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Caramel Crumble Crunch Cake – The Ultimate Dessert Dream!

A slice of Caramel Crumble Cake with layers of moist caramel sponge, creamy frosting, and a golden Cake Crunch Layer on top — the ultimate Caramel Nut Cake Recipe for fans of Unique Layer Cakes and Carmel Crunch Cake Recipe desserts.

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Ready to blow everyone’s taste buds away? This Caramel Crumble Crunch Cake is pure gold — soft, buttery layers of cake hugged by silky caramel frosting and crowned with a crispy, toffee-like caramel crunch. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people stop mid-bite, look at you, and say, “Wait—did you really make this?”

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or those “I just need something amazing” days, this recipe delivers bakery-level flavor with totally doable steps. Let’s get into it — you’ll want this masterpiece cooling on your counter ASAP.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Caramel Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 34 cups powdered sugar, sifted

For the Caramel Crunch Topping:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup sliced almonds or pecans (optional but highly recommended for extra crunch!)

Instructions

  • 👩‍🍳 How to Make the Cake
    1. Preheat and prep: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans — or line them with parchment if you prefer easy cleanup.
    2. Whip up that batter: In a large bowl, cream together your softened butter and sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and irresistible. Add the eggs one by one, then stir in that vanilla goodness.
    3. Mix the dry stuff: In a separate bowl, whisk your flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this mix into the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk until the batter looks smooth and dreamy.
    4. Bake to golden perfection: Divide the batter evenly between the pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    5. Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
  • 🍯 Make the Caramel Frosting
    1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
    2. Stir in the brown sugar, cream, and salt. Bring it to a gentle boil while stirring constantly.
    3. Let it simmer for about 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
    4. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and let it cool for 10 minutes.
    5. Once cooled, beat in the powdered sugar a little at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
    6. Pro Tip: Too thick? Add a splash of cream. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar. Boom—perfect frosting.
  • 🍬 Make the Caramel Crunch Topping
    1. Combine sugar and water in a clean saucepan over medium-high heat.
    2. Do not stir — just swirl gently as the sugar melts and turns into a deep amber color (about 5–7 minutes).
    3. Once it reaches that gorgeous golden hue, remove from heat and quickly toss in the nuts if you’re using them.
    4. Pour the caramel onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it thinly.
    5. Let it cool completely, then break it into crunchy shards of sweet, buttery heaven.
  • 🎂 Assemble Your Dessert Masterpiece
    1. Place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand.
    2. Slather a generous layer of caramel frosting over the top.
    3. Add the second cake layer and coat the entire thing with the rest of the frosting.
    4. Press your caramel crunch pieces around the sides and top, giving your cake that signature sparkle and texture.
    5. Step back, admire your work, and then—slice it up and dig in!

Notes

Room temp ingredients are your best friend — they blend better and make a smoother batter.

 

Don’t rush the cooling time. Warm cakes + frosting = a slippery, sad mess.

 

Use a cake leveler or a long serrated knife to even out your layers for that pro finish.

 

Double the frosting if you love extra-thick layers (no judgment here).

 

Store-bought caramel? Totally fine in a pinch, but homemade gives that deep, buttery flavor you just can’t fake.