Description
Sweet Southern hospitality shines through this caramel cake that connects generations of family traditions. Creamy layers draped with golden caramel frosting deliver pure comfort straight from Grandma’s Southern kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup buttermilk
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla essence
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 0.5 cup Crisco
- 0.5 cup butter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Grab a heavy-bottomed saucepan and combine 2 cups sugar, ½ cup Crisco, ½ cup butter, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon baking soda.
- Position the pan over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Monitor the mixture carefully until it reaches precisely 230-245 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow it to rest at room temperature.
- Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon, creating a smooth consistency.
- Whip the caramel icing until it grips the whisk and holds its shape.
- Set the icing aside to cool completely.
- Preheat your oven to exactly 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans with butter and flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter until it becomes light and airy.
- Add sugar and beat for exactly 8 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy.
- Incorporate 4 eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Alternate adding 3 cups self-rising flour and 1 cup buttermilk, starting and ending with flour.
- Blend in 1½ teaspoons vanilla essence, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove cakes and let them cool completely on wire racks.
- Place the first cake layer on a serving plate and spread caramel icing generously.
- Stack the second layer and repeat the icing process.
- Add the final layer and cover the entire cake with remaining caramel icing.
Notes
- Temperature matters when making caramel, so use a candy thermometer for precise results.
- Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly for a light, fluffy cake texture that melts in your mouth.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create a more consistent cake batter.
- Always let cake layers cool completely before frosting to prevent the caramel icing from melting and sliding off.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 503 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 204 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg