Description
This homemade Southern caramel cake recipe features fluffy, tender cake layers and a rich, golden caramel icing made from scratch. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or anytime you want to impress.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp other salt)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 large egg yolks, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large egg whites
Caramel Icing:
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp other salt)
2 cans (12 oz each) evaporated milk
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Grease and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on high for 3 minutes.
5. Lower speed, add egg yolks one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture. Mix until just combined.
7. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold into the batter.
8. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool cakes completely before icing.
10. To make caramel icing, melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
11. Add evaporated milk, sugar, and salt. Stir well.
12. Cook over low to low-medium heat, whisking often, for 1 to 1.5 hours until golden brown and thick.
13. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla (if using).
14. Let caramel cool 15–20 minutes before pouring over cooled cake layers.
Notes
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for best texture.
Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
Caramel should be whisked frequently to prevent burning.
Let cakes cool fully before icing to avoid melting.
Caramel icing will thicken as it cools — pour while still spreadable.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Cakes Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Soul Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 629
- Sugar: 68g
- Sodium: 342mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 87g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 138mg