About
Rich, buttery, sweet, sparkling with notes of butterscotch and malt. There are a lot of words to describe caramel. One slice of Southern Caramel Cake, though, and you’ll be left speechless! Southern Caramel Cake finds layer upon layer of light fluffy sandwiching a beautiful creamy caramel icing. You get the full taste of caramel in perhaps its smoothest, most satisfying form. Where this cake is, celebrations are sure to follow!
Ingredients
- For the cake:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3 cups flour, self-rising
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- For the icing:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Directions
Step 1 -Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by spraying them with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3 -Cream the butter until fluffy.
Step 4 -Mix in the sugar and cream for 8 minutes.
Step 5 -One at a time, add the eggs. Cream the mixture after each.
Step 6 -Add the flour and buttermilk in 1 cup increments of the flour and 1/2 cup increments for the buttermilk, alternating between the two and beginning and ending with the flour. Mix after every addition.
Step 7 -Add in the vanilla and beat well.
Step 8 -Divide the batter among the pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes.
Step 9 -Turn the cake out of the pans onto cooling racks, allowing them to fully cool.
Step 10 -While the cakes cool, mix together the sugar, buttermilk, shortening, butter, and baking soda in a 3-4 quart cast iron dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat.
Step 11 -Swirl the pan, consistently moving the ingredients.
Step 12 -Cook the mixture until it reaches 235-245 degrees F on a candy thermometer. It should have a beautiful caramel color that isn't too dark.
Step 13 -Remove the icing from the heat and beat with a wooden spoon until it is ready to spread and has a creamy consistency.
Step 14 -If using a mixer, once the icing has reached 235-245 degrees F, whip the icing until it holds to the whisk.
Step 15 -Ice the cakes with the caramel icing and serve!
