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But it was far from plain-sailing for a Liverpool side that has won the competition a record seven times, the last coming in 2003 after beating Manchester United in the final.
Captain Steven Gerrard struck a dramatic 66th-minute winner to finally end the Bluebirds' brave resistance.
The England man surged into the penalty area to latch on to Yossi Benayoun's pass and fired the ball through Michael Oakes' legs to register his fourth goal of the season.
Earlier Dave Jones' side had started brightly and Fowler had the first chance of the match in the fourth minute when his 20-yard free-kick forced Charles Itandje to make a smart save.
When Liverpool hit back Ryan Babel fired over from just inside the area after being set up by Peter Crouch before the lanky England man shot just wide of the near post.
As the Reds began to dominate, Fabio Aurelio forced Oakes to make a good stop before Alvaro Arbeloa crossed for Lucas Leiva to head over the bar.
Just before half-time, Itandje did well to keep out Paul Parry's header before Sebastian Leto drilled a shot high and wide.
Liverpool finally broke the deadlock three minutes after the break when Moroccan Nabil El Zhar scored his first goal for the club.
After being set up by the influential Gerrard he fired a superb 25-yard shot past Oakes and into the back of the net.
Cardiff refused to give up though, and after Joe Ledley and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had gone close to finding the net, Darren Purse headed a 65th-minute equaliser.
However, almost immediately, Benayoun broke down the left and cut the ball back for the outstanding Gerrard to grab the winner and seal the Reds' place in the last eight of the competition.
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