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–+ servings
caramel cake

Caramel Sponge Cake with Dulce de Leche Cream and Walnuts ( 2 hours cake recipe)

5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling & assembly 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 1 8" cake
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: european
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Caramel Sponge Cake (8-inch / 20 cm pan)
  • 6 medium eggs separated
  • 7 oz granulated sugar
  • 7 oz all-purpose flour
  • 3.1 oz caramel sauce
  • 3.1 neutral oil (olive oil)
  • 3 Tbsp cold water
  • 2 tsp baking powder
Dulce de Leche Cream
  • 1 quart heavy whipping cream 33–35%, very cold
  • 1 can can dulce de leche 13–14 oz / 380–400 g, thick
Soaking Syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp caramel sauce or dulce de leche
  • For a sweeter cake simply add more caramel or dulce de leche to the syrup.
Add-ins & Decoration
  • 1½-2 cups chopped walnuts

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
    Make the Sponge Cake
    1. First, preheat the oven to 330°F (165°C) on Bake. Line the bottom of an 8-inch pan with parchment paper.
    2. Next, beat the egg whites slightly add sugar until glossy and fluffy. The peaks should be soft but stable.
    3. Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks with the caramel sauce until smooth and creamy.
    4. Then, add the oil and cold water to the yolk mixture and mix until fully combined.
    5. After that, whisk the flour and baking powder together. Add the dry ingredients to the yolk mixture and mix until smooth.
    6. Add the dry ingredients to the yolk mixture
    7. Now, combine the whipped egg whites with the yolk batter. You can fold by hand or mix briefly on low speed. Work gently and do not overmix.
    8. Finally, pour the batter into the pan with parchment paper.
    9. Bake for 25-30 minutes on Bake.
    10. If your oven allows, switch to Convection at the same temperature for the 25-30 minutes more minutes to finish baking evenly, or continue stay on Bake mode.
    11. TOTAL 50-60 minutes in the oven.
    12. Cool the cake completely, before remove from the pan.
    Make the Dulce de Leche Cream
    1. First, add the cold heavy cream and dulce de leche to the mixing bowl at the same time.
    2. Then, start mixing on low speed until smooth.
    3. Next, gradually increase the speed and whip until firm, smooth peaks form.
    4. The cream should stay light, stable, and easy to pipe.
    Prepare the Soaking Syrup
    1. First, mix the water with caramel sauce or dulce de leche until smooth.
    2. Then, taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
    3. This step keeps the cake extra moist and tender.
    Assemble the Cake
    1. First, slice the chilled sponge into 3 even layers.
    2. Next, place the first layer on a serving plate or cake board and brush generously with soaking syrup.
    3. Then, spread cream on top ( in about 1/2 inch tall) and sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly.
    4. After that, repeat with the second layer, syrup, cream, and walnuts.
    5. Finally, place the last layer on top, soak lightly, frost the cake, and decorate with remaining walnuts.
    6. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving.
    Finishing the cake
    1. You can crumb coat the cake with cake scraper right away, using the same cream you used for the filling, applying a thin.
    2. Alternatively (and this is recommended for best results), wrap the assembled cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight.
    3. Once chilled, apply a thin final layer of cream for a smoother finish. (See the video for detailed steps.)
    4. For decoration, pipe simple swirls on top using the same cream and finish with a sprinkle of chopped nuts.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead Tip (Very Important)

    If you don’t need the cake urgently, this method works best
    • Wrap the baked sponge tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight
    • Transfer the cream to a piping bag, seal it completely airtight, and refrigerate
    This keeps the cream thick and stable, not watery.
    The next day, you can easily assemble and decorate the cake with perfect results.

    Storage Tips

    • Store the finished cake in a cake box in the refrigerator
    • This prevents the cream from drying out
    • The cake keeps well for up to 3 days

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve chilled with coffee or tea.
    Because this cake is soft, moist, and stable, it works beautifully for upper tiers of wedding cakes.
    If the cake is well soaked, it can be served just 1 hour after assembly. No one will ever guess it was made so quickly.

    Final Note

    This is a true signature cake, soft, juicy, and dependable.
    Once you make it, you’ll come back to it for years.

    Tried this recipe?

    Let us know how it was!