Classic Southern Caramel Cake

This moist, buttery, scratch, yellow cake is covered with a rich, satin caramel frosting that runs down the sides. This single layer cake is perfect if you just need a small dessert.  

Caramel Cake is a Southern Classic, and also the cake I baked myself for my Birthday. If you were raised in the South more than likely you're familiar with this traditional cake, but if you're not this one's for you. A Southern Caramel Cake is a homemade butter layer cake that is topped with a decadent boiled caramel icing. 

Heavenly if you ask me. If you saw the movie The Help than you might remember this cake mentioned several times throughout the movie. There was even a quick glimpse of this beautiful cake at the end of the movie gracing Celia's table. By far a classic caramel cake is my favorite of Southern Cakes.  

A traditional caramel cake is usually three or more layers, but I love this simple version best. If I made a full three layer cake, my family would devour the entire cake all on their own. It's that good folks! 

I found this tried and true recipe in the January 2008 edition of Gourmet magazine. It's pretty much the only caramel cake I will make. If I do go all out and bake an eye catching three layer caramel cake then I usually double this recipe or use Scott Peacock's Caramel Cake recipe. 

I have included a few step by step photos of the the boiled icing. You will need a candy thermometer when making this icing. Once the icing is at the perfect consistency.

Pour it all over the top of the cake and let it run down the sides. Goodness that's my favorite part. Enjoy!

Recipe Source: Gourmet, January 2008