🍰 Southern Caramel Cake
Southern Caramel Cake (also called Southern Caramel Layer Cake) is a classic dessert from the American South known for its tender yellow cake layers and rich, buttery caramel frosting made from scratch. It’s especially popular at holidays, Sunday dinners, and family gatherings.
🧈 What Makes It Special?
- From-scratch caramel icing – Made by cooking butter, sugar, and milk (or cream) until thick and golden.
- Multiple thin cake layers – Traditionally 2–4 layers.
- Old-fashioned technique – The frosting is poured and spread while warm, then firms up as it cools.
- Deep, buttery flavor – Not overly sweet, but rich and smooth.
🍰 Traditional Southern Caramel Cake Recipe
Cake Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Caramel Icing Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2–3 cups powdered sugar (for thickening)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour cake pans.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
- Divide into pans and bake 25–30 minutes.
- Cool completely before frosting.
2️⃣ Make the Caramel Frosting
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add brown sugar and milk.
- Bring to a gentle boil and cook 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
- Gradually beat in powdered sugar until spreadable.
- Spread on cake while warm (it thickens fast!).
🌟 Tips for Perfect Southern Caramel Cake
- Work quickly when frosting — caramel sets up fast.
- If frosting gets too thick, rewarm gently.
- For deeper flavor, let the brown sugar cook slightly longer (but don’t burn it).
- Many Southern bakers use cake flour for a softer crumb.
If you’d like, I can also share:
- A grandmother-style cooked caramel icing (no powdered sugar)
- A shortcut version
- A chocolate caramel variation
- Or a small 6-inch cake version
Just tell me what you’re craving 😊
