Gorgeous Candy Bar Cake

INGREDIENTS:

CARAMEL SYRUP

Note: you will not use up the entire recipe

• 2 cups (14 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water, plus 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

CARAMEL CINNAMON CAKE

• 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 10 tablespoons (5 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Caramel Syrup
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

BROWN BUTTER CARAMEL ICING

• 12 tablespoons (6 ounces/1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 4 cups (1 pound) confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons dark rum
• 4 tablespoons caramel syrup

ASSEMBLY

• Brown Butter Caramel Icing (recipe to follow)
• 2 cups pecans, toasted and chopped
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut, toasted
•  Caramel discs (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

CARAMEL SYRUP

1. Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in a stainless steel saucepan, stir until mixture feels like wet sand. Set pan over medium heat and cook until amber color, about 20 minutes. Brush down side of pan with wet pastry brush if necessary to prevent crystallization.

2. Remove pan from heat, slowly pour in one cup of water, caramel will sputter. Stir until the sputtering subsides, add salt and stir to combine. Pour in heat proof bowl and let cool completely.

CARAMEL CINNAMON CAKE

1. Set oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350℉. Butter two 6-by-2-inch round cake pans and set aside.

2.Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl, set aside.

3. In a stand mixer, using a paddle attachment cream butter and sugars on medium high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

4. On medium-low speed, slowly pour room temperature caramel syrup into bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition Add vanilla until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

5. With mixer running on low speed, add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with coconut milk (in 2 additions), beginning and ending with dry ingredients, and beating in each addition until barely combined. Remove bowl from stand mixer.

6. Fold in pecans by hand with rubber spatula, scraping bottom and sides of bowl.

7. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans; spread batter to edges of pans with rubber spatula and smooth surfaces.

8. Place cake pan on 1/2 sheet pan. Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes, rotate sheet pan half way through. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto wire rack. Cool cakes completely, about 1 hour.

BROWN BUTTER CARAMEL ICING

1. Add butter to a saucepan over medium heat and cook until brown, about 8-10 minutes (Keep a close eye, butter goes from brown to black quickly). Pour through a fine meshed sieve into a the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add sea salt and stir to combine. Set aside to cool.

2. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add confectioner’s sugar to the cool butter, a little at a time. When mixture looks too chunky to take any more, add a bit of cream and or caramel syrup. Repeat until mixture looks smooth and all confectioner’s sugar has been incorporated. Add salt to taste.

ASSEMBLY

1. Trim each cake horizontally to level off the surface. Place one cake layer on serving platter or cardboard round. Spread 3/4 cup icing over cake layer evenly and top with 2nd layer (upside down). Spread remaining icing evenly over top and sides of cake.

2. Sprinkle toasted pecans evenly on the side of cake, pressing lightly to adhere. Sprinkle unsweetened coconut on top. Decorated with caramel discs.

Source & Pictures: http://hungryrabbit.com