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potluck caramel cake
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Potluck Caramel Cake

Potluck Caramel Cake is a velvet-y yellow cake topped with an easy caramel frosting. I gave it its name because it can be baked in a foil pan and carried along to an event.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Caramel Cake, Caramel Frosting, Potluck
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12 people
Author Anna
Cost 5

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cup 12.4 ounces all-purpose flour (350 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (230 grams)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (385 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature (240 grams)

Quick Caramel Frosting

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (114 grams)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt omit if using salted butter
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar (100 grams)
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar (100 grams)
  • ¼ cup whole milk at room temperature
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted (240 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2-4 tablespoons of milk or as needed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or use an ungreased 9x13 inch disposable foil pan.
  • Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter on medium high speed until light and creamy. Gradually add the sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl once or twice and beating for about 3 minutes or until light and creamy. Beat in the vanilla.
  • Reduce mixer speed to low and add eggs one at a time, increasing mixer speed after each egg and beating for 30 seconds. When all the eggs are added, increase speed and beat on high for about a minute.
  • Reduce speed to low and add the milk, then with mixer on the very lowest speed add flour and sour cream alternately.
  • When flour is fully incorporated, pour mixture into the pan and spread evenly.
  • Bake on center rack for about 35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched.
  • Caramel Frosting:
  • Mix the softened butter, salt and both brown sugars together in a heavy saucepan.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring often. When mixture reaches a good boil, carefully pour in the milk (it will bubble up!) and allow the mixture to return to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add confectioners’ sugar and the vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth, then pour over the came before it starts to set. The frosting should start to set almost immediately after it is poured over the cake.