Step 1 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Step 2 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Grease an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper or dust with flour, shaking out any excess. Set aside.
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Step 3 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Place the butter in a 1 qt. glass measuring cup and microwave on high until melted, about 1 minute. Transfer 1/2 cup to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
PRO TIP Homemade caramel sauce takes just a few minutes to make and tastes amazing, but you can substitute store-bought caramel sauce if you like.
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Step 4 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Add the cream and brown sugar to the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter and whisk to combine. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Whisk well, then microwave again until the caramel thickens slightly and is bubbly, 1-1 1/2 minutes.
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Step 5 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Whisk in the salt, set sauce aside, and let cool to room temperature.
PRO TIP In a hurry? Set caramel sauce in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling.
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Step 6 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Add the sugar and vanilla to the mixing bowl with the reserved melted butter and whisk until blended and smooth. Add the egg and yolks, whisking after each. Add the cream and 1/2 cup of reserved caramel sauce and whisk until blended.
PRO TIP You can substitute buttermilk or milk for cream in the cake—and you can use your dry measuring cup to measure it, since your liquid one has caramel in it. Leave extra caramel in the large measuring cup, as you'll be reheating it in the microwave when you make the glaze.
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Step 7 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Set a sheet of parchment paper on a work surface and sift the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt onto it using a fine strainer. (If you don't have parchment, sift the dry ingredients directly into the mixing bowl with the wet ingredients.)
PRO TIP Out of cake flour? You can use more all-purpose, though the cake won't have quite as light a crumb.
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Step 8 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Use the paper to pour the dry ingredients into the wet in three additions, gently folding in after each. Thoroughly scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
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Step 9 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Bake the cake on middle rack of oven for 20 minutes.
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Step 10 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Rotate the pan and continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a moist crumb or two, about 25 minutes.
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Step 11 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Check to see that cake is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
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Step 12 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Let the cake stand until cool enough to handle, then invert onto a cooling rack. Remove the pan, and let cake cool completely.
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Step 13 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Once the cake has cooled completely, microwave the remaining caramel sauce on high until warm, 1-2 minutes.
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Step 14 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Sift the powdered sugar through a fine strainer over the caramel sauce and add the vanilla. Whisk to combine.
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Step 15 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Set the cooling rack with the cake on a baking sheet. Pour the glaze over the cake and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with the flaky sea salt. Let stand until glaze sets up, about 15 minutes.
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Step 16 of 16
One-Bowl Caramel Snack Cake with Caramel Glaze
Cut the cake into slices and serve. Store leftovers in a large airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.