Description
Caramel cake brings Southern charm straight to your dessert table with rich, golden layers of sweet nostalgia. Buttery crumb and silky caramel frosting create an irresistible masterpiece you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip sugar and butter until they transform into a light, airy mixture.
- Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure smooth integration.
- Separately, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt through a gentle whisking process.
- Methodically blend dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk and ensuring complete incorporation after each addition.
- Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Distribute the batter uniformly across the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
- For caramel frosting, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Introduce brown sugar and milk, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil while continuously stirring.
- Reduce heat and simmer for two minutes, maintaining constant stirring to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat and blend in vanilla extract.
- Cool the caramel mixture to room temperature.
- Whip powdered sugar and caramel mixture in a large bowl until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Once cakes are entirely cooled, layer generously with caramel frosting between each cake layer and completely cover the exterior.
- Optionally embellish with additional caramel sauce or preferred decorative toppings.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even cake texture.
- Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for at least 3-4 minutes to incorporate maximum air and create a lighter cake.
- Avoid overmixing batter after adding flour to prevent dense, tough cake layers.
- Check cake doneness early, as oven temperatures can vary; start checking at 18 minutes to prevent overbaking.
- Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- Create a smooth frosting by sifting powdered sugar to eliminate lumps.
- For a more intense caramel flavor, brown the butter before mixing with other ingredients.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 67 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 77 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg