CARAMEL-PECAN MOCHA LAYER CAKE

Caramel-Pecan Mocha Layer Cake image

My version of a prize-winning chocolate cake is irresistible, especially when the rich caramel sauce oozes down the sides. -Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/3 cup hot water
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FILLING AND TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup hot caramel or butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping, room temperature, divided
2/3 cup toasted chopped pecans, divided
Bittersweet chocolate curls

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line the bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper. In a small bowl, dissolve coffee granules in hot water; cool completely., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla, then cooled coffee. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. , Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., In a bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form., Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 1/3 cup caramel topping; sprinkle with 1/3 cup pecans. Spread with half of the whipped cream. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread with the remaining caramel topping and whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining pecans; top with chocolate curls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 596 calories, Fat 33g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 122mg cholesterol, Sodium 346mg sodium, Carbohydrate 73g carbohydrate (51g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.