Caramel Cake

Ingredients
1 c butter, room temperature
2 c granulated sugar
4 eggs
3 c self-rising flour, sifted
1 c milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
FILLING
1/2 c butter
1 c packed light brown sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
FROSTING
1/2 c butter
1 c packed dark brown sugar
1/3 c heavy cream, or more if needed
1 oz (16 ounce) box confectioner sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 c chopped nuts, optional




Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy, then add granulated sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes.

2 Add eggs 1 at a time and beat well after each addition; add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed.

3 Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 4 inches above counter dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

4 FILLING: While cake is baking combine butter, brown sugar and milk in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

5 Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pan as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate.

6 Pierce cake layer with toothpick over entire surface. Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer then repeat process; top with last layer and repeat process again.

Cook notes: As you stack layer together, stick with toothpicks to prevent cake from shifting.

7 FROSTING: Melt butter in a sucepan over medium heat and stir in brown sugar and cream; bring to a boil and transfer to mixing bowl.

8 Add confectioner's sugar and vanilla; beat until it reaches a spreading consistency. At this time it may be necessary to add a tablespoon of heavy cream, or more, if frosting gets too thick. Frost cake and sprinkle top with pecan or chopped nuts, if desired.






http://www.justapinch.com/recipe/mamas-caramel-cake-by-telisia-dodd-mstexas1-feature