Southern Caramel Cake

This buttery homemade Southern Caramel Cake is what dessert dreams are made of. It features three layers of homemade cake frosted with a decadent homestyle caramel frosting.

Easy Southern Caramel Cake Recipe

This scratch made southern style caramel layer cake is unapologetically sweet. It’s one of those beloved cakes popular in the South, that everyone loves to eat. It’s quite commonly found at the holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas but also makes an appearance for special occasions and birthday celebrations, too. It features a tender texture and buttery caramel flavor that’s addictive. How to make simple Southern Living Caramel Cake Recipe: Scroll down for the fully printable recipe card.)

• Heat Oven and Prepare Cake Pans – Preheat oven and spray three 8-inch pns or two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray.
• Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside
• Creamed Ingredients – Use a mixer on medium speed to cream together the 3/4 cup butter, shortening, vanilla, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl.
• Eggs – Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Combine – Add sifted flour mixture creamed butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Beat until fully combined.
• Transfer Cake Batter to Pans – Pour batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Oven – Bake per the cook time in the recipe until a toothpick inserted into the center that comes back clean.
• Cool the Layers – Cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
• Make Caramel Frosting – Melt together butter, evaporated milk and brown sugar in a medium saucepan, simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla extract, mix well. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
• Beat in Confectioners Sugar – Once lukewarm, use an electric mixer on medium-low to gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
• Frost the Cake – Spread frosting between layers, top and sides of cake.
• Refrigerate – Chill Caramel Cake for at least 4 hours to set.

How to Make the Best Southern Caramel Cake Recipe

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Southern Caramel Cake: All purpose flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, vegetable shortening, room temperature butter, two teaspoons vanilla extract, large eggs and buttermilk.
• Ingredients you’ll need to make the Caramel Frosting:  Butter, evaporated milk, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, vanilla extract and sifted powdered sugar.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: A stand mixer or a hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, 8-inch round cake pans or 9 inch cake pans, wire racks, a heavy bottomed medium size saucepan to make the frosting, a wooden spoon or heat safe rubber spatula for stirring the frosting and an offset icing spatula. You’ll also need a cake stand or platter for the cake.
• The reason I give a range for the amount of powdered sugar is due to the fact that you can adjust the amount depending on how much you need. For example, a 2 layer cake will need less icing and a 3 layer cake made with 9 inch cake pans may need more. You can adapt the amount according to your needs. You can add half and half or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time to thin as desired for easy spreading.
• Frosting Tips: The icing may begin to set while you work. Have your cake layers completely cooled and ready to go so you can work quickly.
• I also recommend having nearby a glass filled with hot water. Dip the icing spatula into the water, dry with a cloth then continue to work. This will also help smooth the surface of the frosting.
• You can frost this cake in swirls or decorate it to suit your taste. To achieve the design in the images, use the tip of an icing spatula beginning in the middle of the cake. Turn the cake making a spiral design to the outer edge.
• Variations: You could garnish the top of this cake with toasted chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch, if you’d like.
• Substitutions: You can replace buttermilk with sour cream in a pinch.
• Storage and Leftovers: Store leftover Southern Caramel Cake in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Freezer – You can freeze Caramel Cake for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More Southern Style Cake Recipes to Make

If you’re in the mood for making scratch made Southern cakes, you’ve come to the right place! More cake recipes you may also like to try:

• My mile high Banana Pudding Layer Cake is dressed to impress.
• Buttered Rum Cake is a holiday classic filled with nostalgia.
• Southern Hummingbird Cake is credited by Southern Living to have been created by Mrs. Wiggins from right here in my neck of the woods in North Carolina.
• Coconut Cream Cake is simply luscious.
• You won’t find a better recipe for Italian Cream Cake anywhere else. It’s a show stopper!
• My recipe for Buttered Rum Cake is a holiday must-make.
• If simplicity is the name of the game, you can never go wrong with a homemade Million Dollar Pound Cake.
• Blackberry Cake from Preppy Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Cake Pans
• Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Icing Spatula Set