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Paw Paw's Birthday Caramel Cake with Caramel Frosting

Source of Recipe

From "My Mother's Southern Desserts" by James Villas


Recipe Introduction

"Mercy, this cake is wonderful, and I can remember, as a child, looking forward to my grandfather Paw Paw's birthday, only because I knew Mother would be making a big caramel cake for him and I'd be allowed to lick the frosting bowl and spoon. (She now makes it for my birthday.) The cake has been in our family at least four generations, and Mother has already handed down the recipe to my young niece. For me, this has always been the supreme birthday cake. Paw Paw had to have vanilla ice cream with his cake; I like mine plain - and eaten with my fingers."

List of Ingredients

• 2â…” cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Caramel Frosting (recipe follows)


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch square baking pans, tapping out any excess flour, and set aside.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-size mixing bowl and mix well. In a large mixing bowl, cream the granulated sugar and butter together with an electric mixer till light and fluffy, then add the egg yolks one at a time, beating after each till creamy. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. In another large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites till stiff peaks form, then fold them gently into the batter. Stir in the vanilla. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pans and bake till a cake tester or straw inserted in the centers comes out clean, 20 to 30 minutes.

Stack the layers on top of each other, spreading the frosting over the top of each layer, then all around the sides, with a knife.

Makes one three layer 9-inch square cake
(10 to 12 servings)



Caramel Frosting:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter
• 1½ cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the brown sugar and milk and, stirring, bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool, then gradually add the confectioners' sugar and stir till well blended and very smooth.

Makes about 3 cups frosting