• Preheat the oven to 325° and generously butter (2) 9 inch round cake pans and then lightly dust with flour. Cut parchment paper to fit and place in the bottom of the pans. Set aside.

Chocolate Espresso Cake

• Using a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together, set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixture until creamy then add brown sugar and beat for approximately 2 minutes until mixture is blended and smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time beating well between additions then add vanilla.
• Add flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, and beating just until blended after each addition.
• Heat water in the microwave for 60 seconds, add instant espresso, stir until dissolved.
• Gradually add hot espresso mixture into cake batter until smooth.
• Pour batter equally into both cake pans and place on the center rack in a preheated 325° oven.
• Bake until the toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cool on the rack for 15 minutes then run a knife along the edge to loosen up the cake.
• Invert cake on rack, remove parchment paper then invert cakes upright to cool completely.

Caramel Filling

• In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
• Stir brown sugar and milk into the pan, stir.
• Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly (which will be approximately 10-14 minutes total or until caramel sauce has thickened up a bit).
• Remove from heat, add vanilla. Stir.
• Let caramel cool for about 10 minutes.
• *Will be reserving about ¾ cup of the caramel filling to add to the buttercream frosting.

Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting

• Beat the butter until it is light and creamy. Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
• Add the salt and powdered sugar. Beat until well blended.
• Next, add the caramel sauce once it has cooled completely. Beat until well combined.

Assembling the Cake

• Spread the caramel filling over the bottom cake layer.
• Add the top cake layer and frost with the salted buttercream frosting.
• Optional: top with pieces of soft caramel, if desired, then enjoy!