🎉 Introduction
Few desserts are as enchanting as a two-in-one treat — and this Caramel Pudding and Soft Cake delivers exactly that. The bottom layer is silky, melt-in-your-mouth caramel pudding, while the top transforms into a delicate sponge cake during baking. With every spoonful, you get a harmony of creamy custard and airy cake, balanced by the bittersweet depth of homemade caramel.
This dessert is perfect for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or simply as a special treat when you want something both comforting and impressive.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Saucepan (for caramel)
- Fine sieve (optional, for smooth pudding)
- 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan
- Baking dish (for water bath)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Oven
🛒 Ingredients
🥚 Fresh Produce:
- 4 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
🍋 Condiments:
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
🌾 Dry & Pantry:
- 32 g cake flour
- 85 g granulated sugar (for pudding and cake batter)
- 23 g sugar (for caramel)
🫒 Oils & Vinegars:
- 22 g vegetable oil
🥛 Dairy:
- 60 g heavy cream
- 268 g milk
💧 Liquids:
- 40 g water
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 – Make the Caramel
- In a saucepan, heat 23 g sugar with 40 g water over medium heat.
- Cook until sugar turns golden amber.
- Immediately pour caramel into the bottom of a greased cake pan, tilting to coat evenly. Set aside.
Step 2 – Prepare the Pudding Mixture
4. In a bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk, 40 g sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
5. Warm milk and heavy cream together until just steaming.
6. Slowly whisk warm milk mixture into eggs (tempering to avoid scrambling).
7. Stir in 1 tbsp vanilla extract.
8. Strain through a sieve into the caramel-coated pan for extra smoothness.
Step 3 – Prepare the Cake Batter
9. In another bowl, whisk 2 eggs with 45 g sugar until pale and fluffy.
10. Add 1 tbsp vanilla extract and vegetable oil, mixing gently.
11. Sift in cake flour and fold until combined.
Step 4 – Assemble & Bake
12. Gently pour cake batter over pudding mixture in the pan.
13. Place pan into a larger baking dish, then fill outer dish halfway with hot water (water bath).
14. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 45–55 minutes, until cake is set and springs back when touched.
Step 5 – Chill & Serve
15. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
16. To serve, run a knife around edges and invert onto a plate — caramel sauce will drizzle beautifully over the cake.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6–8
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Bake Time: 50 minutes
- Chill Time: 4+ hours
- Total Time: ~5 hours 30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store in fridge up to 3 days, covered.
- Best served cold.
- Do not freeze — texture will change.
🥄 Variations
- Coffee Version: Add 1 tsp espresso powder to caramel for depth.
- Coconut Twist: Swap half the milk for coconut milk.
- Chocolate Cake Layer: Mix 1 tbsp cocoa powder into cake flour.
- Mini Portions: Bake in ramekins instead of a single pan.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Why use a water bath?
It keeps pudding smooth and prevents cracks. - Can I skip the lemon juice?
It balances sweetness, but you can omit if desired. - What’s the difference between this and flan?
This has a sponge cake layer on top — flan is just custard. - Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it’s best when chilled overnight. - How do I know it’s done baking?
Cake should spring back, and pudding should be set but slightly jiggly. - Why did my caramel harden too much?
That’s normal — it will liquify again when dessert is inverted. - Can I use all milk instead of cream?
Yes, but cream gives a silkier pudding. - Do I need cake flour?
It creates a lighter sponge — but all-purpose works if sifted. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, bake in a larger dish and extend bake time slightly. - What if I don’t have a springform pan?
A regular cake pan works fine — just grease well.
🏁 Conclusion
This Caramel Pudding and Soft Cake is the perfect marriage of creamy custard and light sponge. With its gorgeous two-layer effect and caramel sauce drizzle, it’s an impressive yet approachable dessert that will wow guests and satisfy every sweet craving.
Caramel Pudding and Soft Cake – Creamy, Fluffy & Elegant
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a saucepan, heat 23 g sugar with 40 g water over medium heat.
- Cook until sugar turns golden amber.
- Immediately pour caramel into the bottom of a greased cake pan, tilting to coat evenly. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk, 40 g sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
- Warm milk and heavy cream together until just steaming.
- Slowly whisk warm milk mixture into eggs (tempering to avoid scrambling).
- Stir in 1 tbsp vanilla extract.
- Strain through a sieve into the caramel-coated pan for extra smoothness.
- In another bowl, whisk 2 eggs with 45 g sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add 1 tbsp vanilla extract and vegetable oil, mixing gently.
- Sift in cake flour and fold until combined.
- Gently pour cake batter over pudding mixture in the pan.
- Place pan into a larger baking dish, then fill outer dish halfway with hot water (water bath).
- Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 45–55 minutes, until cake is set and springs back when touched.
- Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- To serve, run a knife around edges and invert onto a plate — caramel sauce will drizzle beautifully over the cake.
Notes
It keeps pudding smooth and prevents cracks. Can I skip the lemon juice?
It balances sweetness, but you can omit if desired. What’s the difference between this and flan?
This has a sponge cake layer on top — flan is just custard. Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it’s best when chilled overnight. How do I know it’s done baking?
Cake should spring back, and pudding should be set but slightly jiggly. Why did my caramel harden too much?
That’s normal — it will liquify again when dessert is inverted. Can I use all milk instead of cream?
Yes, but cream gives a silkier pudding. Do I need cake flour?
It creates a lighter sponge — but all-purpose works if sifted. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, bake in a larger dish and extend bake time slightly. What if I don’t have a springform pan?
A regular cake pan works fine — just grease well. 🏁 Conclusion
This Caramel Pudding and Soft Cake is the perfect marriage of creamy custard and light sponge. With its gorgeous two-layer effect and caramel sauce drizzle, it’s an impressive yet approachable dessert that will wow guests and satisfy every sweet craving.
