Description
Southern Caramel Cake is a rich, buttery vanilla layer cake topped with a smooth, homemade caramel frosting—a nostalgic Southern classic perfect for special occasions or comforting dessert cravings.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups self-rising flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 sticks (1 ½ cups) butter (for frosting)
- 3 cups granulated sugar (for frosting)
- 1 cup evaporated milk (for frosting)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Cream butter, oil, and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Alternate adding flour and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and evaporated milk until sugar dissolves.
- Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes golden caramel. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Let frosting cool slightly before spreading between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
Notes
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch between layers.
- Mix in sea salt to the frosting for a salted caramel twist.
- Swap some butter for browned butter for deeper flavor.
- Use cake flour instead of self-rising for a lighter texture (add baking powder and salt).
- Bake in a bundt pan and use the frosting as a glaze.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 64g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
