Monday, March 7, 2011

Southern Caramel Cake



Holy Sugar Rush!
Between the cake and caramel frosting, this decadent dessert has 4 different kinds of sugar in it. Yes, 4. Dark brown, light brown, powdered, and granulated.

After I made it I was so shocked that I had to tell my friend Sam about it, and she too was shocked.
Simple vanilla cake base


I ate a piece of the cake immediately after I frosted it, and had to eat it alongside a tall glass of milk to counteract the sugar.


That was yesterday.

Today, the cake is just perfect! I came home from work and sliced a piece for myself to snack on and it was seriously so delicious!

I know it sounds weird, but I think you have to let this cake "rest" before you eat it. I'm convinced that all of the flavors need to settle down and mesh together so you don't only taste sugar.
Mmm! Caramel River!

I hope I don't scare you out of making this caramel cake becuase it is really good!

I had never heard of it until I read a great book called "The Help" about 2 weeks ago. The cake is mentioned several times throughout the book and I was dying to try a piece---so I made it.


If you want a rich and decadent cake, I would seriously give this a try. Just remember to let it sit for a couple of hours to let all the flavors  "get happy".  :)



Recipe for Caramel Frosting
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup whole milk
2 cups confectioner’s (powdered) sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place butter and light and dark brown sugars into a medium sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture combines  and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes.

Add milk and stir bringing back to a barely bubbly boil. Then remove from heat.

Add confectioner’s sugar and vanilla. Stir vigorously with wooden spoon until smooth.

Frost your cake immediately while icing is still warm or it will harden. If it does harden while you are still trying to ice your cake just place the pan back onto low heat and stir until it softens up.


Recipe I used for Cake
If you remember from my past posts, I'm not particularly fond of yellow cakes. I found one that I really enjoyed and have been using it ever since. You can find the recipe at  The Fresh Loaf.

12 comments:

  1. Caramel cake is my absolute favorite. I'm glad you gave it a try. Yours looks exceptionally delicious!

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  2. dear god that looks good... mmmmmmmm!

    -takena-

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  3. I think all that sweetness is to be expected with caramel but I'm glad it mellowed out a bit the day after! Also glad to see you're finally back!

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  4. This looks out of this world divine! I love anything with caramel so I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to eat only one piece- try the whole cake! Thanks for visiting yesterday! Your doing a great job on your blog and I am now following! Would love for you to join my recipe challenge next wednesday- here is the link to the directions,etc http://www.kitchenbelleicious.com/2011/01/2011-recipe-challenge.html

    Just send me a pic and I will link it back to your site- should help you with traffic, etc.! Have a fab day!
    Xo Jessica

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  5. That caramel looks incredible. Any cake would be so much the better with that covering it. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog and I'd like to invite you to stop by and link your cake up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweets-for-saturday-8.html

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  6. Yum! I love The Help - it was one of the best books I read last year. I read your list of sugars three times, just so I could close my eyes and imagine all of that sugary goodness!

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  7. Wow, looks decadent... love caramel!

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  8. I can't say I've ever had caramel cake! This looks and sounds delicious :)

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  9. This looks sinfully delicious, i fear if i make this I may put on my weight in sugary goodness over night but WHO CARES! Such a wonderful recipe which is being saved for rainy day baking for surrreee :)

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