Best 7 Classic Southern Caramel Cake Wcaramel Frosting Recipes

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Indulge in a delectable journey through the realm of classic Southern desserts with our exploration of the "Classic Southern Caramel Cake with Caramel Frosting." This timeless confection is a symphony of sweet and buttery flavors, characterized by its moist and tender crumb, enveloped in a luscious caramel frosting that tantalizes the taste buds. Every bite of this Southern gem transports you to the heart of traditional Southern cooking, where simplicity meets indulgence. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we unravel the secrets behind this beloved cake, ensuring that you can recreate this piece of Southern culinary heritage in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HOMEMADE CARAMEL FROSTING



Homemade Caramel Frosting image

There are few things better than homemade Caramel Frosting, and our recipe takes the cake. You might be tempted to stick to the store-bought variety to cut back on time and all the extra steps but, we assure you, this is one frosting recipe that is well worth the effort. Most icing recipes don't take quite as much stirring, mixing, cooking, and caramelizing, but, then again, most icing recipes don't even come close to being quite as delicious as this caramel icing. Homemade caramel frosting is a labor of love. It takes time and patience but the result is lick-the-spoon good, every time. Whether you're just learning how to make caramel icing or are a seasoned veteran, give our caramel icing recipe a try and you'll likely never look back. Some things are just better when they're made right at home and this frosting recipe is no exception.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h50m

Yield Makes 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose-flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
3/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Sprinkle 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow, heavy 3½-qt. Dutch oven; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until sugar is melted and syrup is light golden brown (sugar will clump). Remove from heat.
  • Stir together 1 Tbsp. flour and 2½ cups sugar in a large saucepan; add milk, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
  • Gradually pour about one-fourth hot milk mixture into caramelized sugar, stirring constantly; gradually stir in remaining hot milk mixture until smooth. (Mixture will lump, but continue stirring until smooth.)
  • Cover and cook over low heat 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium; uncover and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reaches 238° (soft-ball stage, about 10 minutes). Add butter, stirring until blended. Remove from heat and let stand, without stirring, until temperature drops to 110° (about 1 hour).
  • Pour into bowl of heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Add vanilla, and beat at medium speed (setting 4) with whisk attachment until spreading consistency (about 20 minutes).

CLASSIC SOUTHERN CARAMEL CAKE RECIPE - (3.8/5)



Classic Southern Caramel Cake Recipe - (3.8/5) image

Provided by wing118677

Number Of Ingredients 13

CAKE:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups self-rising flour
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla
CARAMEL FROSTING:
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Crisco
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • CAKE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 9-inch cake pans and add optional parchment paper. Beat butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and beat for 5 more minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well after each. Add flour and buttermilk, alternately, beginning and ending with flour, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat well. Divide among pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes until set. Turn out of pans onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely. FROSTING: Mix all ingredients over medium-low heat in a 3- to 4-quart cast iron dutch oven. Swirl pan to keep ingredients moving in the pan. Cook to softball stage, 235ºF to 245ºF on a candy thermometer, or when a drop forms a soft ball in a cup of cold water. Remove from heat and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy and ready to spread.

SOUTHERN CARAMEL CAKE



Southern Caramel Cake image

Southern caramel cake is an irresistible dessert. Discover an easy recipe and tips for the classic layered yellow cake covered in caramel icing.

Provided by Colleen Graham

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h35m

Number Of Ingredients 17

For the Cake:
3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened and cubed
2 cups (396 grams) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
1 1/2 cups (360 grams) light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (360 grams) dark brown sugar
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened and cubed
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Gather the cake ingredients.
  • Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans , lining the bottom with parchment paper. Do not grease the sides as this can prevent the cake from rising properly. If not using a springform pan, you can insert strips of parchment paper along the sides (lightly greasing the pan helps the paper stick). Position a rack in the upper and lower third of the oven and heat to 350 F.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment at medium speed, beat the butter until creamy and a little airy, about 2 minutes.
  • Slowly add the granulated sugar and cream for 5 to 6 minutes, scraping the sides as needed, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until incorporated.
  • Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the flour blend and buttermilk alternating the two ingredients in increments, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until thoroughly combined but do not overmix.
  • Immediately pour the batter into the prepared pans, dividing it equally in each and spreading the batter evenly.
  • Bake, rotating the pans half way through baking time, until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let the cakes cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing them from the pans to a rack. Continue to cool the cake while you make the frosting.
  • Gather the frosting ingredients.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the light and dark brown sugar, butter, buttermilk, cream, salt, and vanilla. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a soft boil.
  • Once the mixture foams and has bubbles around the edges, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. The caramel should not reach more than 225 F on a candy thermometer.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Beat the frosting until it reaches a thick but spreadable consistency and begins to lose its glossiness. By hand with a whisk or spatula, this may take 10 minutes; in a stand mixer, it may only take 5 minutes.
  • While the frosting is semi-fluid, begin frosting the cake. Start by pouring about a quarter of the frosting over the bottom cake layer (right-side-up) and spreading it out evenly.
  • Add the top cake layer, pour about half of the remaining frosting on top, and spread it out evenly. Smooth out any drips that form on the sides.
  • Begin with a light layer of frosting all the way around the cake to seal in the crumb, then build up the side with more frosting as it thickens. If you need to smooth it out or the frosting becomes sticky, dip the spatula into a bowl of hot water.
  • Let the cake rest for 1 to 2 hours to allow the frosting to set completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1217 kcal, Carbohydrate 176 g, Cholesterol 233 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 33 g, Sodium 591 mg, Sugar 140 g, Fat 55 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CARAMEL FROSTING I



Caramel Frosting I image

I have had this recipe for over 30 years. Cream may be substituted for the milk for added richness.

