom of pan, then carefully peel off parchment. Invert cake onto a serving plate.
• Make sauce while cake bakes:
• Remove zest from 2 oranges and trim any white pith from zest. Cut zest into enough very thin strips to measure 1/4 cup. Squeeze juice from 3 oranges and strain through a fine sieve. Measure out 1 cup juice.
• Cook remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a dry heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel. Add zest and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Tilt pan and carefully pour in juice (caramel will harden and steam vigorously). Cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved, then cool sauce.
• Serve cake with orange sauce.

JAM CAKE WITH CARAMEL CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 325°F.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt, then whisk the mixture to ensure that the ingredients are well distributed.
• In a small bowl, stir together the jam and the buttermilk.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. As you make the batter, stop the mixer frequently and scrape the paddle and the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Blend in the eggs one at a time, adding the next one as soon as the previous one has disappeared into the batter. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture in two parts, beginning and ending with the flour. After each addition, mix until just barely blended and stop and scrape the bowl. Stop the mixer before the last of the flour has been incorporated and complete the blending by hand with a rubber spatula to ensure you do not overbeat the batter.
• Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans (there will be approximately 1 pound 4 ounces per pan) and smooth the tops. Bake in the middle of the oven until the centers are just barely firm when lightly touched, 32 to 34 minutes. Cool the cakes on a wire rack for 30 minutes before removing them from their pans. Once removed, continue to cool the cakes on the rack, top side up, until they reach room temperature. Leave the parchment paper on until you assemble the cake.
• To assemble the cake, place one of the layers, top side up, on a flat plate or a cake board. Using a thin metal spatula, spread a thin layer of caramel ganache (a bit more than 1/2 cup) on top of the cake and out to the edges of the cake. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of almonds evenly over the ganache. Align the next cake layer, top side up, on top of the first one, and repeat with another thin layer of ganache and almonds. Place the final layer of cake on top of the cake. Frost the top heavily and the sides lightly with the remainder of the ganache. Lightly press the remaining toasted almonds on the sides of cake.
• This cake is best stored and served at room temperature. In an airtight container, it keeps for up to 5 days.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Line bottom with waxed paper. Stir butter and chocolate in heavy large saucepan over low heat until melted. Mix sugar and cocoa in large bowl. Add eggs; whisk until well blended. Whisk in chocolate-butter mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack. Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For caramel sauce:
• Stir sugar, water, and lemon juice in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Add in cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Return to low heat; stir until any bits of caramel dissolve. Add butter; whisk until smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Cut cake into wedges. If desired, arrange wedges on baking sheet and rewarm in 350°F oven 10 minutes. Rewarm caramel sauce over medium-low heat, stirring often. Place 1 cake wedge on each plate. Drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Serve with ice cream.

ONE-BOWL MILK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Bake the cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13x9" pan and dust with 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, tapping out excess.
• Melt remaining 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add chocolate and remaining 1/2 cup cocoa powder; cook, whisking constantly, until smooth. Let cool slightly.
• Whisk eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Add sugar and whisk until smooth, lightened in color, and slightly aerated, about 2 minutes. Stream in buttermilk while whisking, then stream in chocolate mixture while whisking until smooth.
• Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into chocolate mixture. Whisk until batter is mostly smooth (there will be a few small lumps). Transfer to prepared pan.
• Bake cake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool completely.
• Make the frosting:
• Slice 2 oz. chocolate into long, thin shards; reserve for decorating. Coarsely chop remaining 7 oz. chocolate and transfer to a medium bowl. Add vanilla and salt.
• Heat cream in a small pot over medium until just starting to simmer. Pour over chocolate mixture and let sit 3 minutes. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth. Whisk in dulce de leche. Chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Whisk frosting to lighten and loosen, then use a spatula to spread over cake. If it's too stiff to work with, let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate shards. Cut into thirds lengthwise, then into fifths crosswise (you should have 15 pieces).
• Do Ahead
• Cake can be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE CARAMEL LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Place the flour, cocoa and sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter, water, egg and extra yolks and process until a smooth dough forms. Turn out the dough and bring it together on a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a very thin rectangle and trim to 10cm x 35cm. Prick each layer all over with a fork and place on the trays. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just crisp. Transfer to wire racks and allow to cool at room temperature until crisp.
• To make the chocolate caramel filling, place the sugar and water in a medium saucepan (see note) over medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until deep golden in colour. Remove from the heat and, working quickly, add the cream in a thin steady stream. Add the butter, return to the heat and cook, stirring, until well combined. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl, pour the caramel mixture over and stir until melted and smooth. Refrigerate until just cold, whisking occasionally. Once cooled, whisk for 1-2 minutes or until creamy and smooth.
• To assemble, place 1 of the pastry layers on a cake stand or plate. Spread evenly with 1/3 cup (80ml) of the chocolate caramel filling. Repeat with the remaining pastry and filling, finishing with a pastry layer. Refrigerate the cake for 1-2 hours or until set. Slice to serve.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL-NUT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for fluted tube, dark or nonstick pan). Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, butter and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into pan.
• Bake 46 to 54 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan. Remove from pan to plate. Cool 10 minutes. Prick top of warm cake several times with fork; spread caramel topping over top of cake. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Store covered.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet, and line with parchment paper. Butter lining. Dust bottom and sides with flour; tap out excess.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk together chocolate, coffee, and boiling water in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add sour cream; beat until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture.
• Whisk chocolate mixture again; add to batter. Beat until smooth.
• Pour batter into prepared sheet. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely in sheet on a wire rack.
• Invert cake onto a rimless baking sheet; peel off parchment. Halve widthwise. Spread half of buttercream on top of one layer. Top frosted layer with second cake layer; coat cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate 1 hour. Cut into 12 squares; garnish each serving with a caramelized cobweb.

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.

CARAMEL-FUDGE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Immediately poke holes in the cake with a meat fork or skewer. Spread caramel and fudge toppings over cake. Cool on a wire rack., Frost with whipped topping. Sprinkle with toffee bits and remaining chocolate chips. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE LIZZIE CAKE WITH CARAMEL FILLING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour four 8-inch round cake pans.
• Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk until smooth.
• Place unsweetened chocolate in a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate, and stir until melted. Mix chocolate, vanilla, and lemon juice into the buttermilk batter. Divide batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
• Caramel Filling: Mix the butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, superfine sugar, and milk in a heavy saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil, and cook until temperature reaches 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove saucepan from heat, and set in a large bowl filled with ice water. Beat filling with an electric mixer until spreadable. At first this seems to be just hot, hard work, but the filling will suddenly start to thicken as it begins to cool. Transfer filling to a clean bowl, and it will continue to cool as you frost the top of each cake layer. Stack the frosted layers atop each other.