Go Back

Vanilla and Chocolate Mousse Cake w sea salt caramel

This indulgent layered cake features rich chocolate cake brushed with salted caramel, filled with a light and creamy vanilla mousse and topped with a silky chocolate ganache. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt brings everything together, the perfect balance of deep chocolate, smooth vanilla, and sweet-salty caramel!
Print It! Pin It!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 cup hot coffee

Vanilla Mousse

  • 6 oz cream cheese
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp milk powder
  • 1 tbsp vanilla

Ganache

  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Caramel

Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions
 

Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, and milk until smooth. Whisk in the sugar. Beat in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in the hot coffee and whisk until combined and there are no streaks of flour remaining.
  • Divide batter evenly between both pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and set on a wire rack, allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove from pans and set on a cooling rack.

Vanilla mousse:

  • In a large bowl, whip together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add in heavy cream, milk powder, and vanilla, mixing to combine. Whip until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

Ganache:

  • Microwave the chocolate for 15-30 seconds until soft and then whisk in the heavy cream until smooth.

Assemble:

  • I assembled mine in a springform pan with parchment paper lining the sides so I can press the second cake layer and get the mousse even.
  • Use a serrated knife to level your cakes and then brush the first cake base with caramel and a light sprinkling of sea salt. Top with all of the vanilla mousse and spread it out evenly. Follow with the second layer of cake, chocolate ganache, and a sprinkle of sea salt.