Heavenly Homemade Caramel Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet aromas of buttery caramel whisper memories of Southern comfort in this incredible homemade caramel cake recipe.

Layers of golden sponge cake drape elegantly with rich, amber-hued caramel frosting.

Every slice promises pure indulgence and warmth from the first delectable bite.

Generations of bakers have perfected this classic dessert, blending simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

The silky smooth caramel glaze creates a mesmerizing sheen that beckons hungry hearts.

Soft, moist cake layers promise a decadent experience that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Prepare to fall deeply in love with this irresistible Southern treasure that turns an ordinary moment into a sweet celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Homemade Caramel Cake

• Cake Flour: Ultra-fine texture ensures tender, delicate cake crumb with soft structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create light, airy cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Crucial leavening agent that helps cake rise evenly and create fluffy consistency.

• Large Eggs: Adds structure, richness, and helps bind ingredients together.
• Sour Cream: Brings tangy flavor, moisture, and helps create tender cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and prevents dryness during baking.
• Unsalted Butter: Enhances flavor, provides creamy richness, and contributes to cake's smooth texture.

• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, warm aromatic flavor to both cake and icing.
• Evaporated Milk: Contributes rich, concentrated dairy flavor and smooth caramel consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.
• Additional Butter: Creates smooth, luxurious caramel frosting with deep golden color.

Tools for Baking Homemade Caramel Cake

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, sugar, and beating eggs to achieve a light, fluffy texture.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two needed for separating dry and wet ingredients, mixing cake batter smoothly.
• 9-inch Round Cake Pans (3): Crucial for baking even cake layers with consistent size and shape.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Perfect for evenly distributing flour, baking powder, and salt without lumps.
• Large Saucepan: Vital for preparing caramel icing, allowing even heat distribution and constant stirring.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Great for mixing caramel icing and scraping sides of the pan.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Toothpicks: Handy for checking cake doneness by inserting into the center.
• Serving Plate: Needed for assembling and presenting the finished caramel cake.
• Offset Spatula: Useful for spreading icing smoothly between cake layers and on the exterior.

How to Make a Homemade Caramel Cake Easily

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen by setting the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab three round cake pans and give them a quick spray to prevent sticking.

• Cake Batter Foundation

Cream together soft butter, oil, and sugar until the mixture looks light and dreamy. Gently welcome each egg into the party, mixing thoroughly. Add a splash of vanilla for that extra spark of flavor.

• Dry Ingredient Dance

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Softly fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream to create a silky smooth batter.

• Baking Moment

Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans. Slide them into the waiting oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. The cakes are ready when they turn a beautiful golden color and a toothpick comes out clean.

• Caramel Sauce Creation

In a large saucepan, melt butter and combine evaporated milk with sugar. Let the mixture simmer and transform, stirring occasionally. After an hour, the sauce will become a rich, golden treasure. Stir in vanilla and let it cool slightly.

• Cake Assembly

Place the first cake layer on a beautiful serving plate. Lavish it with warm caramel sauce. Stack the remaining layers, coating the entire cake with the luscious caramel icing.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle with pecans or drizzle extra caramel sauce if desired. Slice and serve this sweet masterpiece to delighted friends and family.

Caramel Cake Tips for Perfect Texture

• Keep caramel icing warm but not hot for smooth, even spreading. If it becomes too thick, gently reheat while stirring to maintain perfect consistency.
• For extra moisture, brush each cake layer with simple syrup before adding caramel icing. This technique ensures a supremely tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Experiment by adding a pinch of sea salt to the caramel icing for a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast. Alternatively, mix in ground cinnamon or espresso powder for unexpected depth.
• This cake actually tastes better the next day as flavors develop and settle. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to three days for optimal taste and texture.
• Instead of pecans, try toasting sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or coconut flakes for a delightful crunch and additional flavor dimension on top of your caramel masterpiece.

Serving Homemade Caramel Cake Gracefully

• Caramel Cake Companion Delights: Serving Suggestions
• Creamy Companion Beverage: Pair this decadent cake with a steaming mug of fresh coffee or smooth vanilla chai tea. The warm, rich drink perfectly complements the sweet caramel notes and balances the cake's intense sweetness.
• Southern Style Presentation: Serve each slice on a vintage china plate with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream creates a delightful temperature contrast against the warm, gooey caramel layers.
• Nutty Garnish Finale: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans around the cake's edges or on top for an extra crunch. These golden-brown nuts add a delightful textural element and enhance the cake's southern-inspired flavor profile.
• Elegant Afternoon Treat: Create a charming dessert spread by adding fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries alongside the cake. The bright, tangy fruit cuts through the richness and provides a beautiful visual garnish.

Storage Tips for Homemade Caramel Cake

• Cake Care Champions: Keep slices in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Refrigeration Rescue: When storing longer, wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 7 days, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
• Freezing Freedom: Individually wrap cake layers or whole cake in plastic and aluminum foil, storing frozen for up to 3 months without losing delectable texture.
• Room Temperature Magic: Remove refrigerated cake 30-45 minutes before serving to restore soft, tender crumb and enhance caramel's rich, smooth taste.

Decadent Caramel Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Grandma’s caramel cake recipe delivers classic Southern comfort with rich, golden layers and silky frosting. Creamy caramel notes and delicate crumb create a nostalgic dessert you’ll savor slice after delightful slice.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2½ cups (500 grams) granulated sugar
• 3 cups (720 ml / 24 fl oz) cake flour (sifted)
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) sour cream
• 2 sticks (226 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1½ sticks (170 grams / 6 oz) butter
• 2 cans evaporated milk (12 oz / 340 grams each)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) baking powder
• 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsps (10 ml / 0.33 fl oz) pure vanilla extract (for icing)
• ½ tsp (2.5 grams) salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat three 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Butter Mixture: Cream butter, vegetable oil, and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Gradually incorporate eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly, and mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate lumps and ensure even distribution. Gently fold dry ingredients and sour cream into the butter mixture, alternating and beginning/ending with dry ingredients to maintain batter’s airiness.
4. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter among prepared pans, smoothing tops with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating pans midway to ensure uniform baking. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted into cake center.
5. Cooling: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
6. Caramel Icing Preparation: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add evaporated milk and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
7. Icing Development: Continue cooking for 45-60 minutes until mixture thickens and achieves a rich golden caramel color. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Cake Assembly: Position first cake layer on serving plate and spread a generous layer of caramel icing. Carefully stack remaining layers, covering entire cake with remaining icing.
9. Finishing Touches: Gently reheat icing if it becomes too firm. Optionally garnish with chopped pecans or a caramel sauce drizzle for enhanced presentation.
10. Serving: Slice and serve the caramel cake at room temperature, allowing guests to savor its decadent layers and rich flavor.

Notes

• Butter Softening Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing and better cake texture.
• Ingredient Precision: Measure ingredients exactly using proper measuring cups and spoons for consistent baking results.
• Baking Time Watch: Oven temperatures vary, so start checking cake doneness at 20 minutes to prevent overbaking and dryness.
• Caramel Patience Matters: Stir caramel continuously and watch closely to prevent burning, which can create bitter flavors.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg