Over-the-Top Chocolate Cake

Directions

1. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside.
2. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, salt and remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand until set, about 1 hour. Break into small pieces.
3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, water, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Transfer to three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.
4. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
5. In a large bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. In a another bowl, beat cheeses until smooth; add the chocolate, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream and 1/2 cup dulce de leche.
6. Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 2 cups frosting and sprinkle with 1/4 cup toffee. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
7. Drop remaining dulce de leche by teaspoonfuls over top of cake; cut through frosting with a knife to swirl. Press remaining toffee into top and sides of cake. Refrigerate leftovers.