Caramel Bundt Cake

This rich, buttery Caramel Bundt Cake is a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for holidays, celebrations, and any special occasion. Finished with a luscious homemade caramel frosting, every slice is tender, moist, and packed with rich caramel flavor. It’s a classic Southern cake that’s guaranteed to impress and have everyone asking for the recipe.

What’s the Secret to a Moist Bundt Cake?

When making a bundt cake, it’s important to measure accurately. Always spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it and avoid dipping the cup into the flour. Also, don’t overbeat the batter as that can begin to develop the gluten in the flour and may result in a dry cake.

Easy Caramel Bundt Cake Recipe

Scratch-made Caramel Cake is one of the South’s most treasured desserts, and just about every Southern family has their own cherished recipe. While it’s traditionally served as a layer cake, this Bundt cake version is every bit as rich and delicious with a little less fuss. It’s easier to transport, simple to serve, and comes together quickly since there’s no need to frost every layer. Instead, a rich homemade caramel frosting is drizzled over the top, creating the perfect finishing touch.

This homemade Southern Caramel Bundt Cake is destined to become a family favorite. With its tender, buttery crumb and rich, old-fashioned caramel frosting, it delivers all the classic flavor of a traditional caramel cake in an easy-to-make Bundt cake that’s perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, potlucks, and celebrations alike. Guests and family alike will love it!

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Caramel Bundt Cake with Caramel Frosting: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour sifted with baking powder and salt forms the base of the cake batter.
• Fats – Salted butter and solid vegetable shortening adds richness to the batter.
• Sugar – A combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar amps up the flavor.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract adds creamy floral notes to the flavor.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the cake batter.
• Milk – Whole or lowfat buttermilk, preferably not fat free adds moisture.
• Caramel Icing – Light brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, salted butter and vanilla extract.

How to Make the Best Caramel Bundt Cake Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a bundt cake pan with nonstick baking spray or butter and flour.
• Wet Ingredients – Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, vanilla, brown and granulated sugars in a large mixing bowl. Beat until creamy and light beige in color.
• Add Eggs – Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Lower the speed of the mixer and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
• Transfer the Batter to the Prepared Bundt Pan – Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake per the recipe until a cake tester inserted into the center comes back clean.
• Cool – Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Make the Caramel Icing – Pour caramel frosting over cake until all has been used. Drizzle the frosting slowly, so it doesn’t all pool around the bottom.
• Garnish – Sprinkle the top with toasted walnuts or pecans, if desired.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Caramel Bundt Cake

• One 12-14 cup bundt pan.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Small or medium saucepan.
• Electric mixer. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer.
• Large bowl, medium bowl.
• Balloon whisk.
• Wire rack.
• Cake plate, platter or cake stand.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Use Room Temperature Eggs and Butter – It’s important to to note that for this recipe, it’s best to start with room temperature eggs and butter.
• Flour – You could use cake flour, if desired.
• Brown Sugar – You could substitute dark brown sugar for a stronger molasses flavor.
• Make Your Own Buttermilk – You really do need to use buttermilk for this caramel cake recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make it yourself in a pinch. To do so, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white distilled vinegar to one cup of whole milk. Allow it to sit on the counter for 5 minutes, then stir and proceed with the recipe as written. Use whole milk, not low fat.
• Sour Cream – You could replace buttermilk with sour cream in a pinch.
• Bring to Room Temperature for Serving – This cake can be stored chilled or at room temperature. When storing chilled, allow an hour or so on the counter before serving to give the homemade caramel glaze time to soften. It will naturally firm when chilled.
• Nuts – Classic Southern caramel cake typically doesn’t have any nuts or embellishments added to the batter. That being said, if you wanted to mix one cup of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter, you could.
• Alternate Garnish – You may choose to garnish top of the cake with chocolate covered toffee bits or a chopped Heath bar for crunch.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover Caramel Bundt Cake in an airtight container, aluminum foil or covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – You can freeze Caramel Cake for up to 3 months. When freezing, thaw in the fridge overnight and add the caramel sauce fresh just before serving.

More Southern Style Bundt Cake Recipes to Make

This scrumptious cake is unapologetically sweet and indulgent. It’s just one of those desserts that screams “go big or go home.” Other bundt cake recipes to try:

• Chocolate Turtle Bundt Cake is ooey gooey good.
• Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake is an easy cake that bakers of all skill levels can be successful recreating.
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Banana Bundt Cake is a tasty use for overripe bananas.
• Buttered Rum Cake is a holiday favorite that also goes viral around Mardis Gras.
• Lemon Butter Bundt Cake is filled with lemon flavor.
• Vanilla glaze drizzled Coconut Cream Pound Cake. 
• Key Lime Bundt Cake from Life in the Lofthouse.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Bundt Pan
• Mixer
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls