Sea Salt Caramel Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F Beat salted butter with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating on low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
• Pour batter into 3 greased (with vegetable shortening) and floured 8-inch round cake pans. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Transfer from pans to wire racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Prepare the Caramel Frosting: Bring unsalted butter and both brown sugars to a boil in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium, whisking constantly. Whisk in heavy cream, and return to a boil. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into the bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. With mixer running on medium speed, gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt. Beat until thickened and spreadable, 8 to 10 minutes. (If it becomes too thick, beat in 1 to 2 teaspoons hot water.).
• Assemble the cake: Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top of cake with flaky sea salt.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8"-diameter cake pan. Line with a parchment round; butter parchment. Dust pan with flour.
• Pulse hazelnuts and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a food processor until finely ground; set aside 2 tablespoons nut mixture. Whisk baking powder, salt, 1 cup flour, and remaining nut mixture in a medium bowl.
• Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat 1/2 cup butter and remaining granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions. Reduce speed to low and mix in dry ingredients. Scrape batter into prepared pan, and sprinkle with reserved nut mixture and raw sugar.
• Bake until cake is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of cake comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool in pan before turning out.
• DO AHEAD: Cake can be baked 1 day ahead. Keep wrapped tightly at room temperature.
• Bring granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture turns a deep amber color, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and gradually add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in butter and salt.Let cool slightly before serving with cake.
• DO AHEAD: Caramel sauce can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.