Caramel-anything is probably the main reason I love the holidays (yes, there are others). It goes so well with apples, ice cream, pies, and cakes! And caramel’s sweet saltiness takes yellow butter cake to the next level. Don’t let making this delectable layer cake scare you. Yes, making caramel takes time, but I’m simplifying things. You know caramel icing is the star of this show. The classic yellow cake is mouthwatering enough on its own, but homemade caramel makes everything better.😍

Recipe Ingredients

How to Make Caramel Cake

Yellow Cake

Preheat your oven to 160°C/325°F. Then, grease three 9-inch cake pans generously with cooking spray and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer on high speed until fluffy and looks white, 4-5 minutes. (Photo 1) Wet Ingredients – Add the sour cream and mix for another minute. Then, add the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well between each addition. Finish Batter – Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the batter, then add milk and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is fully combined, scraping the sides of the mixing bowl as you go. Divide Batter – Pour the batter into the greased cake pans into three equal parts. Tap pans on a work surface to eliminate large air bubbles. (Photo 2) Bake at 325℉ (160℃) until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean – 30-35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. (Photo 3)

Caramel Frosting

Mix – Add butter, evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to a 3-quart or larger saucepan. (A larger saucepan is essential so the caramel doesn’t spill over.) (Photo 4) Heat over medium heat until everything melts. As soon as it comes to a boil, reduce the heat so the caramel simmers gently. (Photo 5) Simmer uncovered while stirring once in a while for 1-1½ hours – or until the sauce thickens and has the desired color. Remove from the heat. (Photos 6-7) Cool – Let it cool for 30-40 minutes before glazing. Glaze the bottom layer, then the second layer, and finally, the top layer with caramel. Frost the sides of the cake and let it cool completely; the caramel frosting should be firm but not hard. (Photo 8)

Recipe Variations

Have fun customizing this super versatile recipe.

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

Yes, you can make a caramel cake recipe ahead for a stress-free dessert. First option: Bake the cake layers in advance, let them cool, and wrap them tightly in plastic. Store them at room temperature for up to two days, refrigerated for up to five days, or frozen for 2-3 months. You can make the frosting ahead and refrigerate it for a week or two. Cover it so it doesn’t dry out. Then, when ready to frost your cake, let it warm up on the countertop for 10-15 minutes or until it’s spreadable. Thaw frozen cake in the fridge overnight, assemble, and serve. Second option: Assemble and frost the cake, then freeze it. If you have room in your freezer, freeze the cake uncovered. That way, when you seal it in plastic wrap, it won’t stick and make a mess. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and enjoy.

Serving and Storage Instructions

I love this cake served at room temperature with homemade whipped cream. Leftover caramel cake lasts at room temperature for 2-3 days. Or freeze individual slices wrapped well in plastic for up to three months. Great for a quick sweet tooth fix. Thaw what you’d like to enjoy overnight in the fridge, or leave it frozen like ice cream.

What to Serve With Caramel Cake

This deliciousness loves being with a cup of coffee. A pumpkin spice latte or chai tea latte is perfect. Since this is such a rich dessert, it’s an excellent finish for a lighter meal. Grilled scallops or a chicken Caesar salad is fabulous.

More Fantastic Layer Cake Recipes to Explore

Conclusion

The ultimate comfort food dessert, this Southern Caramel Cake recipe is easy and delicious. Do you have a favorite variation for this recipe? I would love to hear from you in the comments.

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”qTTm7HqM” upload-date=”2021-04-08T09:00:00.000Z” name=”Caramel Cake” description=”Southern Caramel Cake – moist and tender layered-cake wrapped and sandwiched in real caramel goodness with that perfect gooey sweet combo. No candy thermometer required! ” player-type=”static”] This blog post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated with more tips, photos, and a video.

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