Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
southern caramel cake recipe 463947402 q1

Old Fashioned Southern Caramel Cake Recipe

No ratings yet
Bake a traditional southern caramel cake from scratch! This classic caramel layer cake with rich frosting is a nostalgic family favorite.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour or 3¼ cups cake flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
For the Caramel Frosting:
  • 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup evaporated milk room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted

Method
 

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pans:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line the bottoms with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine the Dry Ingredients:
  1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar:
  1. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla:
  1. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Alternate Adding the Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk:
  1. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with the flour, and mix until just combined without overmixing.
Bake the Cake Layers:
  1. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare the Caramel Frosting:
  1. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring to a gentle boil until the sugar dissolves. Add the evaporated milk and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture thickens and darkens.
Finish the Frosting:
  1. Remove the caramel from the heat and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Assemble and Frost the Cake:
  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate while the frosting is still warm. Spread 1 cup of frosting over the surface. Add the second cake layer and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Let the cake rest at room temperature for at least 2 hours before slicing.

Notes

To make this Southern Caramel Cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose or cake flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure that your baking powder and powdered sugar are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain trace amounts of gluten or cross-contamination risk. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.