Easy Homemade Caramel Cake Recipe: Sweet Golden Perfection

Homemade caramel cake represents the pinnacle of decadent dessert craftsmanship, blending sophisticated flavors with nostalgic comfort.

Sweet layers of golden sponge reimagine ordinary afternoons into memorable culinary experiences.

The delicate balance between rich caramel notes and tender cake creates an irresistible sensory journey.

Soft, pillowy textures melt effortlessly on your palate, inviting pure gastronomic pleasure.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert bridges traditional baking techniques with modern indulgence.

Its warm, buttery essence speaks directly to those craving something extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that promises pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Why This Caramel Cake Feels Like a Hug in Slice Form

• Indulge in Luxurious Layers: Each slice reveals multiple tender cake layers smothered in rich, golden caramel icing that melts in your mouth with pure comfort and decadence.
• Master Homemade Magic: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive dessert, allowing home bakers to create a stunning cake from scratch without requiring professional pastry skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Centerpiece: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, family gatherings, or holiday dessert tables, this cake guarantees smiles and seconds with its irresistible sweet caramel flavor and impressive presentation.
• Nostalgic Southern Comfort: Capturing the essence of traditional Southern baking, this cake brings a touch of warmth and heritage to your table, connecting generations through its classic, timeless recipe.

What You’ll Need for This Homemade Classic

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture for the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps keep the cake moist and soft.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cakes overall structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to cakes structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile of the cake.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component of the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess to the cake, creates tender crumb.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for caramel icing.
• Evaporated Milk: Provides creamy consistency to the icing.
• Sugar: Creates caramelization and sweetness in the icing.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the caramel icing.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides extra caramel drizzle for decoration.

How to Bake a Rich, Buttery Caramel Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Ingredients

• Butter
• Vegetable oil
• Sugar

Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream. Mix until a smooth batter forms. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.

Step 3: Bake the Cake Layers

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Step 4: Create Caramel Icing

• Evaporated milk
• Sugar

Stir constantly until fully dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 hours until the mixture thickens and turns golden.

Step 5: Finish the Caramel Icing

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes until spreadable.

Step 6: Assemble the Cake

Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thick layer of caramel icing. Add second and third layers, covering top and sides completely. If icing hardens, gently warm to make spreading easier.

Step 7: Decorate and Serve

• Chopped pecans
• Caramel sauce drizzle

Slice and serve this rich, decadent cake to eager guests.

Sweet Tips for Perfect Layers and Smooth Frosting

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth mixing and better cake texture.
• Sifting Secrets: Always sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a lighter, more even cake crumb.
• Caramel Cooking Patience: Stir the caramel icing constantly and maintain a low, steady heat to prevent burning and achieve that perfect golden color.
• Cooling Technique: Let cake layers cool completely before frosting to prevent icing from melting and sliding off.
• Icing Consistency Check: If caramel icing becomes too thick, gently reheat and add a splash of milk to restore spreadable consistency.

Best Ways to Store and Slice Caramel Cake Later

• Refrigeration: Wrap the caramel cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Seal carefully to prevent drying out and preserve moisture. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping the cake fresh and delicious.
• Room Temperature: Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its soft texture. Cold cake can become firm, so gentle warming helps restore its original tender crumb and enhances flavor.
• Freezing Method: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen caramel cake can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying for best taste and texture.

What to Serve With a Caramel Cake Dessert

• Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Complement the rich caramel cake with a glass of moscato or late harvest riesling, which will enhance the cake's sweet, buttery notes and create a luxurious dessert experience.
• Brew Bold Coffee Match: Select a robust dark roast or espresso to balance the cake's intense sweetness, cutting through the richness and providing a perfect bitter-sweet contrast.
• Nutty Accompaniment: Serve alongside toasted pecans or candied walnuts to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that harmonizes beautifully with the caramel's golden flavor profile.
• Creamy Beverage Partner: Enjoy with a cold glass of whole milk or a smooth vanilla bean milkshake, which will cool down the cake's warmth and create a comforting, nostalgic combination.

Caramel Flavors to Try in Your Next Bake

• Chocolate Caramel Fusion: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cake batter for a rich chocolate base, then layer with classic caramel icing for an indulgent chocolate-caramel combination.
• Salted Caramel Edition: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each cake layer before frosting, and mix a pinch of salt into the caramel icing to create a sophisticated sweet-salty profile.
• Nutty Caramel Adventure: Fold chopped almonds or walnuts into the cake batter, and garnish the finished cake with toasted nuts around the edges for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Spiced Caramel Sensation: Add ground cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg to the cake batter, creating a warm, aromatic version that complements the sweet caramel icing perfectly.

Homemade Caramel Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Southern charm meets sweet indulgence in this classic caramel cake. Rich caramel frosting and moist layers create a delectable dessert that delivers pure comfort with each delightful slice you savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 milliliters) cake flour (sifted)
• 6 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2½ cups (500 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure vanilla extract

Butter Ingredients:

• 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1½ sticks (170 grams) butter

Milk Ingredients:

• 2 cans of evaporated milk (12 ounces / 340 grams each)
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) pure vanilla extract (for icing)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat three 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
3. Gradually introduce eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each egg before adding the next. Blend in pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
5. Alternately fold the dry ingredient mixture and sour cream into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently to maintain the batter’s airiness and prevent overmixing.
6. Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the tops and ensure uniform layers.
7. Place the cake pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through to promote even baking. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cake layer – it should come out clean.
8. Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely.
9. For the caramel icing, melt unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add evaporated milk and granulated sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely.
10. Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Continue cooking for 45-60 minutes until the mixture thickens and turns a rich golden caramel color.
11. Remove the caramel from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract. Allow the icing to cool for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
12. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate and generously spread a thick layer of caramel icing. Carefully position the second and third layers, covering the entire cake with the remaining icing.
13. If the caramel icing becomes too firm while decorating, gently warm it over low heat to restore spreadability.
14. Optional: Garnish the cake with chopped pecans or a delicate drizzle of additional caramel sauce for extra visual appeal and flavor.
15. Slice and serve the caramel cake at room temperature, allowing guests to enjoy its rich, decadent layers.

Notes

• Elevate your baking skills with this mouthwatering caramel cake that transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert masterpiece.
• Precise oven temperature and pan preparation ensure each cake layer bakes evenly, creating a perfectly golden and tender crumb.
• Mixing techniques matter: gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Patience is key when crafting the caramel icing, allowing it to simmer and develop a rich, golden color that’s pure culinary magic.
• Layering the cake requires a delicate touch, spreading warm caramel between each tender layer for maximum flavor and visual appeal.
• Final touches like pecan garnishes or caramel drizzles elevate this homemade dessert from delicious to absolutely unforgettable.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 56g
• Sodium: 295mg
• Fat: 31g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 1.5g
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 186mg