Southern Caramel Cake (2024)

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ByBrandie

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This Southern Caramel Cake is a true classic for a reason. A homemade soft and moist vanilla cake with a delicious caramel frosting!

AN OLD-FASHIONED SOUTHERN CAKE

When you grow up in the south, you are probably very familiar with caramel cake. The cake is moist and fluffy with a light vanilla taste and the caramel frosting is thick, smooth and absolutely flavorful! If you have never tried a Caramel Cake before, now is the time. This is one recipe that gets asked to be brought to all the gatherings. If you are a classic cake lover like me, you absolutely must make this Southern Caramel Cake recipe.

Southern Caramel Cake (1)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why do my ingredients need to be at room temperature?

This helps create an emulsion that allows air to be released while baking which results in a light, fluffy and tender cake.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

Buttermilk is key in this cake. The fat in the buttermilk helps this cake become very moist. So to replace that you would need to use heavy cream (the amount called for in the recipe) and one teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Mix well and allow to sit for about 5 minutes before using. Regular milk is far too thin and doesn’t have enough fat.

Do I have to use dark brown sugar?

No, this just creates a more rich and deeper caramel flavor. If you do not have dark brown sugar on hand you can just use light brown sugar in its place. This combination of brown sugars really sets this recipe apart from others.

What is the texture and flavor of this cake?

The texture of the cake itself is light and fluffy with a silky but firm caramel frosting. This is a sweet cake because of the sugars but not overly sweet that it is not enjoyable.

Can I use a cake mix instead?

If you do not feel like making your own homemade cake you can use a yellow cake mix in its place but the frosting is a must!

How do I store leftovers?

This can be stored in a cake saver or in an airtight container at room temperature where it will keep for up to 5 days. You can extend the life to 1 week by putting it into the refrigerator. This can also be frozen. Place cooled cake wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil (or in a freezer container) where it will keep for up to 3 months. To defrost, remove cake to the countertop until defrosted.

Southern Caramel Cake (2)

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • unsalted butter
  • vegetable oil
  • granulated sugar
  • light brown sugar
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • buttermilk
  • dark brown sugar
  • evaporated milk
  • heavy cream
  • powdered sugar
Southern Caramel Cake (3)

HOW TO MAKE A SOUTHERN CARAMEL CAKE:

Preheat the oven 350°F. Lightly spray (2) 9-inch cake pans with baking spray. Place parchment paper in the bottom of the pans. Spray the top of the paper with baking spray. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Southern Caramel Cake (4)

In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment mix the butter with the oil until combined.

Southern Caramel Cake (5)

Then, add the eggs one at a time until fully mixed in. Stir in the vanilla.

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Add half of the dry ingredients and stir it in until combined.

Southern Caramel Cake (8)

Next, add half of the buttermilk, stir until combined.

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Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk, scraping down the sides as needed.

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Divide the batter between the two cake pans. Take a spatula and smooth out the top, this will ensure the cakes bake evenly.

Southern Caramel Cake (11)

Bake for 22-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan. When the cakes are cool and you are ready to assemble, cut any doming or uneven parts off the cake if there are any, and then make the frosting.

Southern Caramel Cake (12)

Place the light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, and salt into a medium-sized saucepan.Place the pot over medium heat and whisk constantly until the butter and the sugars are melted.

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Pour in the evaporated milk then the heavy cream, whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 4 minutes, it will start to thicken. Immediately pour into a heatproof bowl.

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Using an electric hand mixer, add the powdered sugar a little at a time until fully mixed in. Then mix in the vanilla.

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When the frosting is done, we need to work fast to frost the cake while it is still spreadable. Place one of the cakes top side up onto your serving platter. Add ¾ cup of the frosting and using an offset spatula or something similar, spread it out over the top of the cake.

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Place the other cake top side down on top.

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Frost the sides and top of the cake as fast as you can before the frosting hardens.

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Let the cake sit until the frosting completely hardens, about 2 hours before slicing to serve.

Southern Caramel Cake (19)

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Southern Caramel Cake (20)

Southern Caramel Cake

This Southern Caramel Cake is a true classic for a reason. A homemade soft and moist vanilla cake with a delicious caramel frosting!

5 from 58 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Total Time: 58 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

For the frosting:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven 350°F. Lightly spray (2) 9-inch cake pans with baking spray. Place parchment paper in the bottom of the pans. Spray the top of the paper with baking spray. Set aside.

  • In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

  • In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment mix the butter with the oil until combined.

  • Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat them together on medium speed for about 3 minutes.

  • Then, add the eggs one at a time until fully mixed in. Stir in the vanilla extract.

  • Add half of the dry ingredients and stir it in until combined.

  • Next, add half of the buttermilk, stir until combined.

  • Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk, scraping down the sides as needed.

  • Divide the batter between the two cake pans. Take a spatula and smooth out the top, this will ensure the cakes bake evenly.

  • Bake for 22-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.

  • When the cakes are cool and you are ready to assemble, cut any doming or uneven parts off the top of the cake if there are any, and then make the frosting.

  • Place the light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, butter, and salt into a medium-sized saucepan.

  • Place the pot over medium heat and whisk constantly until the butter and the sugars are melted.

  • Pour in the evaporated milk then the heavy cream, whisk to combine.

  • Bring to a simmer and simmer for 4 minutes, it will start to thicken. Immediately pour into a heatproof mixing bowl.

  • Using an electric hand mixer, add the powdered sugar a little at a time until fully mixed in. Then mix in the vanilla extract.

  • When the frosting is done, we need to work fast to frost the cake while it is still spreadable.

  • Place one of the cakes top side up onto your serving platter. Add ¾ cup of the frosting and using an offset spatula or something similar, spread it out over the top of the cake.

  • Place the other cake top on top (you want the flattest side facing up).

  • Frost the sides and top of the cake as fast as you can before the frosting hardens.

  • Let the cake sit until the frosting completely hardens, about 2 hours before slicing to serve.

Video

Southern Caramel Cake (21)

Notes

  • You can use a yellow box cake mix if you do not feel like making homemade.
  • If you cannot find or do not have buttermilk, you can make your own. See above on how to do that.
  • This can be frozen, see above on how to freeze.
  • Other toppings can be added, see some of my suggestions at the top.
  • This is best served at room temperature.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 792kcal | Carbohydrates: 110g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 38g | Sodium: 315mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 88g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

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Leave a Reply

  1. Southern Caramel Cake (26)
    My 12 year old daughter made this for a local baking contest and won! This has become a family favorite of ours. Thank you for sharing. This recipe is amazing!

    Reply

    1. What?!?! Really? Oh wow – this made my day!! Thanks so much for coming back to comment Dawn. I am so happy it was such a hit!!

      Reply

  2. Southern Caramel Cake (27)
    This was the best cake I have ever made! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so very much Edie! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment!

      Reply

  3. Southern Caramel Cake (28)
    I love your recipe!

    Reply

  4. The cake is amazing however I struggle with the actual cake part. It tastes wonderful but remains so soft it falls apart. Any idea what I may be doing wrong. I even cooked it 10 min longer

    Reply

  5. for the icing: while it’s simmering for 4 minutes, do you constantly stir it?
    thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

  6. I have gone up and down and for the life of me can NOT find this: “If you cannot find or do not have buttermilk, you can make your own. See above on how to do that”. I am sure I am just overlooking it. Can you direct me on where on this page it is located? Thank you. .

    Reply

    1. Sorry about that! You mix heavy cream with lemon juice or vinegar. So for this recipe it’s 1 1/4 cup heavy cream with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. It can’t be just regular milk because it’s not thick enough or fatty enough like real buttermilk is.

      Reply

  7. Could this delicious locking cakes recipe be baked in a 9×13 pan and if so, what would the baking time be. Thanks so much….Jeri

    Reply

    1. Good question! I have never made it in a 9×13 believe it or not. You could certainly do that but I honestly couldn’t give you a time. It would be something you’d have to play by ear. My best guess would be about 28-30 minutes since that is the usual time to bake for most 9×13 cake recipes. 🙂 The frosting makes a lot since it was created for a layer cake.

      Reply

Southern Caramel Cake (2024)

FAQs

What is caramel cake made of? ›

Caramel Cake Ingredients

We use it here, in addition to milk, to ensure the cake stands up to the Caramel Frosting. Butter, sugar, and eggs: You'll find these staple cake ingredients in almost every batter. Flour, baking powder, and salt: Ditto these dry ingredients.

