Description
A recipe for a moist, buttery Southern-style caramel layer cake featuring a rich, creamy homemade caramel frosting, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Carefully stir in the hot water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue whisking until smooth.
- Let the caramel frosting cool and thicken slightly at room temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of buttermilk in the cake batter.
- If the frosting sets too firmly while cooling, briefly warm it over low heat or microwave it for 5-10 seconds to restore spreadability.
- This cake tastes best when served at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg