Caramel Cake From The 1940s Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8" round pans or a 9 x 13 sheet cake pan.
• 2. Measure out flour and sift, then measure again for accuracy. Add baking powder, salt and sugar and sift again. Stir in remaining ingredients but DO NOT use a mixer. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. If the mixture seems too thick, you may add a little more milk.
• 3. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until cake tests done (springs back to touch or toothpick comes out clean). Do not over bake!
• 4. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes in pans. Remove from the pans and cool completely. If you're using a sheet cake pan, you may just leave it in the pan.
• 5. Frost middle, top and sides with caramel frosting. If you're making a sheet cake, frost the top.
• 6. FOR THE FROSTING: Melt butter in pan. Add brown sugar, milk, corn syrup and flavorings. Cook about two minutes over low to medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and add sugar. Mix until desired spreading consistency. If frosting is too stiff, you may add a little more milk. Spread on cooled cake.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
• Cream white sugar, 1 1/2 cups butter, and eggs together in a bowl. Beat well.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add to the sugar mixture alternately with milk. Add vanilla extract. Beat until batter makes ribbons when falling from the whisk or beater. Divide batter among the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool layers on a rack before icing, at least 1 hour.
• Combine brown sugar, 1 cup butter, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Add evaporated milk and continue stirring. Bring to a gentle boil and let bubble for about 4 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid sticking. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 5 minutes.
• Mix confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract into the butter-milk mixture using an electric mixer until icing caramelizes and thickens to the desired consistency.
• Spread icing onto the cooled cake layers. Stack layers; ice top and sides.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter two 20cm springform tins and line the bases with baking parchment.
• Beat the butter and both sugars in a bowl with an electric whisk for a few mins until lighter in colour and fluffy. Add the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour and beating in between each egg. Add the remaining flour and milk. Divide between the cake tins and bake for 25-30 mins until they're golden, spring back when pressed, and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle. Cool in the tins for a few mins, then tip out and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, for the icing, put the butter and icing sugar in a bowl and whisk for a few mins until light and airy. Whisk in the caramel briefly, adding 1 tbsp of boiling water to loosen, if needed. Set aside until the sponges are completely cool before assembling, or the icing will melt.
• Use half the icing to sandwich the cakes together, then spread the remainder over the top, smoothing it out with a knife or the back of a spoon. Leave in a cool place until ready to serve. Drizzle with the 3 tbsp extra sauce (warm briefly in the microwave if it's a little stiff), allowing some to drip down the sides if you like, and scatter over the toffee, chocolate or caramel pieces to serve. Edible glitter, birthday candles or sparklers, optional.