What's the difference between caramel and butterscotch cake? ›

Whereas caramel is made by cooking white sugar until it melts, darkens, and breaks down into its component parts, which in turn react with each other to create complex aromas, butterscotch is built on brown sugar, which gives it a couple of advantages.

What is the difference between creme caramel and flan cake? ›

That said, creme caramel is often made with a combination of whole egg and egg yolks while flan uses only whole eggs and often doesn't contain sweetened or condensed milk. However, the end results are desserts that are nearly identical in taste and texture and the different names are used interchangeably.

What is caramel icing made of? ›

Melt butter in a pan. Add brown sugar and boil for two minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and stir until mixture boils, remove and cool. Pour into mixing bowl and add powdered sugar a little bit at a time.

Can you leave a caramel cake out overnight? ›

This caramel cake can be left out at room temperature in an airtight container for a few days. After that it should be refrigerated and will last up to a week.

What are the three types of caramel? ›

There are many different kinds of caramel, including soft caramels, hard caramels, and chewy caramels. Soft caramels are made with a high proportion of milk or cream, which gives them a soft, creamy texture. Hard caramels, on the other hand, are made with very little milk or cream, and have a harder, crunchier texture.

Is butterscotch just caramel with butter? ›

What Is Butterscotch? Butterscotch is butter and brown sugar that has been slowly heated together to create a soft-crack candy. Just like caramel, the brown sugar molecules break down and, thanks to the addition of molasses in the sugar, caramelize into a richer, deeper flavor than classic caramel.

Does Duncan Hines have a caramel cake mix? ›

Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1 Decadent Caramel Cake Mix 4 ct Box - Walmart.com.

What do Americans call crème caramel? ›

Both crème caramel ("caramel cream") and flan are French names, but flan has come to have different meanings in different regions. In Spanish-speaking countries and often in the United States, crème caramel is known as flan.

Is crème brûlée the same as crème caramel? ›

Two delicious desserts that are beloved! Crème Brûlée and Crème Caramel. Crème Brûlée is made with a milk but mostly cream base and Crème Caramel has a milk base.

What's the difference between panna cotta and crème caramel? ›

Similar in texture to an Italian panna cotta, crème caramel is actually made without the addition of gelatin or starches: the eggs will thicken the mixture themselves and, with gentle and careful cooking, will give you a perfect texture, smooth and compact, but at the same time enveloping and velvety.

Does melted sugar turn into caramel? ›

Caramel is made by heating sugar to the point where it melts, causing a breakdown of sucrose molecules into different flavor compounds. Think about the flavorless sweetness of white granulated sugar and the deep, dark complexity of caramel sauce.

What is Baker's caramel? ›

Baker's caramel is burnt sugar — specifically sugar that has been slowly simmered until it looks like the bottom of a coffee pot left on the heat too long. It is used to colour spirits, wines, baked goods such as Dark Rye, Pumpernickel Bread, gravies, etc. For commercial use, baker's caramel is sold in large drums.

How to thicken caramel icing for cake without cornstarch? ›

How to Thicken Caramel Sauce
  1. Add heavy cream. Some caramel sauce recipes call for milk, but if you find this still produces a thin sauce, you can add room-temperature heavy cream and return the caramel sauce to the stove for another few minutes. ...
  2. Cook the sauce longer. ...
  3. Make more caramel. ...
  4. Use a slurry.
Jan 21, 2022

What ingredient is caramel made from? ›

Caramel is made by heating sugar (either with a liquid or by itself, more on that below!) in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until it melts and becomes clear. The liquefied sugar is then cooked, without stirring, until it darkens in color, taking on additional flavor notes the longer it remains on the heat.

What materials are in caramel? ›

Caramel is a confectionery product, characterised by high viscosity, which derives from the cooking of sucrose and other ingredients such as milk, salt, emulsifier, bicarbonate and glucose.

What elements is caramel made of? ›

Caramel candy, or "caramels", and sometimes called "toffee" (though this also refers to other types of candy), is a soft, dense, chewy candy made by boiling a mixture of milk or cream, sugar(s), glucose, butter, and vanilla (or vanilla flavoring).

What is caramel ingredient in food? ›

Caramel coloring is made by heating a sugar compound (usually high-dextrose corn syrup), often together with ammonium compounds, acids, or alkalis. It is the most widely used (by weight) coloring added to foods and beverages, with hues ranging from tannish-yellow to black, depending on the concentration and the food.

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