Caramel is a flavor that evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and pure delight. It’s no wonder that a homemade caramel cake holds a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers everywhere. This decadent treat features moist and tender cake layers infused with the rich and buttery goodness of caramel, topped with a luscious caramel frosting that will make your taste buds sing. In this article, we’ll share a delightful caramel cake recipe that will have you reaching for seconds.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Caramel Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish (optional):
- Caramel sauce drizzle
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. The cakes should be lightly golden and springy to the touch.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the caramel frosting. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and milk, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the caramel mixture cool for about 15 minutes.
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Once the cakes have completely cooled, it’s time to assemble the caramel cake. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of caramel frosting on top.
- Repeat this process with the remaining cake layers, stacking them on top of each other and covering the entire cake with the caramel frosting.
- Use a spatula to smooth the frosting on the top and sides of the cake, creating a beautifully decorated finish.
- For an optional garnish, drizzle caramel sauce on top of the cake and sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
- Slice and serve this heavenly caramel cake, savoring the sweet and buttery caramel goodness with every bite.
This caramel cake is the perfect indulgence for special occasions or as a delightful treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. The rich caramel flavor combined with the moist and tender cake layers will leave you craving more. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and embark on a baking adventure to create this caramel-infused masterpiece. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
