Soft, moist cake layers with a rich caramel flavor
Creamy dulce de leche filling and frosting
Perfect for celebrations and special occasions
Beautiful layered presentation
Simple ingredients with impressive results
Delicious with coffee or tea
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
all-purpose flour granulated sugar unsalted butter, softened eggs milk vanilla extract baking powder salt dulce de leche heavy cream powdered sugar
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two round cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
In a bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, then gently fold in some dulce de leche to create a light frosting.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of dulce de leche over the top.
Place the second cake layer on top and frost the cake with the whipped dulce de leche mixture.
Drizzle extra dulce de leche over the top for decoration if desired.
Servings and timing
Servings: 10–12 slices
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 25–30 minutes Cooling and assembly time: 30 minutes Total time: about 1 hour 20 minutes
Variations
Chocolate Dulce de Leche Cake Add cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolate cake base.
Nutty Dulce de Leche Cake Add chopped walnuts or pecans between the cake layers for extra texture.
Coffee Dulce de Leche Cake Mix a small amount of espresso powder into the batter to enhance the caramel flavor.
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Use the same batter to make cupcakes and fill the centers with dulce de leche.
Coconut Dulce de Leche Cake Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical twist.
Storage/Reheating
Storage Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped and frozen for up to 2 months.
Reheating Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
FAQs
What is dulce de leche?
Dulce de leche is a thick, caramel-like sauce made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it becomes rich and creamy.
Can I use store-bought dulce de leche?
Yes, store-bought dulce de leche works perfectly and saves time.
Can I make dulce de leche at home?
Yes, it can be made by slowly cooking sweetened condensed milk until it thickens and caramelizes.
Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking or adding too much flour can cause dryness.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, the cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Can I use a different frosting?
Yes, buttercream or cream cheese frosting also pairs well with dulce de leche.
How do I make the frosting thicker?
Add more powdered sugar or chill the frosting slightly before spreading.
Can I turn this into a layered celebration cake?
Yes, you can bake additional layers and add more dulce de leche between them.
What toppings work well with this cake?
Chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or caramel drizzle make great toppings.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
Conclusion
Dulce de Leche Cake is a deliciously rich dessert that combines soft cake layers with creamy caramel sweetness. Its elegant presentation and indulgent flavor make it perfect for celebrations or whenever you want a special homemade treat. Once you try it, this caramel-filled cake is sure to become a favorite for dessert lovers.
This Dulce de Leche Cake recipe is a rich, moist layered dessert filled and frosted with creamy dulce de leche frosting. Soft vanilla cake layers paired with sweet caramelized milk create a luxurious and indulgent cake perfect for birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups dulce de leche
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two round cake pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until the batter is smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
In a bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
Gently fold in some dulce de leche to create a light caramel frosting.
Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of dulce de leche on top.
Add the second cake layer and frost the cake with the whipped dulce de leche frosting.
Drizzle extra dulce de leche on top for decoration if desired.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.Store-bought dulce de leche works perfectly and saves time.Do not overbake the cake to keep it moist and tender.Chill the frosting slightly if it becomes too soft while decorating.