Provided by MaryKaye

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings

Time 15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons milk
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, and mix in 3 tablespoons milk and brown sugar. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat, and beat in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Cool slightly, and beat in the vanilla and remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Add more milk if the mixture is too thick.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93.1 calories, Carbohydrate 19.2 g, Cholesterol 5.4 mg, Fat 2 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 17.9 mg, Sugar 18.9 g

CLASSIC SOUTHERN CARAMEL CAKE RECIPE - (4.2/5)



Classic Southern Caramel Cake Recipe - (4.2/5) image

Provided by á-5050

Number Of Ingredients 12

SOUTHERN CARAMEL FROSTING:
1 cup butter, 2 sticks
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups self-rising flour,
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Crisco
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottom of each cake pan with a circle of parchment paper. The parchment paper makes it easier to get the cake out of the pan. Beat butter until light and fluffy and then add sugar and beat for about 5 more minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well after each. Add flour and buttermilk, alternately, beginning and ending with flour and mix well after each. Add vanilla and beat well. Divide among pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Turn out of pans onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely. Prepare Southern Caramel Icing as cakes are cooling then frost the cake. FROSTING: Mix all ingredients in a 3-4 quart cast iron dutch oven. Swirl pan to keep ingredients moving in the pan. Cook to softball stage 235º - 245º on a candy thermometer or when tested in a cup of cold water. Remove from heat and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy and ready to spread. No thermometer? Do the cold water test: Take a some of the caramel and drop it into a bowl or cup of cold water. Give it a few seconds to cool. Fish around in the bowl or cup of cold water and try to retrieve the caramel and make a little ball with it. If you stick your fingers into the bowl, pull out a gooey mess and you can't do anything but smear the caramel, you need to boil the caramel some more. There is still too much water in your caramel and the concentration of sugar is too low. The caramel may even form little threads in the water, but if you cannot get the threads to form into a ball, you have some more boiling to do.

CARAMEL FROSTING



Caramel Frosting image

Creamy caramel frosting puts the crowning touch on spiced cupcakes and other scrumptious flavors. Our Test Kitchen's recipe is rich with spreadable goodness.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 1-1/3 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup 2% milk
Dash salt
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a small heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, milk and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. , Increase heat to medium. Do not stir. Cook for 3-6 minutes or until bubbles form in center and syrup turns amber in color. Transfer to a small bowl; cool to room temperature., Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting achieves spreading consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 54mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

SOUTHERN CARAMEL CAKE



Southern Caramel Cake image

Make and share this Southern Caramel Cake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by SweetSueAl

Categories     Dessert

Time 5h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups cake flour, sifted
6 large eggs, room temperature
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup butter
2 (6 ounce) cans evaporated milk
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Use the first 10 ingredients for the cake.
  • Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium sized bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray OR grease and flour them.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup unsalted butter, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, and 2 1/2 cups sugar on high until fully incorporated and light and fluffy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Turn mixer to medium speed and mix in eggs and egg yolks one at a time until well incorporated.
  • Add in vanilla extract and mix.
  • With the mixer on slow speed, alternate adding in flour mixture and sour cream, ending with flour until mixed through.
  • Do not overmix.
  • Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 23-30 minutes or until fully baked. (Over-baking will dry these cakes out).
  • 11. Place on cooling rack for 10 minutes.
  • Remove cakes from pan and cool completely.
  • Use last four ingredients for Caramel Icing.
  • Add butter, evaporated milk, and 2 cups sugar to saucepan over medium heat until everything has melted together.
  • Leave over medium to low heat, stirring periodically, for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn) until thickened and caramel has darkened to a golden brown. It should coat the back of a spoon. Reduce heat while cooking if necessary to prevent burning.
  • Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
  • Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before icing the cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 832.5, Fat 42.2, SaturatedFat 22.4, Cholesterol 210, Sodium 314.3, Carbohydrate 105.9, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 76.1, Protein 9

Tips:

  • Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing.
  • Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for a light and fluffy cake.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
  • Do not overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough cake.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven for the specified time or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
  • For the caramel frosting, use high-quality butter and cream cheese for the best flavor.
  • Cook the sugar and water over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color.
  • Gradually add the hot sugar mixture to the beaten butter and cream cheese, stirring constantly until smooth.
  • Frost the cake with the caramel frosting and enjoy!

Conclusion:

This Classic Southern Caramel Cake with Caramel Frosting is a delicious and decadent dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The moist and fluffy cake layers are complemented perfectly by the rich and creamy caramel frosting. This cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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