Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe

Let me tell you about this Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe that’s become an absolute favorite in my kitchen. The first time I tried making it, I was honestly floored by how the cake turned out so light and fluffy – like biting into a sweet little cloud, but with just the perfect touch of salted caramel goodness that hits your taste buds just right.

This recipe works beautifully for nearly any special occasion, from Sunday family dinners to birthday celebrations, and trust me, it’s well worth the effort. You’ll find that the balance of sweet and salty, with that irresistibly soft crumb, is something everyone raves about – and it’s one of those recipes you’ll want to keep coming back to again and again.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a meaningful role in this Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe. I always use cake flour instead of all-purpose for the tenderest crumb, and fresh buttermilk adds just enough tang to elevate the flavor.

• Cake Flour: This lighter flour ensures the cake stays soft and tender, which is key for that cloud-like texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps retain moisture for a perfectly soft crumb.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Together, these leaveners give the cake just the right rise without drying it out.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness wonderfully.
• Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): Soft butter blends better with other ingredients and creates that rich, buttery flavor.
• Buttermilk: Provides acidity that reacts with the baking soda for extra rise and a subtle tang.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds that sweet, warm note that rounds out the flavor perfectly.
• Eggs (Room Temperature): Eggs build structure and contribute to the tender, moist texture.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Crucial for the deep, rich caramel flavor in the frosting – packed for maximum taste.
• Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess to the frosting, helping it stay smooth and luscious.
• Powdered Sugar: For a silky, spreadable frosting consistency without graininess.
• Distilled White Vinegar: Surprising ingredient that brightens the frosting’s flavor and balances sweetness.
• Flaky Salt: The final flourish sprinkled on top adds gorgeous contrast and crunch.

Variations

I love keeping this cake classic, but it’s so easy to customize to your liking. You’ll find that little changes can add seasonal or dietary twists without losing that signature softness and flavor.

• Nutty Upgrade: I’ve mixed chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the frosting before for a delightful crunch that complements the caramel beautifully.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swapping cake flour for a gluten-free blend works surprisingly well here, just be sure to measure carefully and don’t overmix.
• Salted Caramel Bourbon Twist: Adding a tablespoon of bourbon to the frosting is a grown-up twist my family goes crazy for during holidays.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Coconut cream and vegan butter allow you to enjoy a similarly luscious frosting without dairy.

How to Make Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pans Like a Pro

Line your two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and give them a quick spray of nonstick spray first to ensure the parchment sticks nicely. I discovered folding the parchment carefully into a triangle and trimming it to perfectly fit the round pan saves paper and makes peeling the cakes off like a breeze later on.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Add Butter

In your stand mixer bowl, sift together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on low speed until everything’s combined. Then add the room-temperature butter cut into chunks, beating until the mixture looks like wet sand. This texture is critical for your cake’s tender crumb–don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Buttermilk, Vanilla, and Eggs

Slowly mix in the buttermilk and vanilla extract, beating for about 2 minutes. This is a key step I learned really helps the cake develop structure without sinking, so don’t skip the extended mixing time here. Then, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl. The batter should be smooth, creamy, and fluffy.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between the pans and gently bang them on the counter to pop any air bubbles. Bake at 325°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and springs back lightly when pressed. For me, poking with an instant-read thermometer to reach about 205°F in the center ensures perfect doneness every time.

Step 5: Make the Salted Caramel Frosting

While the cakes cool, melt 1 stick of butter in a saucepan and whisk in the packed dark brown sugar until the mixture bubbles and smooths out, around 4 to 8 minutes. Then, stir in the heavy cream and cook a bit more to reincorporate the bubbles. Pour this into your mixer bowl and add powdered sugar gradually, along with salt. Once combined, beat in the remaining butter one piece at a time and finish with white vinegar for that extra gentle tang.

My biggest tip with this frosting is to work with it when it’s still slightly warm – it spreads like a dream. If it cools too much, it firms up and becomes tough to work with.

Step 6: Assemble Your Cake

Remove the cakes from their pans, peeling off the parchment paper carefully. Place one cake layer right side up on your cake stand or plate, then spread about a cup of frosting evenly over the top, pushing almost edge to edge. Invert the second cake layer on top and frost all around the cake quickly before the frosting firms up.

Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt on top for that irresistible salted caramel crunch. Let your cake sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes so the frosting settles just right before slicing.

How to Serve Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple–a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before serving is my favorite. Sometimes I add a few chopped toasted pecans around the edges for a little extra texture and just a hint of nuttiness that plays beautifully with the caramel.

Side Dishes

Pairing this cake with a fresh cup of rich coffee or a glass of cold milk is a classic combo I never tire of. For brunch gatherings, serving with fresh berries or a lightly whipped cream adds a bright counterpoint without overpowering the flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered the cake on an elegant cake stand and gone for a rustic look by using a palette knife to give the frosting a soft, swirled finish. Adding edible flowers or caramel drizzle around the base makes it feel extra festive—like a dessert you’d see at a Southern wedding!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve found that wrapping leftover cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and storing them at room temperature keeps them wonderfully moist for up to 2 days. When the cake is fully assembled, keeping it covered loosely with a cake dome at cool room temp preserves the fresh texture without the frosting getting too firm or greasy.

Freezing

Freezing cake layers individually, well wrapped in plastic, works great if you want to prepare in advance. I usually thaw them wrapped at room temperature before frosting and assembling. I don’t recommend freezing the assembled cake because the frosting tends to change texture once frozen.

Reheating

If you have leftover slices, I like gently warming them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to bring back that soft, just-baked feeling. Just watch closely so it doesn’t dry out or overheat the frosting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cloud-Soft Salted Caramel Cake (Southern Style) Recipe turns out every single time – it’s like wrapping a warm hug in cake form. Sharing it with family and friends always brings smiles and happy memories. I hope you give this one a try and enjoy the effortless elegance of its tender crumb and rich caramel flavor as much as I do; it’s truly a Southern-inspired treasure you’ll want in your baking repertoire forever.

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