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5.0 from 12 votes

Dulce de Leche Cake

Not only is our Dulce de Leche Cake recipe beautiful, it's a knock-out in flavor, with layers of moist dulce de leche cake and buttercream frosting and pure dulce de leche between layers, too.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 16
Calories: 463 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Spanish , Mexican

Ingredients

Dulce de Leche Cake:
  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter (151g), room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 3 large eggs , room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2/3 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup whole milk (187g), at room temperature
  • 1 oz can dulce de leche* , DIVIDED (half in cake, half in between layers when frosting)
  • 2 Tablespoons sour cream
Dulce de Leche Buttercream:
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (340g), slightly cold
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g)
  • 1 oz can dulce de leche* , divided (half in frosting, half reserved as topping for the cake).
  • Flake salt , optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper rounds and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  2. Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl with electric beaters, or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and the sugar. Cream together for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and then eggs, mixing in one at a time, until combined.
  3. With the mixer on, add sour cream, and slowly add ½ of the can of dulce de leche, mixing until batter becomes lighter in color.
  4. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry mixture and the milk, starting and ending with the dry mixture.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into prepared cake pans and bake for about 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). Do NOT over bake or the cake will be dry. Allow to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto wire cooling racks to cool completely.
  6. Dulce de Leche Buttercream Frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, powdered sugar and ½ can of dulce de leche and beat for several minutes, until very fluffy and smooth. Add a little milk, if needed, to thin the frosting.
  7. Assemble: Place one cake round serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top. Add 1/2 of the second can of dulce de leche to a small bowl and microwave for a just a few seconds, to soften it a little. Spread it on top of the cake, leaving a 1 inch border. Place the second cake round on top. Pipe a line of frosting into the crack between the two layers of cake. Frost cake completely with a very thin layer of frosting—the crumb coat. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or freezer for 10 minutes. Remove and then add another layer of frosting over the crumb coat.
  8. Warm the remaining 1/2 can of dulce de leche in a small bowl in the microwave for a just a few seconds to soften. Smooth dulce de leche over the top of the cake, leaving a 1-inch board. Pipe decorative frosting swirls around the outer top edge of the cake.
  9. Sprinkle a pinch of flake salt on top of the cake, if desired.

Notes

  • Makes a 2 layer (8inch) cake.
  • Dulce de Leche: The recipe uses two 14 oz cans of dulce de leche. I recommend the La Lechera brand. You will use half a can in the cake batter and half a can in the frosting. Half a can in between two cake layers when frosting, and remaining half can on top of the cake at the end. To make your own dulce de leche, use a can of sweet and condensed milk. Remove the wrappers. Place cans upside down in a large pot and add enough water to submerge them by about two inches. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook for 1 hour. Flip can. Make sure water level is still above the lid, and simmer for another hour. 
  • Dulce de Leche: The recipe uses two 14 oz cans of dulce de leche. I recommend the La Lechera brand. You will use half a can in the cake batter and half a can in the frosting. Half a can in between two cake layers when frosting, and remaining half can on top of the cake at the end. To make your own dulce de leche, use a can of sweet and condensed milk. Remove the wrappers. Place cans upside down in a large pot and add enough water to submerge them by about two inches. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook for 1 hour. Flip can. Make sure water level is still above the lid, and simmer for another hour. 
  • Decorating: I have two favorite tips for piping swirls on a cake: Wilton 1M and Wilton 2D and this large 14'' ateco piping bag. 
  • Make Ahead Instructions: The dulce de leche frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before using.
  • Freezing Instructions: The cakes and frosting can be frozen. Allow the cakes to cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to one month. Frost cakes when they are still frozen. Freeze frosting in an airtight container for up to three months.

Nutrition Information

Calories 463kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 98mg (33%) Sodium 171mg (7%) Potassium 57mg (2%) Fiber 0.4g (2%) Sugar 43g (86%) Vitamin A 832IU (17%) Calcium 60mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 463

% Daily Value*

Calories 463kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 171mg 7%
Potassium 57mg 1%
Fiber 0.4g 2%
Sugar 43g 86%
Vitamin A 832IU 17%
Calcium 60mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.