Cafe Latte Turtle Cake for Two Recipe

Introduction

This Cafe Latte Turtle Cake for Two is a rich and indulgent dessert that combines coffee, chocolate, caramel, and toasted pecans in a small, shareable treat. Perfect for a cozy night in, this cake delivers layers of flavor with a luscious frosting and crunchy textures.

Ingredients

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2-3 tablespoons strong hot coffee (to loosen the batter and add flavor)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coffee
• Caramel
• Toasted or candied pecan pieces

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease four 8-ounce ramekins with cooking spray.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, vegetable oil, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), granulated sugar, flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of strong hot coffee to loosen the thick batter.
3. Step 3: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins, spreading it to cover the bottom. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then gently remove the cakes from the ramekins and let them cool for at least 20 minutes before frosting.
4. Step 4: To make the frosting, combine the milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. After boiling for 15-20 seconds, remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Whisk in 1 tablespoon coffee to thin and add shine. Let the frosting cool slightly so it’s not too runny.
5. Step 5: Assemble your cake by layering the cake bases with frosting, caramel, and pecans. For a textured crunch, chop pecans for the middle layer and arrange whole pecans on top in a circle. Use a spoon to spread frosting from the center outward to create a waterfall effect.
6. Step 6: Enjoy the cake warm or store it in the fridge for a day or two before serving. It’s delicious either way!

Tips & Variations

• Use full-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt for the moistest cake texture.
• Adjust the coffee amount to balance the flavor and batter consistency.
• For extra crunch, toast your own pecans lightly before adding.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to deepen the coffee flavor.
• If you prefer, make one 3-layer cake instead of two 2-layer cakes by stacking more layers with frosting, caramel, and nuts.

Storage

Store the assembled cake covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. To enjoy, you can serve it chilled or warm it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to soften the frosting and enhance the flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake without coffee?

Coffee adds a rich depth to the cake, but you can substitute brewed decaf coffee or strong black tea if you prefer to avoid caffeine.

What type of caramel works best for this recipe?

Soft, pourable caramel sauce works best for layering and drizzling. You can use store-bought caramel or homemade for the best flavor.

Cafe Latte Turtle Cake for Two Recipe

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This Cafe Latte Turtle Cake for Two is a decadent, coffee-flavored dessert featuring moist cocoa cake layers topped with a rich chocolate-coffee frosting, caramel drizzle, and toasted pecans. Perfectly portioned for two, this cake combines the deep flavors of coffee and chocolate with the satisfying crunch of pecans and the sweetness of caramel for an indulgent treat.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 small 2-layer cakes or 1 small 3-layer cake (serves 2-4) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2–3 tablespoons strong hot coffee

Frosting Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coffee (brewed)

Toppings

• Caramel sauce
• Toasted or candied pecan pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cakes.
2. Prepare the cake batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolk, vegetable oil, sour cream or Greek yogurt, granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until combined. Add 2-3 tablespoons of strong hot coffee to thin out the batter and enhance flavor. The batter should remain thick but pourable.
3. Grease ramekins and pour batter: Generously grease four 8-ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Divide the batter evenly among the ramekins, spreading it to cover the bottom evenly.
4. Bake the cakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Carefully remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the ramekins for several minutes before gently removing them onto a wire rack. Cool at least 20 minutes before frosting.
5. Make the frosting: In a small saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and butter. Heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 15-20 seconds to dissolve sugar and melt butter, then remove from heat. Add the chocolate chips and whisk until smooth and fully melted. Stir in 1 tablespoon brewed coffee to enhance flavor and thin the frosting slightly. Let the frosting cool for a few minutes to thicken slightly but remain spreadable.
6. Assemble the cake: You can either make one 3-layer cake or two 2-layer cakes. Place a cake layer on a plate, spreading frosting over the top, then sprinkle chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce before adding the next cake layer. Repeat with frosting, pecans, and caramel on the top. For a decorative finish, use whole pecans arranged in a circle on the top layer. Gradually work frosting from the center outwards to create a waterfall effect.
7. Serve and store: Enjoy the cake warm for the best taste, or refrigerate and eat within 1-2 days for a delightful chilled dessert.

Notes

• You can substitute sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
• The strong hot coffee is essential for flavor and moisture; espresso works great as well.
• Use ramekins or small cake pans of similar size for even baking.
• Do not overbake to keep the cake moist and tender.
• Allow frosting to cool sufficiently to prevent melting the cake layers.
• Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• For vegan or dairy-free versions, substitute appropriate dairy alternatives and egg replacers.

Keywords: latte cake, turtle cake, coffee chocolate cake, small batch dessert, cake for two, caramel pecan cake