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Cafe Latte Turtle Cake for Two Recipe

4.5 from 127 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 23 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