Name: Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 32 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup whole milk; 1 cup unsalted butter; 2 cups packed light brown sugar; ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

Description

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake is a Southern classic with buttery cake layers and rich, golden caramel frosting. A timeless dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake Layers:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup whole milk

For the Caramel Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups packed light brown sugar

½ cup whole milk or heavy cream

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in vanilla extract.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to wet mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

4. Divide batter evenly into pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

6. Make frosting: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Beat in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

7. Assemble: Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread frosting on top. Add second layer, then frost top and sides with remaining frosting.

8. Serve: Slice and enjoy at room temperature.

Notes

If frosting thickens, add a splash of milk and re-whip until smooth.

Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for a salted caramel version.

Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 520
Sugar: 55g
Sodium: 310mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 70g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 120mg