✔ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
✔ Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans (or use parchment paper).
✅ This ensures the cakes don’t stick!
2️⃣ Make the Cake Batter
✔ In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
✔ In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
✔ Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
✔ Alternate adding buttermilk and flour mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
✔ Stir in vanilla extract.
✅ Mix just until combined—overmixing makes the cake dense!
3️⃣ Bake the Cake
✔ Divide batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
✔ Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
✔ Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
✅ Cool completely before frosting!
4️⃣ Make the Caramel Frosting
✔ In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
✔ Stir in brown sugar and salt, cooking for 3-4 minutes until bubbly.
✔ Add heavy cream, stirring constantly.
✔ Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract.
✔ Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
✅ If the frosting thickens too much, add a splash of warm cream!
5️⃣ Assemble the Cake
✔ Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread caramel frosting on top.
✔ Repeat with the second and third layers.
✔ Cover the entire cake with the remaining caramel frosting.
✅ For a smooth finish, let the frosting cool slightly before spreading!
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
✔ Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
✔ Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt or toasted pecans.
✔ Serve with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream! 🍨
✅ Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers taste even better!
🔥 Variations & Customization
🔹 Salted Caramel Cake – Add ½ teaspoon sea salt to the caramel frosting. 🧂
🔹 Pecan Caramel Cake – Fold in chopped pecans for extra crunch. 🌰
🔹 Chocolate Caramel Cake – Use chocolate cake layers instead. 🍫
🔹 Caramel Drizzle – Drizzle extra warm caramel sauce on top! 🍯
🥡 Storage & Tips
✔ Store at room temp for up to 2 days (covered).
✔ Refrigerate for up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving.
✔ Freeze slices for up to 2 months (wrap in plastic + foil).
✅ For ultra-moist cake, brush each layer with simple syrup before frosting!
🏆 Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Southern Caramel Cake!
This Southern Caramel Cake is sweet, buttery, and packed with rich caramel flavor—a true crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
💡 Will you try this? Let me know how it turns out! 🍰✨
